VCU Celebrates International Education Week

By V. Renee Russell
VCU Global Education Office

This week VCU celebrates International Education Week, which focuses on the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. departments of State and Education was first held in 2000, and today is celebrated in more than 100 countries.

For members of the VCU community, International Education Week will be an opportunity to learn something new, to discover international opportunities such as study abroad and to meet individuals from other parts of the world. This initiative supports the university’s strategic goal to provide students with high quality experiences focused on inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global environment.

As part of the celebration, the VCU Global Education Office has organized several specific events to celebrate international diversity at VCU. In addition, the office will recognize events being hosted by other offices around campus.

VCU Education Abroad will offer opportunities for students to hear from others about their experiences and the process of studying abroad. In addition, throughout the week, previous study abroad participants will be on campus, conspicuously wearing “Education Abroad” T-shirts and buttons that say “Ask me about my study abroad.”

Also, representatives from the Washington Passport Agency will be on campus to provide information and assist student with applying for passports. 

An International Education Week Fair will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Rodney’s at Shafer Court Dining Center. The fair is co-sponsored by the Global Education Office, VCU Dining Services and the VCU Department of Music. During this time, guests can sample international cuisine from participating local restaurants and learn more about international opportunities on campus, including Education Abroad, VCU Globe and Community Connections. Cultural performances and international music selections will also be featured.

Throughout the week, VCU Dining Services will also host “Tastes from around the World” in Shafer Court Dining Center. During this event, cuisine from a different part of the world will be featured each day.

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will host a screening of “Becoming American: The Chinese Experience,” as part of their Diversity Film Series on Monday, Nov. 12, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VCU has also partnered with the University of Richmond to expand opportunities to meet international students within the Greater Richmond community

While International Education Week has been celebrated by individual units on campus in the past, this is the inaugural campus-wide celebration. For a full schedule of events, visit www.global.vcu.edu/iew.

Subscribe to the weekly VCU News email newsletter at http://newsletter.news.vcu.edu/ and receive a selection of stories, videos, photos, news clips and event listings in your inbox every Thursday.