FIU will be participating this month in the national effort to celebrate International Education Week (from November 16 to November 20).  International Education Week (IEW) has been designated by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education as a time to highlight the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide and to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment.

At the Modesto Maidique Campus, International Student & Scholar Services, Education Abroad, and Career Services are leading efforts to organize activities for the week, but many offices and units as well as student organizations are participating in this truly university-wide event.  Other key players include the Diplomat in Residence, the Graham Center, Residential Life, the Victim Advocacy Center, the Disability Resource Center, Athletics, Recreation Services, the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy, the Office of Global Learning Initiatives, Student Government Association and International Student Club.

One emphasis of IEW will be to promote opportunities to study and work abroad.  The first day of the week will also mark the opening of an art and photography exhibit of works by FIU students inspired or created while participating in FIU study abroad programs.  The Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday, November 17 will help students learn about the variety of overseas programs available to them as FIU students.  Programming for the week will also include student panels and information sessions on study abroad and international internships, digital video conferences with Department of State officials, and visits by local consulates.

The week will also provide a series of activities that highlight other cultures which are designed to be both fun and educational.  The Opening Ceremony will include an International Food Festival in the Graham Center, which will offer the cuisine of several local restaurants representing a diverse spectrum of world regions.  Residential Life will host a trip “Around the World” in the residence halls as well as an international photo contest.  Other events include cultural performances, international films, an international trivia competition and the “FIU Cup” mini-World Cup Soccer Tournament.

At the Biscayne Bay Campus, the inter-departmental committee includes International Student and Scholar Services, Campus Life and Orientation, Multicultural Programs and Services, the Center for Leadership and Service, the Women’s Center, Housing & Residential Life, University Health Services, the Wellness Center, Career Services, Student Programming Council, Student Government Association and Recreation Services.  The International Week committee collaborated to create a week filled with informative and fun activities for the students. 

Kick off Day will start the week on Monday at BBC with cultural displays, international dancing, a martial arts performance, a chance for students to test their global IQ and win prizes, and the Faces of the World exhibit, followed by an international cooking demonstration that evening in Housing.  Venture Abroad Day on Tuesday will provide students the opportunity to obtain more information about Study Abroad, Fulbright scholarships, Peace Corps, International Alternative Spring Break, the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program (JET), and to network with consulates from the Miami area.  Wednesday will celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with a speaker, a forgiveness ceremony, an On-Point Poetry presentation, and a self-defense class; followed by an international dinner and dancing, sponsored by Housing.  International Career Day on Thursday will include an International Job Search Strategies workshop, an Engage Workshop on Global Leadership, and a Job Search Strategies Workshop for International Students, followed by an International Late Day Latte that evening.  The week will conclude with an International Film Festival Day on Friday, with international movies playing throughout the day in the WUC Theater.

The full schedule will be available on the International Student & Scholar Services  website at http://isss.fiu.edu/iew.htm 

For more information about individual events, please contact the sponsor directly or contact Jessica Larsen at jlarsen@fiu.edu for MMC or Julie Wilbers at jwilbers@fiu.edu for BBC.