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 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 and many other campus partners and organizations.
Questions about IEW? Contact Andrea in ISSS.
IEW 2025 takes place from November 14 – November 20. Below is a detailed list of all IEW events at Vanderbilt.
Friday, November 14
- World in Focus: Poster Presentations: Explore how education systems around the globe are shaped by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through this conference-style poster presentation. Presenters will examine educational outcomes, policies, and practices through a comparative lens, discuss pressing educational challenges across nations, and invite audiences to exchange ideas that can advance effective educational strategies. Enjoy a selection of international snacks and drinks as you explore the posters! Sponsored by the Peabody Office of Student Life, the Peabody Library, Student Center for Belonging & Communities, and International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS).
- 10 AM – 11:30 AM, Fireside Reading Room, Peabody Library
- Check out this event on Anchorlink!
Monday, November 17
- What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew Then: International Student Discussion: Part of the Women’s Center’s Women in the Academy series, this is space for advanced graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to share their experiences with adjusting to life at Vanderbilt as international scholars. The primary audience is international graduate and professional students who are just getting started at Vanderbilt or still navigating the transition. Lunch will be provided on a first-come basis. Sponsored by the Women’s Center, the English Language Center, and ISSS.
- 12 PM – 1:15 PM, Sarratt 325/327
- Check out this event on Anchorlink!
- Arabic Calligraphy Night: Come for a guided calligraphy activity where attendees can learn and practice the art of Arabic script. Enjoy traditional Arabic snacks and drinks, accompanied by Arabic music. This event aims to foster community, encourage cross-cultural appreciation, and offer students a fun and creative way to engage with Arabic traditions. Sponsored by the Arabic Club.
- 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, location TBA
Tuesday, November 18
- Broaden Your VU: A Celebration of Global Innovation: You’re invited to join Residential Colleges and iLEAD as we celebrate all the ways our global community has provided us with things we take for granted every day! From yoga to lattes, soap to windshield wipers, education has transformed the world in more ways than we can count. Stop by our table to enjoy sweet treats and learn which country you have to thank for some of your favorite things! Sponsored by Residential Colleges.
- 11 AM – 2 PM, Sarratt Promenade
- Check out this event on Anchorlink!
- Global Connections, Shared Communities: Building Bridges Between Peace Corps and International Education: Interested in international education and/or the Peace Corps? This virtual session will explore the shared mission of Peace Corps and NAFSA in advancing global understanding, service, and educational equity. The conversation will highlight how former volunteers and international educators continue to connect global service with global learning. Sponsored by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
- 11 AM – 12 PM
- Attend this event virtually on LinkedIn!
- Finding Balance Across Cultures: A Peer Mini-Workshop for International Students: Moving across cultures can be exciting—and disorienting. This interactive conversation circle offers a low-pressure space to connect in pairs and small groups about what’s been hard, what’s helped, and what you wish others understood. We will swap practical tips for navigating academics, friendships, and well-being, then close with a resource “map” of campus supports. Share as much or as little as you like. Organized by Hao Xu and Nil Polat.
- 12 PM – 1 PM, Kissam C105
- Check out this event on Anchorlink!
- Study Abroad OverVU: Attend an OverVU led by our Peer Advisers to learn more about the basics of study abroad at Vanderbilt! Sponsored by International Experiences and Global Learning/Study Abroad.
- 1 PM – 2 PM, Rothschild 1051 Conference Room
- Check out this event on Anchorlink!
- International Game Night and Tacos: Would you like to enjoy an evening playing a variety of board games from countries across the globe? Join us for some fun cultural exchange and playful competition with old and new friends during our International Game Night & Tacos! The BRET Office of International Trainee Support will be supplying a diverse collection of international board games. Feel free to bring a board game that is native to your culture if you’d like. Because a game night is not complete without some delicious food, we will be offering catering from Velvet Taco and a variety of sweet treats as well—bring your own beverage! This event is open to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Sponsored by the BRET Office of International Trainee Support and Vanderbilt International Researchers Alliance (VIRAL).
- 4 PM – 6 PM, Light Hall 419 ABCD
Wednesday, November 19
- Global Voices: A Coffeehouse Conversation on International Research: In celebration of International Education Week, the Graduate School will spotlight the diverse international research experiences of our graduate and postdoctoral scholars. Global Voices will strengthen Vanderbilt’s commitment to global engagement, highlight the importance of international experiences in research and education, and build community among scholars with diverse global perspectives. Sponsored by the Graduate School and Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
- 12 PM – 1:30 PM, Alumni Hall Memorial Room (202)
- From Abroad to Career: Turning International Experience into Opportunity: Join Study Abroad and the Career Center for a panelist info session on leveraging and communicating skills gained from international experiences to aid in career growth and advancement. Sponsored by International Experiences and Global Learning/Study Abroad.
- 4 PM – 5 PM, Rothschild Great Room
- Check out this event on Anchorlink!
- Traditions and Transformations: A Glimpse into Central Asia: This interactive cultural exhibit will introduce the Vanderbilt community to the traditions and contemporary transformations of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Through pictures, games, and conversations, visitors will see how the young generation in Central Asia keeps their traditions alive while also adapting to modern life and global influences. Organized by Nurkhon Madyarova, Aida Mametkhanova, Anara Begaidarova, and Chinara Abdymomunova.
- 5 PM – 7 PM, Sarratt 189
Thursday, November 20
- The Sesame Effect: How Sesame Street Innovates Research & Learning Around the World: This event spotlights the international reach and enduring influence of Sesame Street—the world’s longest-running educational television series—on research in education, psychology, human development, and related fields. The event will open with a brief overview of Sesame Street’s research-driven design and impact on children’s learning outcomes globally, highlighting case examples from several national adaptations of the original series. Then, research assistants from the Learning and Neurodevelopment (LaND) Lab will then lead a live demonstration of the Sesame Street Archive (SSA), an emerging interactive database of 35k Sesame Street film frames for advancing interdisciplinary research. The session will culminate with a guided workshop inviting attendees to imagine how the SSA could enrich existing or future collaborative research efforts across international and disciplinary boundaries. All are welcome to this event, but it may be of particular interest to students, researchers, and practitioners in Peabody College and the College of Connected Computing. Lunch will be provided. Organized by Karol Sadkowski, Peabody Psychology and Human Development.
- 12 PM – 2 PM, location TBA
- Chinese Fortune Telling: This event introduces participants to the traditional Chinese practice of (求籤), or “fortune sticks,” an ancient form of divination practiced in temples across China and East Asia. Participants will learn the cultural, poetic, and reflective dimensions of this ritual while experiencing it firsthand. Each attendee will draw a numbered stick from a cup and receive a corresponding fortune verse—interpreted as guidance rather than prediction. The event transforms a centuries-old temple tradition into a cultural learning experience that encourages introspection, mindfulness, and appreciation for Chinese spirituality, literature, and symbolism. Organized by the Global China Connection.
- 5 PM – 6 PM, Courtyard between Carmichael and Rothschild