West Liberty University celebrates diversity with a month of events every November, and this year there are more active ways to learn about other cultures.
“The international education month allows the global community to be able to share their cultures with the West Liberty community. It’s also a way for U.S. students to actively participate in a workshop or dance demonstration instead of just hearing about it in a lecture,” said Ryan Glanville, coordinator of international programs and recruiting.
“There’s also an International Initiatives program taking place next week to encourage study abroad programming for students and faculty members. This is collaborative online international learning between different universities,” Glanville said. “So we have something for everyone, that’s the hope. For the athletic type, for the culinary fan, for academic purposes — we are trying to have a good mix.”
The International Office offers different events each year based on the home countries of students.
New exchange students Elmira Babaeva and Rasimia Lakupova from Russia will offer a Russian pancake workshop on Monday, Nov. 18, for those interested in learning global recipes.
“Students are in class all the time, so it’s nice to have something that is more hands-on. They go home for the weekend and tell their families what they have learned,” Glanville said. “We want to create memories and for them to share.”
Music as a world language is especially popular among students. Music Education major Hunter Ramser, who is a first-year student from Martins Ferry, enjoyed performing African drum and dance with international students last week.
“I liked to perform for the audience, it was a really good experience,” Ramser said. “African music is a communal art, so it’s really fun to play this type of music with others. That’s actually how I first got my experience into African music, from the honor festival last year, when professor Greco pulled me out of the audience.”
The World Music Concert with WLU’s African Drum & Dance and Steel Band Ensembles, under the direction of professor Mitch Greco, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 24, in College Union. It is open to the public.
Below is the list of events. All are open to the public.
Monday, Nov. 18
• 11 a.m. — Russian Pancake Workshop, Elmira Babaeva and Rasimia Lakupova, alumni room
• Noon — Yut Nori and other Korean Games, professor Moonjung Kang, alumni room
Tuesday, Nov. 19
• 3 p.m. — International Tea Time, hosted by the International Center and Spices International Student Club, College Union
Wednesday, Nov. 20
• 11 a.m. — International Transgender Day of Remembrance (Quad — weather permitting)
• 2 p.m. — Visit Nepal 2020, Adwit Lamichhane and Umesh Nepali, alumni room
• 7 p.m. — Japanese Movie Night, Megumi Maruta, Interfaith Chapel social room
Thursday, Nov. 21: Day of Japan, Megumi Maruta and Serena Smith
• 9:30-10:45 a.m. — Japanese Arts & Crafts: Origami, Main Hall 190
• 11 a.m.-2:15 p.m. — Japanese Sushi and Takoyaki Making Workshop, Interfaith Chapel social room
• 2-3:15 p.m. — Chopstick Challenge/Calligraphy Workshop, Main Hall 190
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Training for Faculty and Staff, alumni room
Friday, Nov. 22
• 2 p.m. — Cricket Demonstration, Adwit Lamichhane (Quad — weather permitting)
Sunday, Nov. 24
• 5 p.m. — World Music Concert under the direction of Professor Mitch Greco, College Union
For more information, contact Glanville at ryan.glanville@westliberty.