Throughout the month of November, Southeast Missouri State University will celebrate International Education Week (IEW) 2021 with a full schedule of events that highlight and honor the cultural diversity on campus.
While IEW is observed nationally Nov. 15-19, Southeast executive director for international education and services Dr. Kevin Timlin said the University will celebrate international education for the entire month of November.
IEW is an opportunity to showcase the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences.
Southeast is home to students from 66 countries, Timlin said, representing nearly one in every three countries in the world. The signature event of IEW 2021, Carpe Diem, will allow participants to see the many rich and diverse cultures Southeast students represent.
“We’re bringing the world to Southeast,” Timlin said of the headlining event, which will transform the Student Recreation Center into a world bazaar.
Designed by the international students who represent different countries, cultural booths will be set up all over the gym, with many featuring food, sweets or beverages as well as a variety of activities for participants to try. Carpe Diem will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14 at the Student Recreation Center in the East Gym. The free event will last for three hours and will also feature musical and dance performances, as well as a fashion show.
“The world is so interconnected, and whether you’re talking about economies, finance, travel or communication, it’s so important to have international understanding as part of the educational experience,” Timlin said.
Other IEW activities are:
- A presentation on opportunities to go abroad after graduating, featuring information about Peace Corps and Fulbright programs
- International film series screenings with panel discussions
- High Teas at the IV (International Village)
- "Afro Fusion" cultural celebration presented by the SEMO African Students Association
- A faculty-led presentation on the benefits of study abroad, and an exploration of opportunities for Southeast students
- A colloquium to discuss the past, present and future of international student enrollment in U.S. higher education
- International Clothing Day