Larry Bell, executive director of CU Boulder’s Office of International Education, introduces speakers during the reception for International Education Week in the Center for Community on Nov. 19, 2014. (Gray Bender/CU Independent)
Students may have noticed a little extra international flavor at CU this week, and it’s not by accident. CU’s Office of International Education is putting on “International Education Week” this week.
Stephanie Pund, a study abroad program manager in the Office of International Education, said the significance of International Education Week lies in the students coming together and experiencing different cultures, as well as sharing experiences with students from other countries.
“International Education Week is a celebration thousands of students are a part of across the country and the world,” Pund said.
The event kicked off Monday, Nov. 17, and continues for the rest of this week.
Tuesday, students had the opportunity to gather around and celebrate the international community with a parade.
A five-foot diameter globe sits at the front of Wednesday’s reception for International Education Week. Attendees were encouraged to place stickers over locations they’ve been or want to go with the help of the Office of International Education. (Gray Bender/CU Independent)
Various activities, such as the World Street Food Week (Latin America) at the C4C, the “Tibetan Treasury of Knowledge: Textual Transmission and Cultural Preservation” on the third floor in the Norlin Library and an art & maps exhibit at Benson Science are available all week.
“I love International Education Week,” said 23-year-old Azuraye Wycoff, an international affairs major who was named “study abroad student of the year” Wednesday. “I studied abroad in China for the past year. Since I came back I became very involved in the chapter ‘Pengyou,’ which means friend in Chinese.”
Pengyou Day is another event offered this week. Thursday, students interested in U.S.-China relations can join the Office of International Education and Wycoff on Pengyou Day, which will be held in Hellems 141 from 5-6 p.m.
“Research and lectures only give you so much,” Wycoff said. “I think education starts with the person from another country. It is the biggest way to open the door of opportunities.”
Also Thursday, students can test their international knowledge at international trivia, which will be held from 5-7 p.m. on the first floor at the UMC.
On Nov. 22, students are invited to the International Coffee Hour, where they can enjoy hot beverages and treats while chatting with other international students. International Coffee Hour will be located in the UMC, across from the Alfred Packer Grill.
“We celebrate international students as part of our community,” said Karen Crouch, an international student orientation coordinator at CU.
“Even if you haven’t gone abroad, there’s a rich international community on campus that all students should experience,” added study abroad program manager Stephanie Pund.
Karen Crouch, the coordinator of international student orientation, introduces winners of this year’s international education photo contest on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 in the Center for Community. (Gray Bender/CU Independent)
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lena Schneider at Annalena.Schneider@colorado.edu
