Shippensburg University participated in its fifth annual celebration of International Education Week Oct. 21 through Oct. 25.
International Education Week serves as a way for SU to spread awareness of the diversity the university has to offer, as well as to raise awareness for the programs at SU that allow students to learn about international culture and participate in opportunities such as studying abroad.
The week itself is celebrated across the country at all levels of the education system from elementary schools to college campuses. SU has been celebrating the week since 2009.
With the week being sponsored by the department of international studies and the office of international programs, each day of the week has a special event — all of which are sponsored by multiple departments including international studies major, disability studies minor and students from social work Class 370 — that is open to SU students, the staff and the local community.
Mary Burnett, associate dean of students and director of international programs, believes that a lot of the events help students become interested in international culture while allowing them to have fun at the same time. The list of events included a film showing, an afternoon experiencing world cultures, a discussion meeting of past study abroad experiences, Ship World Party, International Foods Night and a Study Abroad 101 general information meeting.
Burnett added that she was very pleased with the turnout in this year’s celebration and events.
“I think it was a great week,” she said.
Burnett also went on to express the importance of International Education Week and said she believes that this week in some way helps international students showcase their culture and share things about themselves.
“We have a fantastic international community here and I think it is important that we as an institution celebrate it and that we are made more aware of the fact that we do have faculty, staff and students from all over the world and that they do bring diversity to the campus.”
Most celebrations for the week are held in November but Burnett said that holding the week in the middle of October makes it easier for the faculty and students to be able to participate and indulge in the week’s festivities.
For more information about International Education Week or about future celebrations, visit eca.state.gov.
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