International Education Week has been a staple of the academic year since its inception three years ago. Held to promote a global environment and attract students from abroad to study in the United States, the program is a nationwide event.
Founded by Former President William Clinton, the program is run through the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education and involves hundreds of universities across the country.
"At the study abroad day I was able to collect information on all the different options I have to visit other countries. I probably would have never found it all if it wasn't all in one place at one time," said Mike Humphrey, a senior pre-law student that attended last year's International Education Week. "It was also cool to learn about the different cultures at UB from the events that were going on that week."
According to the program's official Web site, http://exchanges.state.gov, the founders of the program suggest activities such as adopting a school in a developing country, developing a pen pal program, or holding international career or study abroad fairs to celebrate.
"(International Education Week) is a combination of purely cultural aspects and cultural dimension of the U.S. as seen through other eyes," said Ellen Dussourd, director of International Student and Scholar Services.
Since the Sept. 11 tragedy last year, International Education Week has taken on new meaning as the United States realizes how important it is to broaden international understanding. Valuing international education is extremely critical in achieving this goal, according to Dussourd.
"People-to-people diplomacy created through international education and exchanges is critical to our national interests. Americans who study abroad expand their global perspective and become more internationally engaged," stated Secretary of State Colin Powell in his International Education Week Statement. "Foreign students and individuals who participate in citizen exchange return home with a greater knowledge of our democratic institutions."
According to the grant proposal for International Education Week, UB enrolls over 3,000 international students each year.
This year's International Education Week, being held from Nov. 18 through the 22, will include presentations about the Peace Corps, Fulbright grants and those who have participated in Study Abroad programs, and will be given by many international students. There will also be presentations given by three foreign faculty members.
International Students will be presenting aspects of their culture to both UB students and students in Buffalo's City Honors High School, and at Buffalo's Tapestry Charter Elementary School.
This year's events are planned to be of much greater scale than last year's and will not only involve the university, but the community as well.
"To expand the scope this year, we're bringing the event into local grade and high schools. I would really like some of the international organizations to come into classrooms with us and teach a little about their culture," said Eric Comins, an international student advisor.
Events at UB presented by students will include a Cyrillic Writing Demonstration presented by the Bulgarian Student Association, a Mongolian dance performance presented by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, and a percussion performance presented by the Korean Folk Art Club.
In Buffalo, there will be a film festival featuring international films such as "Pieces d' Identite" and "Shower," shown at the Market Arcade, as well as the Student Union Theater, according to Dussourd. The films will be shown at 3 p.m. in the Student Union on Nov. 18 and Nov. 22.
"What we hope to accomplish is to give students a better idea of how we are seen outside the U.S.," said Dussourd.
If you are interested in finding out more about International Education Week, call an international student advisor at 645-2258 or by visiting www.wings.buffalo.edu/intlservices/index.html.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
