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International Education Week 2021 at Nebraska November 1 - 24, 2021

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and Department of Education, International Education Week (IEW) showcases the efforts of programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States. The annual event also highlights international diversity and experiencing new cultures.

International Education Week expands to a month-long celebration, highlighting Nebraska's global community

This year, the official celebrations ran from November 15 to 19. However, to provide additional flexibility for students' schedules and to further elevate the power of global education, the IEW at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln celebration has been extended to a month-long celebration from November 1 to 24, 2021. To learn more about International Education Week, visit the Department of State website.

“This expanded International Education Week is our chance to increase student exposure to such opportunities and connect more closely with our international community here in Lincoln.” - Josh Davis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs

Largest-ever International Education Week introduces students to new global opportunities

2021 Diwali Night

Nov. 6 – The Indian Student Association celebrates Diwali – India's biggest holiday – with a synchronized traditional dance, songs and traditional Indian dish from local businesses, with the support from Global Affairs and the Indian Association of Nebraska-Lincoln.

"During Diwali, being away from home makes it difficult because in India. ISA made the feeling of homesickness go away by celebrating Diwali here in Lincoln." - Ashna Gehlot, junior, global studies.
At their celebration, ISA reminded the community that Diwali signified the time to celebrate the triumphs of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil.

International Student Career Pathway

Nov. 9 – The International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) hosted a panel discussion, where Nebraska international alumni in academic and non-academic fields spoke about their professional journey.

The International Student Career Pathway was very helpful, as I got to hear several perspectives and helpful tips that ranged from personal level to professional levels for finding job, grad schools, OPT and CPT." - Sandhya Karki, junior, nutritional science & dietetics
Following the panel, Career Services, Graduate Studies and Global Strategies provided an opportunity to help review résumés, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles and professional headshots.

Global Hot Drinks

Nov. 10 – To celebrate the cultures and traditions of students that make Husker a global community, the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO), OASIS and Kawasaki Reading Room served hot drinks from Mexico, Malaysia United Kingdom, Vietnam, India and Japan.

"Events during IEW week, such as Global Hot Drinks, allow us to see beyond from what we are used to, and these opportunities make me grow as a person as I'm becoming a citizen of the world." - Carolina Friaz Diaz, Student Coordinator for the International Business Program
At Global Hot Drinks, the university community was welcome to grab a complimentary drink and learn about the story behind each cup! Funding support came from Programs in English as a Second Language (PIESL) and the Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management Department.

CASNR Professional Language Café Drop-In

Nov. 11, 12 and 18 – The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) Global Learning Hub provided an opportunity for students to practice their Spanish, Portuguese and French in the context of their discipline – whether that's for classes, research or future professional interests.

International Fellowships for Students

Nov. 12 – The Office of National & International Fellowships guided undergraduate students interested in building stronger relationships between nations and cultures while elevating their international education experience through graduate study abroad scholarships and English teaching opportunities. Watch the replay on the Career Services website!

Both in-person and Zoom sessions discussed the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Gilman Scholarship, Critical Language Scholarship, Boren Awards, Cargill Global Scholars, UK Summer Institutes, and Schwarzman Scholars program and more.

CEHS CARES: Refugee Donation Drive

“Lincoln should be very proud of our impact and the lives we are helping,” - Madison Woltemath, Events and Outreach Manager of the College of Education & Human Sciences

Nov. 13 – The College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) partnered with the Refugee Empowerment Center to host a donation drive and spread community awareness of approximately 775 incoming Afghan refugees in Lincoln through monetary and clothing donations.

The Refugee Empowerement Center hosted a booth to sell candles from Project Refuge, a small business program developed to give refugee women formal work experience. © Office of Global Strategies
Clothing and monetary donations will be sent to the Refugee Empowerment Center for incoming refugees. © College of Education and Human Sciences

Multicultural Mixer: Unpacking "BiPoc"

Nov. 15 – The Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services (OASIS), Student Advisory Board (OSAB) and the Chancellor's Commission on the Status of People of Color invited students from all majors to the Multicultural Mixer to learn from a panel discussing "Unpacking BIPoC" and the impacts of the term in sociopolitical lenses.

Panelists included Nebraska staff and faculty Ashlee Young, Wahadi A. Allen, Dr. Margaret Huettl and Dr. Chittaranjan Ray (left to right).
Dr. Margaret Huettl, an assistant professor in History and Ethnic Studies, spoke on her identity as an Indigenous woman and how intergenerational trauma shaped her experiences as a professor.
Ashlee Young, assistant director of Thompson Scholars Learning Community and coordinator for First Generation Nebraska, spoke about her identity as an Asian American cisgender female.
Students, staff and faculty also shared their thoughts and goals to learn more about the socio-political impacts of the term BIPoC.

CAST's World DownSideUp

Nov. 15 to 19 – The Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) held an interactive upside-down map trivia game to guide students to learn how to get outside of comfort zones and see the world from a new perspective.

"The World DownSideUp game was created as a tool to get students outside of their comfort zone and seeing the world in a new way, things that students are often finding themselves doing during their time in college." -Donny Bui, Academic Success Coach.
The Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) is one of the new campus partners that collaborated for the International Education Week.

Cooking, Culture & CASNR: Indian Cuisine

Nov. 16 – Students and community members expanded their culinary repertoire while learning about different cultures through this session hosted by the Wellness Kitchen and CASNR Global Learning Hub. Attendees learned how to cook tandoori chicken, sautéed vegetables and naan, and how research at IANR bridges the distance between the Indian food many of us enjoy and the agricultural practices that support it.

