Celebrating with campuses across the nation and in over 100 countries around the world, DU’s international education departments are prepping for the International Education Week scheduled for Nov. 12-15.
Various programs at DU have teamed up for the week, planning a free movie at the International House, an opportunity for students to test global IQs on Driscoll Bridge and international cuisine served throughout the week in Nelson Dining Hall.
The annual week focusing on international education and exchange aims to promote international understanding and build support for international educational exchange.
“At DU, students and the administration are engaged in the process of internationalization every day,” said Ved Nanda, the vice provost for the Office of Internationalization. “However, this International Education Week is a special occasion for us to celebrate as well as reflect on how far we have come and how much more we need to do to reach our goal of total campus internationalization.”
Celebrating the International Education Week for the third annual year, DU learned of the event through the Association of International Educators.
“It’s really an opportunity to bring out the international components that are already available on campus,” said Allison Fitzgerald, the interim Director of the International Students’ Scholar Services. “We’re trying to participate in that same spirit of trying to put attention towards internationalization.”
Though a substantial student turnout is not expected for the week’s activities, Fitzgerald hopes to find 20-30 students at the film screening scheduled for Friday.
The French film, “The Spanish Apartment,” will be shown at the International House on Friday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. The event is welcome to all students for free.
Students can also stop by the Driscoll Bridge on Nov. 8 and 9 and Nov. 12-14 from 11:30-1:30 to test individual global IQs and to gain more information about the week and international involvement.
Fitzgerald attributes the timing of the week with a potential lack of student interest.
“I think that timing-wise, it’s not necessarily scheduled for the best of times because the week is modeled after the semester system. At DU, unfortunately, finals are coming up. I think that’s a challenge.”
However, Fitzgerald understands the benefits of the week’s events highlighting international education, hoping to add to the celebration in future years.
“I think that in itself, the event is a good thing to do and is something that can be certainly expanded upon in upcoming years. Other schools try to do their big, annual event during the week as well. At DU we do the Festival of Nations in April. So that’s something to think about in the future. It would be nice to have a big, culminating event like that at the end of the week.”
In honor of the week, students are also encouraged to research international programs and activities available at DU including the study abroad programs, the international student organizations and cultural events at the International House.
