“Celebrating Global NIU” is the theme for this year’s International Education Week, which begins Monday, Nov. 13, and runs through Friday, Nov. 17.
Sponsored by the Division of International Affairs, International Education Week draws attention to NIU’s increasing strides towards internationalization at NIU. This year’s theme celebrates NIU’s many opportunities for allowing students, faculty and staff to experience internationalization and achieve global competency.
Highlights include a volunteer opportunity with Feed My Starving Children, a Chinese music concert, a Middle Eastern music concert, a Study Abroad Reunion, a Floating Lantern Festival and a Culture Fest. Additional events include the Asian American Resource Center hosting a Diversity Dialogues Series featuring Ju Hong as part of their OHANA program on Tuesday, Nov. 14, and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies hosting speaker Dr. Alicia Turner from York University on Friday, Nov. 17. The Division will focus on achievements in international education with the announcement of winners of campus international education awards, including an outstanding international educator award. International menus are being offered in the residence halls and Blackhawk Food Court all week long, and international displays are up in the Holmes Student Center and Founders Memorial Library. Information on Southeast Asian languages will be available each day from 10 a.m. – noon at a table on the main floor of DuSable Hall, sponsored by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies.
There are also several campus activities open to all. These include:
- Tuesday, Nov. 7. Middle Eastern Music Concert sponsored by the School of Music, 6:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Music Building.
- Wednesday, Nov. 8. Chinese Music Concert sponsored by the School of Music, 6:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Music Building.
- Friday, Nov. 10. A pre-International Education Week event includes the opportunity to volunteer with Feed My Starving Children, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Contact the International Student and Faculty Office (ISFO) at isfo@niu.edu or 753-1346 to register.
- Monday, Nov. 13. Cookie giveaway, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the MLK Commons, DuSable Hall, and Barsema Hall.
- Tuesday, Nov. 14. International Dress Day where faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to wear their favorite clothing, accessories, or apparel from the cultures of their choice; the International Recognition Reception, 12:00 p.m. in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center; OHANA Diversity Dialogues Series featuring Ju Hong, 5:00 p.m. in the Sandburg Auditorium of the Holmes Student Center, sponsored by the Asian American Resource Center along with the Office of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, DreamACTion NIU, the Latino Resource Center, the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies, and the NIU School of Law.
- Wednesday, Nov. 15. Student Panel Educate Global: Summer Teaching Abroad from the Students’ Perspective, 12:20 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. in room 146 of Gabel Hall, sponsored by the College of Education; Graduate Colloquium: Dr. Araceli Masterson-Algar from Augustana College, 6:00 p.m. in room 305 of the Holmes Student Center, sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Graduate School, and the Iberian Studies Group.
- Thursday, Nov. 16. “Living with Nature: The Dutch Approach to Sustainable Water Management; History, Current Practice and International Context,” Louis Piet, Consul General for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chicago, 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. in the Heritage Room of the Holmes Student Center, sponsored by the School of Public and Global Affairs and the Zeta Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Delta International Honors Society; Culture Fest, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the Atrium and Auditorium of Wirtz Hall, sponsored by the Southeast Asia Club.
- Friday Nov. 17. “From Colonial Law to Ko Ni: Genealogies of Religious Tolerance and Intolerance in Burma,” Dr. Alicia Turner from York University, 12:00 p.m. in room 100 of the Campus Life Building, sponsored by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Graduate School, and the Division of International Affairs; Floating Lantern Festival: Learn How to Make and Launch Lanterns, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the East Lagoon on NIU’s DeKalb Campus, sponsored by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, the Southeast Asia Club, and the Thai Language Program.
- Monday, Nov. 20. The International Student and Faculty Office (ISFO) will host a special Thanksgiving dinner for all international students. The dinner will be held in the evening at the Holmes Student Center. RSVP to invitation is required to attend.
In addition to public activities, the Division of International Affairs is also hosting a number of invitation-only events during the week, including a reception for study abroad program directors. And on November 16, Phi Beta Delta, the international honor society, will induct new members.
In addition to public activities, the Division of International Affairs is also hosting a number of invitation-only events during the week, including a reception for study abroad program directors. And on Thursday, Nov. 16, Phi Beta Delta, the international honor society, will induct new members.
For further details, contact International Affairs at 815-753-9526 or slindell@niu.edu.
