International Education Week to celebrate global connections
LAWRENCE — With a series of multicultural events and a social media campaign, the University of Kansas is celebrating International Education Week from Nov. 14 to 18.
A joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, the week promotes programs that prepare those in the U.S. for a global world and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States.
KU is a regional leader in internationalization efforts. More than 1,700 international students attend KU. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 945 KU students traveled abroad for university-affiliated activities, and an additional 15 students engaged in virtual education abroad and international internship experiences. KU teaches more than 30 different languages and is one of only 13 universities in the country to have four or more federally funded international area studies centers through the Title VI program.
In recognition of the impact of international education on Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation recognizing International Education Week and noting that “international education, exchange and public diplomacy play a critical role in U.S. foreign relations today and tomorrow.”
“To have this affirmation of our mission and efforts from Governor Kelly is extraordinary. Internationalization is one the foundational priorities of the University of Kansas, deeply informing our work of educating leaders, building healthy communities and making discoveries that change the world,” said Charles Bankart, senior internationalization officer.
“This week is a time to step back and reflect on all the work we have done to center the world at KU and KU within the global context,” he said. “We have created an exceptional foundation through our internationalization efforts, and we have exciting plans to build upon that foundation in service to the great state of Kansas.”
At KU’s Lawrence Campus, the week will feature discussions on international careers, a panel on recent elections in key countries, a town hall meeting on U.S.-China relations and a World Expo, where international students will have the opportunity to showcase their cultures.
Throughout the week, International Affairs will be sharing stories from the KU community on the power of international education. Alumni, faculty, staff and students can share their international experiences by completing a brief survey.
The KU community is encouraged to join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #KU22IEW this week when posting information about international events and the importance of international education.
Upcoming events:
Tuesday, Nov. 15
International Career Series: John Rodgers
4 p.m., 318 Bailey Hall
John Rodgers, a KU alumnus of the Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies, will speak about his career experiences and provide advice to students pursuing internationally focused professions. Rodgers served in the U.S. government from 1986 to 2015. He began his career as a political analyst for East European Affairs and witnessed the collapse of the communist systems in Eastern Europe and the reestablishment of democracy in those countries. The event is sponsored by CREES and the Center for Global & International Studies.
Beyond KU: Think Tanks
4:30-5:30 p.m., virtual
In this virtual event, panelists will share how to turn a passion for politics into a career. Panelists include Anna Bailey, senior policy analyst for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; Ariel Simons, learning and development manager for the Brookings Institution; Devi Nair, associate director in the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Catherine Nzuki, associate fellow in the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The event is sponsored by the University Career Center. Register for the event.
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Global Headlines: Election Dynamics in Key Countries
1:30 p.m., Sabatini Multicultural Resource Center and via Zoom
KU faculty members will discuss recent elections in key countries and global implications for the results. Panelists include Rami Zeedan, assistant professor of Jewish studies; Sofia Vera, assistant professor of political science; and Mark Joslyn, professor of political science. The panel will be moderated by Mike Wuthrich, associate director for the Center for Global & International Studies. The event is organized by CGIS, in collaboration with the Department of Political Science, Jewish Studies Program and Middle East Studies. Zoom info.
CHINA Town Hall
6-8 p.m., virtual event
CHINA Town Hall connects leading China experts with Americans around the country for a national conversation on the implications of China’s rise on U.S.-China relations and its impact on our towns, states and nation. This two-part event will include a national webcast from 6 to 7 p.m. and a local webinar from 7 to 8 p.m.
The national webcast will feature guest speaker Jon Huntsman Jr., former ambassador to China, Russia and Singapore. The local webinar will focus on the legacy of COVID-19 on U.S.-China relations. Speakers will include Dali Yang, author of numerous books and scholarly articles on the politics and political economy of China, and Deborah Seligsohn, assistant professor of political science at Villanova University. Jiakun Jack Zhang, KU assistant professor of political science, will moderate the webinar.
The event is sponsored by the KU Center for East Asian Studies, National Committee on United States-China Relations, International Relations Council and World Trade Center Kansas City. Register for the event.
Thursday, Nov. 17
Tea @ Three
3-4 p.m., Kansas Union, Level 4
Tea @ Three gives students an opportunity to enjoy a cup of tea with a variety of cookies. At the Nov. 17 event, International Support Services and the International Student Association will be tabling to promote the World Expo, as well as engaging the campus community with international trivia.
Friday, Nov. 18
World Expo
2-4 p.m., Burge Union, Forum C and D
Celebrate International Education Week by learning about the different cultures represented at KU. At the World Expo, international students will showcase their cultures at an interactive tabling fair. All members of the KU community are invited to connect with international Jayhawks during this event. The event is sponsored by International Support Services.
From Study Abroad to the State Department: How Developing Global Perspectives Supports U.S. Foreign Policy
3-5 p.m., virtual
This two-hour webinar will feature an interview with Secretary of State Antony Blinken exploring how U.S. diplomatic work affects the lives of the American people and how studying abroad furthers the State Department’s foreign policy mission. Webinar attendees will hear directly from the secretary of state and a panel of U.S. foreign service officers focusing on how their work at the State Department advances U.S. foreign policy, how that work impacts Americans, and how study abroad shaped their careers and continues to impact their lives as American diplomats.
The event is sponsored by USA Study Abroad, part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and its Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. Recipients and alumni of the Gilman Program, the Critical Language Scholarship Program, ECA exchange alumni and all interested U.S. undergraduate and graduate students are invited to attend this 2022 International Education Week virtual event.