Students will have the opportunity to learn about diverse cultures during Kent State’s fifth annual International Education Week, Nov. 17 through 21.

Ediz Kaykayoglu, assistant director of Education Abroad, said International Education Week is a time to promote and engage students about studying abroad. International Education Week was created by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

“It’s a week celebrated by colleges across the country, and it includes all departments and colleges here at Kent,” Kaykayoglu said.

The week’s campus-wide events will be hosted by an array of departments, colleges and student organizations including the Department of Pan-African Studies, SALSA, the College of the Arts and the Brazilian Student Organization.

The planning of International Education Week has been an area of focus for Annie Cima, a senior human development and family studies major, who said she’s been preparing for this week since August. 

“There’s going to be at least three events every day, and there’s been a big effort made by several departments on campus,” Cima said.

International Education Week will kick-off events on Monday, Nov. 17:

• Lecture on H1B work visa: Student Center, Room 310C at 9 a.m.
• Global Seminar on Sustainability Practices featuring speakers Dr. Yanhai Du and Ms. Maria Renee Baning: Student Center, Room 313 from 2 to 4 p.m.
• The Israeli People Photography Exhibition featuring Goor Dotan, an ethnographic freelance photographer: the Cohn Jewish Student Center at 6:30 p.m.

Events for Tuesday, Nov. 18:

• Marion Korllos Tour Design Contest where senior tourism management students will showcase Ohio tour designs: White Hall, Room 200 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
• Get to Know Brazil: Student Center, Room 317 from 1 to 2 p.m.
• Lecture about the terrorist group Boko Haram: Oscar Ritchie Hall, Room 230 at 7 p.m.
• Gerald H. Read Distinguished Lecture featuring Lisa Shannon, a distinguished women’s rights advocate: the Kiva at 7:30 p.m.
• KSIM Country Spotlight: Williamson Alumni Center from 8 to 9:30 p.m. 

Events for Wednesday, Nov. 19:

• In Search Of…Travel the World, where students can learn about Japanese culture and judge a travel poster contest: White Hall, Room 200 from noon to 1 p.m.
• Cultural Cafe featuring traditional food from Turkey and Italy: Student Center Ballroom Balcony from 2 to 4 p.m.
• The Amazing Study Abroad Race, a scavenger hunt where students can participate in unique cultural challenges like trying a strange food and learning to say phrases in different languages: Business Administration Building, Room 209 from 1 to 5 p.m.
• “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” movie showing: Bowman Hall, Room 137 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Events for Thursday, Nov. 20:

• International Artwork Showcase: Student Center second floor windows from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Reading the Coffee Grounds – Turkish Fortune Telling, where students can learn how to tell fortunes with coffee grounds: White Hall, Room 200 from 10 to 11 a.m.
• Japanese and Taiwanese Tea Ceremonies: White Hall, Room 200 from 2 to 3 p.m.
• Arabic Culture Exhibition, where Middle Eastern students will present cultural activities: Henderson Hall, third floor faculty lounge from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Top 10 Global Music Videos, where ethnomusicology students will show music videos from around the world: Music and Speech Building, Room E202 from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m.
• Survival Language Series – Italian, where students can learn some Italian words and phrases: Student Center Multicultural Center, Room 202 from 2 to 4 p.m.
• British High Tea – Invitation Only: White Hall, Room 200 from 4 to 5 p.m.
• Fifth Annual International Cook-Off, six teams will cook food from their respective countries and compete to see which team has the best dish: Student Center Ballroom from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Kent African Student Association presents: Africa is not a Country! in Oscar Ritchie Multi-Purpose Room at 7 p.m.
• Coffee House and International Poetry: White Hall, Room 200 from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Events for Friday, Nov. 21:

• Fulbright Specialist Celebration and Lecture: White Hall, READ Room 215 from 1 to 2 p.m.
• Get to Know Brazil! Student Center, Room 315 from 2 to 4 p.m.
• How to Apply to be a Fulbright: White Hall, Room 200 at 2 p.m.
• Latin Night, where students are invited to learn Latin dances: Twin Towers Studio A from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

For a more information about International Education Week, visit kent.edu/educationabroad.

Contact Kaitlin Siegel at [email protected].