Upcoming International Education Week to Broaden Cultural Understanding

By: Stephanie Savage
Posted In: Campus News

Salve Regina’s International Education Week will kick off Monday, Nov. 14, 2009. Co-sponsored by the McKillop Library and the Office of International and Multicultural Programs, the week-long initiative will feature an array of activities, contests, and lectures to encourage students to widen their cultural horizons.

In coordination with a joint initiative by the U.S. Departments of State and Education, Salve Regina’s own International Education Week is aimed at promoting a broadened international understanding among students while also encouraging them to study abroad. Salve Regina University is one of many schools, along with embassies, international organizations, businesses, associations, and community organizations from over 100 countries to celebrate this year’s International Education Week.

The McKillop Library will once again be hosting their International Education Week Quiz of the Day, featuring daily quizzes made up of a series of five questions dealing with culture, geography, and global issues. Thanks to gracious donations made by several of Newport’s internationally themed restaurants, students who answer all the questions correctly will be entered into a daily drawing for a chance to win a $25 gift card. So far, the library’s outreach program has received gift card donations from Sambar Restaurant and Thai Cuisine. As a grand prize, a $50 gift card to Sardella’s Italian Restaurant will be awarded on Friday to one lucky winner.

As part of International Education Week, the library will be showcasing the “Capture It” photo contest exhibit, featuring award-winning images taken by students who studied abroad during the 2008-2009 academic year. The display of student photography will be hosted by Salve’s Office of International and Multicultural Programs, with winners in two categories, ‘People and Culture’ and ‘Sights and Scenery.’

On Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, a Language Table will be set up in Jazzman’s Café followed by a panel discussion that evening at 7 p.m. in Antone Academic Center 128. The discussion, which will be led by Professors Dr. Habib and Dr. Amini, will focus on Islam and the West, current events in Iran, as well as the future of the Islamic Republic.

As part of the initiative, Miley Café will be featuring cuisines from around the world all week.

With a full week of activities already in the making, this year’s International Education Week is not to be missed. For those students interested in studying abroad, this a perfect time to explore options.

With 33 students studying abroad throughout the world this semester, the Office of International and Multicultural Programs is already preparing for those who will be heading overseas this upcoming spring and summer. Such overseas exchanges are “critical to developing mutual understanding and respect, building leadership abroad, fostering an appreciation for the U.S., and investing in the future relationship between Americans and people around the world,” according to the government-sponsored website for International Education Week.