International Education Week begins Nov. 16 at Texas A&M University-Commerce and brings with it several activities for students.
“International Education Week (IEW) is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the U.S.,” Director of International Student Services John Mark Jones said.
This is not the first IEW hosted by A&M-Commerce, but this year holds some new events in store.
“IEW has been celebrated here at A&M-Commerce for the past few years but this year my office has a desire to increase awareness across the campus by sponsoring and co-sponsoring a number multicultural events,” Jones said. “This year we have a number of new events including the International Movie Night, International Coffee Hour, and Arabian Night that is sponsored by the Association of International Students (AIS).”
On Monday the Office of Hispanic Outreach and Student Programs, along with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), will be hosting Grupo Pakal, a Mayan Performing Arts group who will be performing a Mayan dance and Mayan ball game at 3 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.
“Our opening reception on Nov. 16 is a joint venture between my office and the Office of Hispanic Outreach and Student Programs to focus on [University President] Dr. Jones’ initiative to become a Hispanic Serving Institute,” Jones said. “Dr. Jones will open the week with a few remarks at the reception and we will also have a couple of students from LULAC share their stories.”
On Tuesday AIS along with the Morris Recreation Center (MRC) will host Club Night from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. at the MRC.
On Wednesday AIS, along with the International Student Services Office, will be hosting International Coffee Hour at 2 p.m. in the International Student Services Office, as well as presenting Slumdog Millionaire for International Movie Night at 9 p.m. in the Sam Rayburn Student Center (SRSC).
AIS will finish out the week with Arabian Night on Thursday from 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. at the SRSC.
“This is my third IEW in this school, and I would say the most exciting one,” Helen Magalhaes, AIS president, said. “This year will be different from all the others due to the amount of activity happening on campus and the involvement of other offices and organizations.”
Dr. Kenneth Clinton with the International Studies Program will also be presenting study abroad informational seminars on Monday at 2 p.m., Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., and Wednesday at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. All seminars will take place at the SRSC.
“Our primary goals for the week are to bring recognition to and celebrate the many different cultures that are represented on our campus,” Jones said. “I believe A&M-Commerce is the most diverse campus in the A&M-Commerce system and I think this is a wonderful achievement.”