Celebrating World Cultures with International Education Week at St. Mary’s

NEWS EDITOR – ASHTON JEFFERS

ORGINALLY PRINTED ON ONV 28, 2022

Want to get away before the holidays? Students, faculty and staff can look further with the many activities and events planned during International Education Week. Between Nov. 14 and Nov. 18, St. Mary’s welcomed International Educational Week (IEW) for the first time in a long time. IEW is an initiative developed by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to recognize the global exchange environment between the United States and other countries. International Education Week has taken place at universities all over the United States to celebrate and learn about the benefits of international education and study abroad opportunities. This is especially important to celebrate now, coming out of a worldwide pandemic where many students spent quarantined in their homes and unable to experience traveling abroad or taking a chance to gain the full experience of what study abroad opportunities are available. 

Students trying different snacks from abroad and the world | Photo by Ashton Jeffers

Director of the Center for International Programs, Maria del Mar Aponte Rodriguez, shared some of what went into the planning and events students had the chance to experience throughout IEW. Aponte Rodriguez opened up about hosting a variety of activities throughout the week to bring attention to the different aspects of cultures around the world where students can study abroad. On Monday, students could experience the kick-off for IEW at the Barrett Memorial Bell Tower. They had the opportunity to sample different teas and coffee from around the world while also trying some desserts. Aponte Rodriguez shared that the International Tea and Coffee Hour was something she and Assistant Director of Study Abroad and Exchange Programs, Stephanie Ramin, researched. “International Education Week is not just at our university,” Aponte Rodriguez stated. “It’s universities all around the United States that celebrate international student cultural exchange and the internationalization of our campuses. We looked into what other institutions have done in the past to get inspiration…We thought that we have the space to have students try both tea or coffee and provide that opportunity to them.” Aponte Rodriguez and Ramin baked all the desserts to pair with tea and coffee, which helps to let students with any food allergies know what food they may want to try. 

Students promoting the Italian Club | Photo by Ashton Jeffers

Other events during IEW included Language Lightning Tables hosted by the Center for International Programs and St. Mary’s Department of Languages on Tuesday, Nov. 15, where students could learn about how to utilize different words or phrases in a particular language or be around others where they can converse in those languages. Following this session was a study abroad information session. 

It included information for students interested in studying abroad and answered any questions about the process. Another major event was the International Fair and Trivia Night on Wednesday, Nov. 16, which had games, food and other informational activities related to international education and the study abroad experience. Other events that focused on cultural traditions were the Origami and Cumbia Dance Workshop. Students could create origami, learn the art of paper folding and how to dance cumbia later that evening on Thursday, Nov. 17. Other organizations on campus participated 

in event planning during IEW. One example of this was a Korean Culture Event hosted by the King Sejong Institute based on St. Mary’s campus and led by visiting Korean instructors held on Friday, Nov. 18, outside of the University Center. Activities included how to write your name in Korean, trying on traditional hanbok or Korean clothing, sampling Korean snacks and playing traditional Korean games. 

Learning about study abroad opportunities at the International Education Fair | Photo by Ashton Jeffers

With all these exciting activities, students may be wondering what the next steps they can take if they are interested in becoming more involved with international education and studying abroad. Stephanie Ramin shared options for students who wish to study abroad but may worry about leaving home to study in a country with an unfamiliar culture. “We’re here to assist them with their endeavor,” Ramin stated. “We’re there every step of the way, from helping them decide programs if they’re not sure where to begin all the way through pre-departure.” The Center for International Programs is here to support students in any way they can through advising and other campus programs where students can learn more about international education and study abroad experiences. To see what other events and opportunities are available through the Center for International Programs, follow the Center for International Programs and Rattlers Abroad on Instagram by scanning the QR codes below.