A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, International Education Week celebrates the many ways international education and exchange opportunities prepare citizens for community building in both national and international settings. The week will officially be observed Nov. 12-16, 2012, in over 100 countries worldwide. Join International Programs in celebrating International Education Week on the UI campus.

Jump to student photo, video, and essay contest winners

2012 International Education Week Schedule

WorldCanvass – “IWP: Telling the Stories of the World”
Including the presentation of the International Impact Award to Ms. Hualing Nieh Engle
When: Friday, Nov. 2, from 5-7 p.m.
Where: Senate Chamber, Old Capitol Museum
Free and open to the public
Contact: Joan Kjaer, joan-kjaer@uiowa.edu, 319-335-2026

The third International Impact Award recipient Hualing Nieh Engle will join WorldCanvass host Joan Kjaer and other guests for this program celebrating the International Writing Programs – the unique experiment that began almost a half-century ago and continues today, bringing accomplished international writers from around the globe to the American Midwest where they live together, learn from each other, pursue their writing, and experience Iowa and Iowans during a ten-week residency. Read more information about this program.

International Day – “Human Right to Political Participation:  You Have the Power”

When: Tuesday, November 6
This event is not open to the public.
International Day will bring together 300 middle school students from area schools to participate in discussions and break-out sessions at the Marriott Hotel on the topic “Human Right to Political Participation: You Have the Power.” Learn more about this event.

Cultural Ball 2012: Global Victories in Ending Modern Slavery

Presented by the Organization for the Active Support of International Students (OASIS)
When: Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, 7:30-10 p.m.
Where:  IMU Second Floor Ballroom
Free and open to the public
Contact: Will Cai, yilun-cai@uiowa.edu

Cultural Ball embraces the idea of different cultures interacting and living in peace. Everyone is encouraged to dress in traditional clothing or just dress up and put your dancing shoes on! There will be performances throughout the night by Iowa Anhdi, Irish Dancers, Iowa Agni, KUSA, Near East Dance Ensemble, and Hawkeye Bhangra. Join us on the dance floor and learn to Salsa and Swing, led by the Hawkeye Ballroom Dancers! More Information

Adopt-A-Language Fair  
When: Monday, Nov. 12, 3-5 p.m.
Where: 1117 University Capitol Centre
Free and open to the public
Contact: Elena Osinskaya, elena-osinsky@uiowa.edu, 319-384-3594

See a video from last year's Adopt-A-Language Fair!

The event aims to promote international understanding and educate attendees on the variety of world language study offerings in the Division of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures (DWLLC) and on the UI campus, including critical and less commonly taught languages. The attendees will be able to talk to faculty members, as well as to instructors and tutors of the various world languages. Students, staff and faculty will also learn about resources for language study in the Division, and about career and research opportunities.

Teaching Opportunities in the Peace Corps
When: Monday, Nov. 12, 7-8:15 p.m.
Where: 1117 University Capitol Centre
Free and open to the public
Contact:  Meredith Mahy Gall, peacecorps@uiowa.edu, 319-335-0347

Learn about teaching opportunities in the Peace Corps at this information session. Speaking at the event will be returned volunteers Meredith Mahy Gall, UI Peace Corps representative (Served in Botswana, 1995-97); Amy Bowes, UI Study Abroad advisor (Lesotho from 2005-07); Scott McNabb, UI associate professor emeritus (Thailand from 1968-1971); and Jess Sauer, Middle School Social Studies Teacher/Clear Creek Amana District (Namibia from 1996-98).

Stanley Awards Information Workshop
When: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Where: 1117 University Capitol Centre
Free and open to the public
Contact: Karen Wachsmuth, karen-wachsmuth@uiowa.edu, 319-335-1436

Come learn about the Stanley Awards for International Research, which are given annually to outstanding University of Iowa undergraduate and graduate students for the pursuit of learning activities in international studies and international research/fieldwork. Elena Osinskaya from the Division of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures will be at this event to discuss language support for grants and the ALLNet program.

