In its 25th year, International Education Week provides a spotlight for VCU’s global engagement

By Nicol Tinsley
Global Education Office

Virginia Commonwealth University will celebrate International Education Week next week - Nov. 17-21 - as the initiative marks a quarter-century of showcasing the power of global connections among students, faculty and staff.

First held in 2000, IEW is now celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide. It promotes programs that prepare Americans for a global environment, and it attracts future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences. For many years, VCU has supported this special week by featuring activities and events that spotlight the benefits of study abroad as well as the contributions international students bring to VCU.

"International Education Week provides an opportunity to highlight the many positive outcomes of international education - from the contributions of international scholars and students to the learning experiences and cultural agility afforded by study abroad," said Jill Blondin, Ph.D., vice provost of global initiatives in VCU's Global Education Office.

Among notable events during this year's International Education Week:

• The popular Dine Around the World experience in the Shafer Court Dining Center (Monday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) will kick off the week, allowing students to sample cuisines from various countries.
• The VCU Globe Speakers Series is new this year, with the IEW installment (Tuesday, Nov. 18, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Commons, Virginia Rooms C-D) featuring Lorato Koosaletse, a VCU Humphrey Fellowfrom Botswana. She will share her journey from leading Botswana's first outpatient rehabilitation center to engaging in global leadership and policy development in the U.S..
• The annual International Scholars Reception (Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the College of Humanities and Sciences' STEM Building) will recognize scholars attending VCU on a J-1 visa. Interim Provost Beverly Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., will speak about their accomplishments and contributions to VCU.

Other events include VISA - the VCU International Student Achievement series - that will consist of advisor-led virtual workshops on topics relevant to the university's F-1 students; the two-day International Joint Research Symposium; and numerous study abroad information sessions, which will highlight opportunities for students during winter and spring breaks, as well the spring semester.

For a full list of activities, visit the International Education Week schedule page.

This year, IEW is supported by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Forum on Education Abroad and the Association of International Education Administrators.