The Global Engagement Team's International Education Week Poster
The Global Engagement Team’s International Education Week Poster.
International Education Week, started by the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers, is a week that many universities celebrate across the nation. The week is meant to celebrate students studying internationally or learning about other cultures. This year is Wartburg’s first time celebrating it, and Kassy Grosser, director of global engagement in the student life department, had some insights for students interested in the activities from Nov. 17 to Nov. 21.
The week began with Monday, Nov. 17’s event, Peaceful Forest Taiko Drum Circle performing in the Lyceum from 7 to 8p.m. This group, the Kato Family Taiko Drum Ensemble, is traveling across the U.S.A with the goal of performing in all fifty states. Dr. Joyce Boss, Professor of English, was able to put together this event by contacting the group, as they will be in town at UNI as well. This event is not only free but open to the community as well.
On Nov. 18 there was the Coffee and Tea from Around the World event from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Hub Lounge.
“In other cultures, it’s actually a time for community, and a time to pause, or conversation and so really we wanted to bring some of those elements,” says Grosser.
She added that if it goes well, they hope it can become a more regular event at Wartburg, outside of International Education Week.
This event was open house style, with light music, samples and the Global Engagement Team was available for tours of their office and information. Thinkwell, a local coffee company, donated all the coffee and chose the specific flavors and locations. There was coffee from countries such as Peru and Ethiopia. International students have been giving tea recommendations, and the tea included guayusa from Ecuador, chai and a selection of herbal teas.
On Wednesday, there will be an International Dinner in the Castle Room. and many other countries. Registration for this is already closed.
Thursday’s event, The Value of Education Abroad, is also in the Castle Room and features four keynote speakers about international education experiences. The different keynote speakers will include an international student talking about coming to study in a different country, a student who is currently abroad for a semester, a student who has been on a May term trip and a student who is doing service work internationally. There will also be a discussion and a Q&A portion.
Friday’s Culture Festival event asks for an RSVP so they can count numbers for snacks, but it is free and open to the community. This event will feature music DJ’d by students and CulturalALL, a group that serves Iowa, who will be sending ambassadors to perform salsa with a teaching portion.
“We didn’t want to put any expectations on our students,” Grosser adds. “We wanted to provide a fun space for all of our students just to come and be.”
With these events, Grosser says the goal is to incite curiosity, understanding and awareness. She hopes that through this week students can appreciate the value of diverse cultures and perspectives.
Grosser thinks that students should attend these events to facilitate discovery and growth as a person.
“I think that discovery will unleash an openness that will help students grow as humans and as professionals,” says Grosser.
All of these events, excluding Wednesday’s dinner, are open and free to students and the community. The Global Engagement Team hopes to see students there.