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International Education Week

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This week seeks to advance cultural understanding as well as protect cultural heritage. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.

IEW at Vanderbilt University is a collaboration among ISSS, the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and many other campus partners and organizations.

This year, IEW takes place from November 14 – 18, 2022. Below is a schedule of events. Please check back for updates, as event details are subject to change.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, November 9

Monday, November 14

Tuesday, November 15

Wednesday, November 16

Thursday, November 17

Friday, November 18

Wednesday, November 9

  • IEW Kickoff Event – Treats Around the World: Help us kickoff International Education Week with delicious treats from all over the world! Sponsored by EDI, ISSS, the Graduate School, the Biomedical Research Education & Training (BRET) Office, the Career Center, and the Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Tables will be located at various locations and times across campus. The main table will be at Rand from 11am to 2pm.
  • International Mixer: This mixer will allow students, staff, and faculty who identify as international share stories and experiences, unpack the hidden challenges, and explore their intersectionalities together. Sponsored by EDI and the Multicultural Leadership Council (MLC). Multicultural Community Space, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

Monday, November 14

  • Global Citizenship for Whom? Issues of Access in International Education: This panel discussion will focus on access to global education opportunities in a hybrid online/in-person workshop, followed by table discussions on actionable ways participants can make global education more accessible. Sponsored by the Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). The guest speakers are Professor Melissa Whatley (assistant professor of international and global education at SIT Graduate Institute, PhD, Higher Education, University of Georgia); Kelsi Ward Molowa (Chief for the Humphrey Fellowships and Community College Programs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State_; and Professor Latifa Daadaoui (European Union National Erasmus+ Office – Morocco coordinator,  PhD. Management sciences, Paris Dauphine University). 12 PM to 1 PM, One Magnolia Circle Room 241 and via Zoom. Please RSVP here. (Based on your answer in the RSVP form, you will receive more information about the event and the zoom link if applicable.)
  • Study Abroad OverVU: Learn more about study abroad options as a Vanderbilt student. Sponsored by the Global Education Office. 4 PM to 5 PM, Student Life Center, Suite 103.

Tuesday, November 15

  • International Education Week Partnership Event at Volunteer State Community College: With a focus on mutual exchange as a major part of the Humphrey Fellowship Program, the Humphrey Fellows will travel to Volunteer State Community College to learn about the community college system in Tennessee and to share about education in their home countries. The Fellows will speak in Vol State classes connected to their areas of expertise and will lead a panel of global education for Vol State faculty. Sponsored by the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows Program. This event will be held at Volunteer State Community College, 9 AM -12 PM.
  • Women Around the World Tea Break: The Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center is excited to have you for tea in honor of International Education Week. The Women Around the World tea will feature a variety of international teas and biscuits while highlighting women’s contributions to education, globally. Sponsored by the Women’s Center. Please click here to RSVP. Women’s Center, 10 AM to 11 AM.
  • Painting & Pastries: Swing by the Multicultural Community Space for a morning of donuts and celebrating our international student population at Vanderbilt. SCSJI will have plenty of canvasses & paint for folks to express their international identities, which will be displayed in SCSJI’s spaces! The International Student Council will also be decorating a banner to use at their events this year, so swing by to chat & celebrate with them, too! Sponsored by the Student Center for Social Justice & Identity (SCSJI) and the International Student Council. Multicultural Community Space, 10 AM to 12 PM.
  • ELC Open House: The English Language Center (ELC) will offer an open house to showcase their services and programs and a window into the world of English language teaching. This will provide potential insight to Vanderbilt students who may be seeking English language support but also an opportunity for students considering teaching English overseas to speak with experienced professionals. Above all, this experience will showcase the ELC’s role in VU international education and global citizenship for the broader VU community. Sponsored by the ELC. ELC, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
  • Building Your Career Story: Join the Career Center for a workshop focused on how to tell your career story and leverage your unique skills as an international student. We will focus on how to tell your story in applications and resume, with a special focus on preparing for interviews.  Sponsored by the Career Center. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Career Center Lobby in the Student Life Center.
  • Heritage Social & Cultural Games: Biomedical international students and postdocs will be invited to share something related to their heritage and culture – for example, history, cuisine, art, festivals etc. They will also be learning and playing board games that are specific to different cultures around the world. Sponsored by the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training (BRET). 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Light Hall 419ABCD.

