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The University of California, San Diego is going global for its
sixth annual International Education Week, Nov. 15-19. A parade of flags,
dance performances and former astronaut Candace Kohl speaking
about the interplanetary travels of meteorites are just a sampling of
the events designed to celebrate the critical role that international
education and exchange play in fostering world peace.
Initiated in 2000 by the U.S. Department of State and the Department of
Education, International Education Week emphasizes the importance of
increasing student knowledge and awareness of the world’s cultures,
peoples and languages.
“This year’s International Education Week enhances international
awareness on campus and commemorates UC San Diego’s global impact since
the campus was founded in 1960,” said Lynn C. Anderson, UC San Diego’s
dean of International Education. “As the university celebrates 50 years
of achieving the extraordinary, it’s important to recognize our
accomplishments hosting international students and scholars annually. In
addition, UC San Diego is ranked seventh in the nation for the number
of students we send abroad for a full academic year and participation in
short-term study abroad programs has more than doubled in the last 10
years.”
The various activities planned for students, faculty staff and
community during International Education Week include lectures,
internationally-themed meals, cultural presentations, workshops and an
international student festival. Among the more than 25 events planned
for the week are:
- International Education Week opening ceremonies and flag parade: 10:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Mon., Nov. 15. The celebration kicks off with a colorful parade of flags featuring students, faculty and staff carrying flags that represent countries throughout the world. The parade begins at the corner of Gilman and Myers and will wind through the campus, ending at International House for a tapas lunch.
- Keynote speaker Candace Kohl on “International Travels and Interplanetary Messengers”: 3-5 p.m. Tues., Nov. 16. UC San Diego alumna and former astronaut Kohl will discuss how meteorites, the oldest solid material from the formation of the solar system, tell a story billions of years old. Kohl attended UC San Diego just after the Apollo 11 Mission returned the first lunar material; she received her Ph.D. in physics studying some of the first samples from the moon. Kohl has continued her work with studies of meteorites and has done fieldwork on all seven continents. Kohl will have samples available at the International Center Lounge including pieces of the asteroid belt, the moon and Mars.
- International Education Week student festival: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wed., Nov. 17. Students from around the world will celebrate and showcase their culture and talents at UC San Diego through artistic displays, music, ethnic clothing, dance and food. Colorful table exhibits will be mounted on Library Walk and vibrant dance and music performances will be presented at the Price Center Plaza by groups such as the Chinese Music Ensemble, Tango Concepts and the UC San Diego Hawaii Club.
- International Education Week closing ceremony: noon-1:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 20. The traditional demonstrations of an Argentine tango, Cuban salsa and Hawaiian dance will follow an International Café lunch. Chancellor Marye Anne Fox will join in the festivities marking the end of International Education Week.
UC San Diego’s International Education Week activities and videos are frequently featured on the U.S. Department of State/U.S. Department of Education website as examples of campus events. For more information about UC San Diego’s celebration and a full calendar of events, visit http://iew.ucsd.edu.