Russell Ganim, guest opinion, The Press-Citizen
For decades, the U.S. Department of State has designated the third week in November to recognize the value of a global curriculum at the K-16 level.
International Education Week, Nov. 15-19, serves as a bridge between cultures, if not worlds. It offers all learners the chance to pursue their curiosity about the planet’s languages and civilizations, while providing information about globally focused experiential learning opportunities at home and abroad.
Due to COVID-19, last year’s International Education Week activities at Iowa and elsewhere took place almost exclusively online. This fall, as we emerge from the pandemic, virtual will still be the coin of the realm, but many activities will offer an in-person component. On the UI campus, the program includes numerous cultural events, information sessions on research opportunities, lectures by experts in global education, a global health case competition, and the UI’s International Impact and Global Student Awards celebration via the WorldCanvass forum in International Programs.