The 2016 International Education Week is underway at Kent State, with 40 different events planned in celebration.

IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State. According to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, IEW first started in 2000 and is celebrated in over 100 countries.

Kent’s IEW events range from a celebration of Oman’s 46th National Day, to an international cooking competition, to speakers and performers. This year features a range of new activities, exhibitions, demonstrations and celebrations of cultures from all around the world.

Michael Taylor, the marketing and communications specialist for the Office of Global Education, said he is excited for people to experience just how much IEW has to offer.

“The purpose of International Education Week is to encourage international education,” Taylor said. “It’s to welcome and to have programs available for international students coming to study here, as well as to promote our own domestic students to include a study abroad experience, within their education.”

Preparations for IEW started this summer. Anyone is able to put on an event as long as it has international focus, Taylor said.

One of the most popular events within IEW is the International Cook-Off in the Student Center Ballroom on Nov. 17. The Cook-Off features six teams representing their home country preparing a traditional meal and beverage to compete against the other teams. Free samples will be available for anyone who attends.

Taylor encourages people to take advantage of IEW and learn about a wide variety of cultures.

“The real intent of International Education Week is to create international understanding, tolerance and openness,” Taylor said. “To give people the opportunity to foster a better understanding.”

A list of all the events within IEW can be found on the Office of Global Education’s website.

Mckenna Corson is the international and grad affairs reporter, contact her at [email protected].