"I was fascinated by the information about the diversity of foods found across India, the impact of economic globalization on Indian cuisine, and especially the bit about how the style of cooking Tandoori chicken was developed based on the tools available in the Punjab region at the time it was first made." - Velma Lockman, junior, history

Global Virtual Alumni Parade

Nov. 15 - 19 – To honor International Education Week, Global Affairs and Nebraska Alumni Association shared stories of Nebraska alumni on social media to highlight the value of experiencing new cultures and international education for today's interconnected world.

The virtual parade highlighted Nebraska graduates who made a difference in the local and global community.

Wiebers Scholarship Reception

Nov. 16 – The Education Abroad Office and university community celebrated students and alumni who were the recipients of the Edythe Wiebers International Studies Program Scholarship. The recipients thanked the Wiebers family for the support of UNL students extending their education beyond the classroom and building their skills in another language.

"This scholarship not only allowed me to accomplish my dream of studying abroad, but prepared me for my future career and inspired my passion to encourage other students to explore global opportunities." - Courtney Van Hoosen, 2015 recipient

Global Café and Connections

Nov. 16 – The signature event of 2021 International Education Week, the College of Business and Global Affairs hosted Global Café and Connections, where students, staff and faculty experienced a taste of the world from Lincoln's ethnic restaurants.

"The Global Café and Connections is an amazing place to expand your horizons on different cultures while chatting among your peers. It is a way to educate yourself about different cultures further while possibly educating others about your own culture." - Tyanna Monson, sophomore, international business

In partnership with the College of Business and Global Affairs, Global Café and Connections allowed students to explore the world through local-global cuisine adventures that included student performances, conversations with new friends and food from local ethnic restaurants.

"So proud of all the students who worked hard to make this happen! The leadership team, the local restaurants, the vendor host student orgs, the performers and everyone who came out! What a celebration of the beautiful diversity in Lincoln and all the amazing people who call it home." - Mikki Sandin, International Business & Inclusion Coordinator.
Student organizations hosts and performers included AgShields, Asian Student Union, LiveLyve Band, Indian Student Association, Mexican American Student Association, Nebraska University Malaysian Student Association (NUMSA), Nepali Student Association, Omani Student Association, Russian Club, Rwanda Student Association, Saving Fiona and Vietnamese Student Association.
Emceed by students in the College of Business, the event included a rich variety of countries, dances, cultures, food and languages among the Nebraska community. © Nebraska Business
Local ethnic restaurants included Blue Orchid, Grey Whale Sushi & Grill, Hacienda Real, Mughil's Indian Cuisine Rendang Malaysia, Stur 22 and Sultan's Kite. © Nebraska Business

Global Greetings 101

¡Hola! Bom dia! Marhaba!

Nov. 18 – Students from the Business International Student Association taught common greetings and name pronunciation in Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.

"Students should be involved in these events to learn and know about others from different cultural backgrounds than theirs. In this way, the students will be well connected with others, and they will expand their social circles by gaining new friendships with other students from different cultures around the world." - Almoatasim Al Hasani, junior, finance
Almoatasim Al Hasani of Oman introduced his culture to students by teaching common Arabic greetings.
Students also learned standard Spanish greetings and how they differ between countries from senior international business major Joseph Hyler of Paraguay.
Pedro Galvao of Brazil shared how Portuguese differed when speaking with people of different ages and formalities as well as common greetings.

Malaysian Cultural Booth

Nov. 22 – The Nebraska University Malaysian Student Association (NUMSA) hosted a booth at the Nebraska Union to introduce all students to Malaysian culture

Though most NUMSA officers only recently started their journey at UNL, they connected with other campus partners to introduce Malaysian clothes, holiday traditions and arts to the campus community.
"[IEW] has widened our approach to people, and we had the chance to get involved with other organizations and events. Even though we still have a lot to learn and improve, it was such a great experience." - Wan Farhana Natasya, first-time NUMSA Vice President, junior, advertising and public relations

Kawasaki Reading Room

The Kawasaki Reading Room hosted a matcha tea ceremony and two lectures during IEW this year. The "Attack on Titan with Professor Otaku" lecture discussed the connection between anime and technology, and "Dr. Ikuho Amano's Lecture" discussed implications of abnormal climate conditions portrayed in the anime, Weathering with You. They also collaborated with the College of Business on the Oxford High Tea study abroad information session.

"I learned a lot from each of the lectures KRR hosted with Dr. Amano and Dr. Ryu. Those opened my eyes to different areas of Japanese studies that I have not thought about before." - Christa Rahl, graduate student in educational administration
Established in 1992, UNL's Kawasaki Reading Room has been a learning center for Japanese language and culture through its resources, events, and library. © Kawasaki Reading Room & Office of Global Strategies
"Happy International Education Week from all of us across the University of Nebraska System. Our 3,100+ international students, representing 150 countries around the world, contribute enormously to the academic and cultural life of the university."

- Ted Carter, President of the University of Nebraska system on Twitter

Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate International Education Week 2021 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln! We were so pleased with the celebration of international diversity and global exchange, and extend a heartfelt thanks to all our community and campus partners.

Stay in touch with us on social media! Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn

For inquiries, please contact the Office of Global Strategies at globalstrategies@unl.edu.

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Credits:

Courtesy photos from University Communications, the College of Business, CASNR Global Hub, International Student and Scholar Office, and College of Education and Human Sciences. Copyright 2021 by the Office of Global Strategies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.