Story by Tamara Tiethoff, News Intern
Photo courtesy of www.eca.state.gov

Educación, educação, educazione, utbildning, education–international education. Although there are several different ways to pronounce education, it is continuously defined as “a dynamic concept that involves a journey or movement of people, minds, or ideas across political and cultural frontiers.”  

Due to the vast amount of education opportunities in the world, International Education Week was adopted in 2000. This year IEW is going to take place November 16-20, and will be observed all across the United States and in 100 countries overseas. The main goal of International Education Week is for individuals to reach out to new people to develop a greater understanding of world cultures and languages. It is encouraged for people to share their country’s history, food, holidays, traditions, government, language, and school systems with those who may be unfamiliar. Sharing our cultures with those who have a different background from ourselves will broaden our understanding that international friendships and partnerships are important in the world. IEW also promotes exchange programs for students. International education is for everyone and encourages people to look into various study abroad opportunities. The world is filled with diversity and without expanding our knowledge on various cultures, it is impossible to experience everything the world has to offer.

Around the world, International Education Week is celebrated in many different ways. At the University of Toledo, the dining services are going to be providing a variety of foods from around the world; Italy, Poland, Thailand, Australia, and South America are just a few of the countries they will be preparing dishes from. In Managua, Nicaragua there will be a food fair. At Jamia Milia Islamia University in India, they will be placing a focus on bridging global communities. In Argentina, the ambassador will be reading to elementary students. North Carolina State University will be hosting a passport fair and international tea and coffee day. These are just a few of the many ways that IEW is celebrated around the world.

As a college that engages its students in diverse opportunities, Aquinas has especially emphasized International Education Week this year.  In fact, AQ’s very own International Programs Office will host a week of multicultural education events starting on Monday, November 16 and finishing up Friday, November 20.  Here is a rundown of the events put forth by the International Programs Office:

Week-long Activities:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Another great way to get involved with learning about the educational value of others on campus might include checking out the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. They host speakers to increase cultural awareness, organize events for campus to engage in cultural traditions, and provide volunteer opportunities to combat social inequalities. As a part of the Center’s mission to promote awareness for diversity, there are several different multicultural clubs on campus, an Excellence in Cultural and Educational Leadership mentoring program (EXCEL), and a diversity assistant program. Additionally, many different international and study abroad programs are offered here at Aquinas. Service-learning trips hosted by Campus Ministry are also another option for cross-cultural exploration. It is highly encouraged that we take advantage of the opportunities we are presented with in order to explore the world around us. Just remember, exploring the world not only takes an open mind but an open heart as well.

As Aristotle once said, “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

More information about International Education Week can be found at http://eca.state.gov/programs-initiatives/international-education-week. More information about the diversity opportunities at Aquinas College can be found at www.aquinas.edu.

About the Writer…

Tamara Tiethoff is an avid coffee drinker, a lover of movies and naps and a Pinterest enthusiast. She is from Cedar Springs, Michigan and am a first year student here at Aquinas College. Tamara is in UDM/Aquinas nursing program. Journalism is one of her biggest passions because I love to get the inside scoop on people, places, or events and be able to look at things from a different point of view.