International Education Week

EOU celebrates International Education Week

Nov. 18, 2019 LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University joins other institutions nationwide to celebrate International Education Week from Nov. 18 to 22.

The International Student Services Office sponsors cultural and study abroad events during the week as a way to promote exchanges of global ideas, advance diversity, and celebrate international experiences with the campus community.

“International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide,” said Mika Morton, Assistant Director of International Student Service at EOU.

The annual recognition is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. It’s part of a national effort to prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders to study abroad while welcoming those from abroad to study in the U.S.

All week long, the Multicultural Center will host, “Make your Mark on the World.” Students are invited to mark their or their family’s home country, locate three countries they wish to visit, and the countries they’ve visited on a world map. Plus, the Mountie Café plans to feature international dishes during International Education week in addition to its usual menu of global fare.

EOU begins the week with Global Conversations from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 in the Multicultural Center on the second floor of Hoke Union Building. Attendees learn phrases in a new language from students who speak a non-English language. The informal “world cafe style” event also features refreshments.

On Tuesday, students interested in studying abroad can stop by the Multicultural Center from 2 to 3 p.m. to learn more about the logistics of student travel. The information sharing session focuses on details such as passport applications and when to apply, discount student travel, visa requirements, and more.

The conversation continues at the same time Wednesday when financial aid counsellors will be in the Multicultural Center to share information about how students can use financial aid for study abroad programs, as well as how scholarships can help cover expenses. International Student Services will provide scholarship information from EOU’s study abroad affiliates and other third-party organizations.

All day on Thursday, the entire campus community is invited to wear traditional dress from their home country. From the Indian sari to the Scottish kilt, the world is full of different varieties of traditional dress. Participants will gather for a group photo at the Multicultural Center at 4:30 p.m.

That evening, from 5 to 5:30 p.m., EOU faculty members will share information about faculty-led programs in Ireland next summer. Students can earn EOU credits in anthropology (ANTH 310 Anthropology of Ireland), English (ENG 448 James Joyce, “Ulysses”), and theatre (THEA 310 Irish Theater) at Maynooth University in Dublin during summer 2020.

The week wraps up with a Global Bites event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday in the Multicultural Center. Attendees can sample small servings of international food made by various student groups, free of charge.

View the full list of events at eou.edu/intprog/international-education-week. For additional information, contact Mika Morton at the International Student Services Office in Hoke 209 or at 541-962-3406 or by email at mnmorton@eou.edu.