Wednesday, November 16

  • Maymester Info Session: Are you an undergraduate student interested in participating in a Maymester program in 2023? Attend this session to learn more about program offerings, application tips, and information on funding! Sponsored by the Global Education Office (GEO). Sarratt Promenade, 11 AM to 1 PM.
  • World on Wednesday: A Hubert Humphrey Fellow will speak about global education. To RSVP, please click here. Sponsored by ISSS and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows Program. Sarratt 189, 12 PM to 1 PM.
  • New Discoveries in Global Health Research: Graduate faculty will present their research on the topic of global health and a discussion will follow. Provost Cybele Raver will serve as the discussant and Vice Provost Christie-Mizell will moderate the conversation. Featured speakers will include Dr. Muktar Aliyu, Dr. Carolyn Audet, Dr. Kate Clouse, and Dr. Tara McKay. Sponsored by the Graduate School. 1 PM to 3 PM, Alumni Hall Memorial Room. Attendees can RSVP here
  • Academics, Jobs, and all the Hoops: Navigating Stress as International Students: As a part of International Education Week events, this session will talk about how to manage stressors that are unique to international students. The panel features clinicians from University Counseling Center studying in U.S. as international students. Sponsored by the University Counseling Center (UCC). This event will be held virtually over Zoom. Please click here to register. 3 PM to 4 PM.
  • International Immersion Student Panel: A panel of students who have already completed International Immersion projects will discuss their projects. The event will be geared to think of all aspects of doing an Immersion internationally – not just study abroad! Sponsored by the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt. This event will be held virtually over Zoom. Please click here for the meeting link. 4 PM to 5 PM.
  • Project Dialogue: Global Dialogues: Global Dialogues will be led by international student speakers, as well as professors and staff. This is a great opportunity for international students and American students to share conversation, build trust and friendships, and to become more aware of beliefs, worldviews, and issues that impact our international students and our world. It is a community building, empathy-building, and learning opportunity. Sponsored by the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life. Participants are encouraged to sign-up ahead of time by texting [your name], 11/16, RSVP to 615-294-5857. Sarratt Student Center 325/327, 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM.
  • I-Networking: Come practice networking skills while hearing the stories of international student alumni! Sponsored by the Career Center and the International Student Council. Student Life Center, Board of Trust Room, 6 PM to 8 PM.

Thursday, November 17

  • Peabody Art Gallery Walk and Social: This event will showcase the photos and experiences of Peabody students who have experience studying in a country different from their birth country. The gallery walk will encourage more people to understand the value of studying and living in another country. Sponsored by Peabody Office of Student Engagement & Wellbeing. Cohen Art Gallery, 3 PM to 5 PM

Friday, November 18

  • PCSO Workshop + Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon for Peabody International Students: All professional and graduate international students are invited to our Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon! This year we will feature a moderated panel on “Navigating life in the U.S. as an international student”. Please fill out this form if you intend on attending by Friday, November 11. We look forward to seeing you all!  This event is sponsored by Peabody International Students & Affairs, Peabody Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Peabody Office of Student Engagement and Well-Being, and Peabody Chinese Student Organization. 11 AM to 12 PM, Wyatt Rotunda. To RSVP, click here.
  • International Employee Affinity Group Gathering: The mission of the International Employee Affinity Group (IEAG) is to offer a safe space and serve as a resource for international faculty and staff to enable them to transition to Vanderbilt and to Nashville at large and serve as an ongoing supportive community. The IEAG creates professional and social opportunities for international faculty and staff to provide a welcoming and nurturing environment in which they can thrive. Buttrick Atrium, 4 PM to 6 PM.

Questions about IEW? Contact Andrea in ISSS or Wendy in EDI.

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