International Education Week 2012

International Education Week (IEW) is an initiative by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education “to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.”

Lock Haven University’s Institute for International Studies held a full week of events beginning with an “unofficial” start to the week with a Day of the Dead celebration at Avenue 209 Coffee House. This event was part of the annual Culture Through Coffee series and included a presentation by Yessica Sanchez, an exchange student from Mexico, and Dr. Judy Brink whose studies are specialized in Day of the Dead customs and traditions.

In an effort to collaborate with the local community, international student participated in a first time event, ‘International Children’s Day at the YMCA.’ The children in attendance received a ‘passport’ and traveled around to different ‘countries’ to see some customs from around the world. To see photos from International Children’s Day at the YMCA, click HERE.

The official kick off to IEW was Monday, November 5 and started with tea and crumpets for the campus. Visiting campus on Monday night was belly dancer Maia Alexandra from Buffalo, NY. Alexandra performed several numbers and then held a workshop about belly dancing while exclaiming all the time “I love belly dancing!” Her enthusiasm was contagious as everyone in the room was soon learning the basics and having a great time. You can see a video of her performance HERE.

The Institute for International Studies also held an election watch party moderated by political scientists Dr. Brooke Harlowe and Dr. Stan Berard. The Parsons Union Building  Multi-Purpose Room was decked out with patriotic decorations and included discussion about the democratic process in the United States. International movie night followed and featured the documentary Babies, which contrary to its name, is about much more than. The films shows the customs of four cultures from around the world while documenting four babies from first breath to first birthday.

IIS Director, Rosana Campbell and IEW Keynote Speaker, Derreck Kayongo

Derreck Kayongo, who visited campus November 8, was the Keynote Speaker for IEW. Kayongo founded the Global Soap Project which recycles hotel soap and distributes it to countries in need. A native Ugandan, Kayongo fled to Kenya with his family after life under the dictatorship of Idi Amin became uncertain and massacres left many people dead in the streets. While attending college in the US, and seeing how much soap was wasted, Kayongo made a plan to give soap to people that could not afford it. Years later, after college, research and networking, the Global Soap project was born. Very animated, Kayongo kept the attention of the audience that packed Hamblin Hall of Flags. He spoke about the importance of making an impact on the world and leaving it better than it is now. Concluding with an African song, the whole audience was captivated and involved singing in Swahili the words that Kayongo had taught them as he danced around the room. Check out a video of the song HERE.

International scholarship information sessions were also held for both students and faculty. Scholarships discussed included the Fulbright, Boren and Gilman Scholarships. These conversations were led by members of the Fulbright Committee who has received a Fulbright as well as prepared students for submitting successful applications.

Closing International Education Week was another Culture Through Coffee event at Avenue 209. Mario Fanari, an exchange student, spoke about Italy and specifically the island of Sardinia. Fanari said he is very proud of where he comes from and many of the great people and customs that come from Italy. Lacy Pepperman, an LHU graduate, also shared some photos from her study abroad experience at the University of Cagliari.

Rosana Campbell, Director of the Institute from International studies said “International Education Week was a success and it was great to see such a wonderful turnout at the events.”