Oct 27, 2009 issue
Meet the world during International Week on campus

By Lisa Donovan

 

The Eastern Michigan University community is invited to experience cultures from around the globe without the hassle of airport security at EMU's International Week, which runs through Friday Oct. 30. In the Student Center and in classrooms all over campus, participants will get a taste of the food, entertainment, language and customs of other countries and learn about some of the issues they face.

INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION: Eastern Michigan University celebrates International Week with a variety of events on campus.

"We want students to have an awareness and understanding of other countries and cultures," said Betsy Morgan, EMU's director of international initiatives. "We want them to be conscious of culturally different perspectives on their way to becoming global citizens."

Morgan is co-chairing the International Week planning committee with Julia Beaver, international student specialist.

Faculty members are encouraged to bring the world into their classrooms with activities such as lectures, presentations and ethnic potluck lunches. In addition, myriad events are planned for the entire campus community. Participants can learn a greeting or how to write their name in another language, test their world knowledge at Justin's Quiz Table, or take part in a game show.

Following is a list of highlights for International Week, which began Oct. 26.

MODEL UN TALK: Kristen Smith (second from right), playing ambassador of the United Kingdom, makes a point to Charles Elliott (third from left), playing the ambassador of Russia, during a debate about "The Situation in Iraq." The debate was part of the United Nations Day Celebration on campus Oct. 26.

The week kicked off with United Nations Day Celebration Oct. 26 in the Student Center Ballroom. A flag-raising ceremony was followed by the Children's Institute Celebration of Diversity and Unity, a reading of the UN proclamation and a Model UN.

The College of Education presented "Internationalizing Teacher Education Curriculum," which showed how EMU is providing teacher education students with the most relevant training for their new profession. First-day activities concluded with an awards luncheon.

Treat your taste buds to some intriguing new flavors at DC One's International Food Celebrations. General Tso chicken with vegetarian egg rolls was the Asian fare sampled Oct. 26. Wrap your mouth around Mexican tamales, churros and enchiladas Oct. 27. Gyros and tandoori chicken are on the menu Oct. 28. Try German specialties such as smoked bratwurst, German potato salad, red cabbage and sauerkraut Oct. 29. Finish your global culinary adventure with stuffed cabbage rolls, spaetzle and boiled potatoes Oct. 30.

WORLD FILM: "2 Million Minutes in China" is one of the movies that will shown as part of The World Film Series on campus.

Enjoy the sights, sounds and film styles of other countries at The World Film Series, hosted by EMU's World Languages Department. Some films are in English and others have sub-titles. "Afghan Star" will be shown in the Student Center Auditorium. All other movies will be shown in room 300 of Halle Library. Some of this year's selections include "La Gloire de Mon Pere," "2 Million Minutes in China," "White Light/Black Rain," "Latin Beat: Latino Culture in the United States," and four episodes of "China From the Inside." For a complete listing, visit www.emich.edu/iw/calendar.html.

International music will entertain lunchtime diners at the Student Center Eateries, Tuesday, Oct. 27, through Thursday, Oct. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The musical variety includes the oud, one of the most popular stringed instruments in Middle Eastern music; an international DJ will spin tunes; and African djembe (drums) will be played. International physical activities set to music will round out the week Oct. 29.

GREETINGS FROM VERSAILLES: Eastern Michigan University students pose for a photo in Versailles, France, as part of a previous Study Abroad trip. A Study Abroad Fair is scheduled Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p..m, in room 310 of the Student Center.

Discover opportunities to earn EMU credits while learning in another country at the Study Abroad Fair hosted by Academic Programs Abroad Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., room 310, in the Student Center. Program directors, exchange partners, financial aid representatives and returning students will be on hand to help students find out if a study abroad program is right for them.

Add your voice to the Human Rights Panel Discussion Wednesday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., room 300, in the Student Center. Learn how people in other countries struggle to attain some of the basic human rights we enjoy in the United States every day.

Get involved in the International Business Panel Discussion Thursday, Oct. 29, 4-5 p.m., room 201, at the College of Business. Discover some of the important global issues faced by new and seasoned business practitioners.

GOAL!!: Students will participate in the EMU World Cup Soccer Tournament in Bowen Field House.

Jack Kay, EMU provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, will present "Excelling as a Global University: Town Hall Meeting," Friday, Oct. 30, 1-2 p.m., in the Student Center Auditorium. Kay has experienced life in 46 countries around the world and developed an international program at the University of Michigan-Flint.

Cheer for your favorite EMU team as they play one of the world's most popular games: soccer. Eight-person teams of international and American students from EMU will compete in the EMU World Cup Soccer Tournament, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, in Bowen Field House. Students can participate as a student organization, a group of friends, residence hall or dorm group, or a fraternity or sorority. The winning team will be awarded an EMU World Cup trophy.

For more information, contact Julia Beaver at jbeaver4@emich.edu or Justin Meilgaard at jmeilgaar@emich.edu. For more information on International Week events, please visit www.emich.edu/iw/calendar.html.