Study Abroad film screening “Crossing Borders”
When: Tuesday, November 13, 5-7 p.m.
Where: E105 Adler Journalism Building
Free and open to the public
Contact: Sterling Bacher, sterling-bacher@uiowa.edu, 319-335-0353

“Crossing Borders” is a seventy minute documentary that follows four Moroccan and four American university students as they travel together through Morocco and, in the process of discovering “The Other” discover themselves. Learn more about the film at http://crossingbordersfilm.org. Featured at the event will be Associate Professor Denise Filios (Spanish and Portuguese, Iowa Regents Arabic Program in Morocco), Amy Bowes (Work, Internship, Volunteer Abroad advisor); and study abroad Morocco returnees.

Speakeasy with Stanley Recipients
When: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 7-9 p.m.
Where: The Sanctuary Pub, 405 S. Gilbert Street, Iowa City
Free and open to the public
Contact: Karen Wachsmuth, karen-wachsmuth@uiowa.edu, 319-335-1436

Past grantees of the Stanley Awards for International Research, including students from the Nonfiction Writing Program, will read from their work.

ICFRC Luncheon: "Will the Euro Zone’s Debt Crisis Save or Sink the Global Economy"
Presented by: J.D. Bindenagel, former U.S. Ambassador
When: Wednesday, Nov. 14, noon
Where: The Congregational Church, 30 N Clinton Street, Iowa City
Open to the public, Reservations due by noon Tuesday, Nov. 13
Cost: ICFRC members - $9, Nonmembers - $12
Contact: Karen Chappell, karen-chappell@uiowa.edu, 319-335-0351

The current euro zone debt crisis centers on Germany and is an existential crisis about European Union political integration. Over the past two decades, united Germany has accepted its political EU integration responsibility to move toward a European Monetary Union, to introduce the euro, and now to resolve the current euro crisis.  In a recent article published in the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, J.D. Bidenagel discussed the euro zone debt crisis and its importance to the global economy, and he will share his views on the crisis for this ICFRC program. More Information

Life in Iowa Career Series: Networking
When: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 4 p.m.
Where: 1117 University Capitol Centre
Open to: UI international students and scholars
Contact: Shuhui Lin, isss-peer@uiowa.edu, 319-335-0335

This Life in Iowa career series event for international students will introduce techniques of networking, a powerful tool for enhancing your career.

Building Our Global Community workshop: Immigration and Other Regulations That Affect International Students – Part II
When: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Center for Disabilities and Development, 115 (Rembolt Room)
Open to: UI staff and faculty
Registration is required by: Nov. 8, available in UI Self Service http://hris.uiowa.edu
Contact: Shannon Lizakowski, shannon-lizakowski@uiowa.edu, 319-384-2261

This session will focus on rules regarding employment both on and off campus for F-1 or J-1 student status, issues surrounding travel outside the U.S., and various non-immigration issues such as Social Security, driver’s license, financial issues, etc.  Attendance at the Part I workshop is not required, but is recommended. Part I will be offered again in 2013-14. Leading the workshop will be Lee Seedorff, senior associate director, International Student and Scholar Services, International Programs.

These events are sponsored by International Programs, the Organization for the Active Support of International Students, Students Abolishing Slavery, the Asian American Coalition, UI Peace Corps, the Nonfiction Writing Program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), James Preston Pusack Family Fund, the CLAS Perry A. and Helen Judy Bond Fund for Interdisciplinary Interaction, and the Division of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures in CLAS. The film screening is made possible through Crossing Borders Education in partnership with Michigan State University.

2012 Photo Contest: Show Us the World Through Your Eyes

Visit the study abroad and international student albums on Facebook to see all photo contest entries.

2012 Video Contest: Uncharted Territories

Visit our YouTube channel to see all video contest entries.

2012 International Student Essay Contest: Coming to America

First place: Just Some thoughts by Maurice Harris, Jamaica

Second place: Coming to America by Fiona Wong, Malaysia

Third Place: Connections That Will Last a Lifetime by Shan Xiao, China