West Liberty University celebrates diversity during the month of November and the WLU International Center in conjunction with the International Student Club have organized events that include language sessions, dance workshops and study abroad discussions.
“It is our hope that the events presented by our students, faculty and staff will help educate the campus and local community about the world beyond campus. Hopefully, it will increase their curiosity and desire to learn more,” said Heather Kalb, coordinator of international student activities and recruiting.
WLU expanded a traditional International Education Week that is celebrated across the U.S. to create the month-long celebration of global cultures. The week started as a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education and aims to attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences.
This year WLU is home to 70 international students from 33 countries. The countries include Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Republic of the Congo, Spain, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Vietnam.
Below is the full list of events, which take place in the College Union Alumni Room, unless otherwise noted:
Thursday, Nov. 1
4 p.m. – Day of the Dead presented by Felipe Rojas, associate professor of Spanish
Monday, Nov. 5
10 a.m. – Working Environment in France as Compared to Germany and US by Justine Seyfferth
10:30 a.m. – French Influence on the Daily Life of Tunisia by Nesrine Aouani
11 a.m. – Spanish Influence in Venezuela and Flamenco dance by Adriana Parra Gonzalez
11:30 a.m. – An Introduction to Life in Brazil and Samba dance by Gabriela Barbosa
Noon – How You Can Travel, Study and Work in France by Shannon Halicki, assistant professor of French and Spanish
Tuesday, Nov. 6
1:30 p.m. – Introduction to Arabic by Mohamed Zouari
1:45 p.m. – Languages of Nepal by Adwit Lamichhane and Umesh Nepali
3:15 p.m. – Introduction to German by Justine Seyfferth
3:30 p.m. – Introduction to Urdu by Izma Saved
6:30 p.m. – Art of Language Workshops (art projects, make your own poetry, etc)
Wednesday, Nov. 7
1:30 p.m. – “Postcards from Poland” inspired by Polish cut-paper folk art by Martyna Matusiak, associate professor of art
3 p.m. – Comparison of Business Cultures by Kirill Niyazimbetov, Adwit Lamichhane and Kyle Caruso
3:30 p.m. – Daily Life in Pakistan by Osama Ghaffer
4 p.m. – Budget Travel by Rickard Briggs, assistant professor of entrepreneurship
Thursday, Nov. 8
12:30 p.m. – Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Nigeria by Babatunde Oyebade
2:30 p.m. – Differences between America and China
4 p.m. – Cultural Diversity of Pakistan by Zainab Nawaz
4:30 p.m. – The Man Who Mends Women: Dr. Mukwenge by Grace Bulabula
Monday, Nov. 12
3 p.m. – It’s International Tea Time! (College Union Ballroom)
Tuesday, Nov. 13
1 p.m. – Germany Study Abroad mixer with Summer 2018 video clips by Miriam Roth Douglas, assistant professor community education
2 p.m. – Study Abroad Trip to Thailand & Cambodia Summer 2018 by Vishakha Maskey, associate professor of management and economics
6:30 p.m. – Dance to Diversity Workshop (each dance session will last 15 minutes) Caribbean, Tajik, Russian, Pakistani, African and Tunisian
Wednesday, Nov. 14
1:30 p.m. – Current Political Situation in Brazil by Gabriela Barbosa
2 p.m. – Stranger in a Strange Land
2:30 p.m. – Scotland’s National Instrument: The Great Highland Bagpipe by Betsy McFarland
3:30 p.m. – Romania by Derya Alim
4 p.m. – An Introduction to Tajikistan by Magrur Akhmedov
4:30 p.m. – Growing Up in Post-Soviet Union Lithuania by Urte Duyvejonckl
5 p.m. – Are You Really Russian by Anya Nimaeva
Thursday, Nov. 15
3 p.m. – West Liberty University Study Abroad Opportunities by Nicholas Miller
3:30 p.m. – An Introduction to Kyrgyzstan by Dilzhan Baktybekova
4 p.m. – Life in the City as Compared to Life in the Countryside of Mongolia by Oyuka Battsogt
6:30 p.m. – Global Games Nigh
Monday, Nov. 19
1 p.m. – WLU and WPHS international students participate in International Fair at Steenrod Elementary School. Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Mongolia, Romania, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
Thursday, Nov. 29
11 a.m. – Empowering People Through Cartoons, Skype with Mohamed Amin Ahmed, director and founder of Average Mohamed (College Hall) by Megumi Maruta
Friday, Nov. 30
1:30 p.m. – Holidays Around the World, a special presentation for Partner-in-Education West Liberty Elementary School at WLU