How will you Get Involved?

Among cultural and academic exchange programs around the globe, people will be celebrating the benefits of international education during International Education Week 2017.  Both the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S Department of State believe international education programs prepare students for a better global environment and allows these students to experience life in the United States. This allows for a cross-cultural sharing of family, educational, and cultural values. Students from around the world come to the United States to study, learn, and share their own experiences. This week-long celebration includes events and festivals in more than 100 countries. Host families will benefit as well. What a wonderful way to watch your student interact with their peers from other countries while learning all about other cultures. You will appreciate your student more because you know and understand the world in which they came. You will also get to know other host families and be able to share the joys of having an international student in your home.

• At UC Davis you can attend workshops, art classes and attend a kick-off event for Global Engagement
• UC San Diego offers a flag parade, forums and a Triton World Cup
• Florida Atlantic University is holding discussion panels as well as Global Lunch and Learn sessions
• In Massachusetts, various elementary, middle and high schools are offering international storytelling times, exposures to world maps showing students’ countries of origin and poetry and art festivals

Getting Involved in Your Community

Regardless of the location in which you live, there are always educational events you and your family can attend during International Education Week. To make this special week more personal for you and your family; consider organizing your own community celebrations. Below are a just a few sample budget-friendly ideas you can easily organize in your community.

1. Invite other host families into your home for an international party which can include a cultural potluck, games, songs, stories, and even a movie.
2. Host a “Sports Party” involving the country from which your student resides. If you or your children are involved in sports, compare the sport with one from your host student’s country.
3. Have people over for an art lesson or two and have your student teach the lesson.
4. Learn the language of your international student. Study the background to the language and have a conversation with others.
5. Share photos of your student and their home. Have them share about their family and home with a group of other students.
6. Visit a local university, college, embassy, etc. to find out how they’re celebrating.
7. Host a game night with your children and host student. Each child selects their favorite game to play. While you are playing the game, discuss how each game is unique and why it is their favorite.
8. Create an international passport booklet and study about a new country each day. Stamp or draw a symbol of that country in their passport at the end of each lesson. Invite other families to join in the fun and host a “country” party in their home the next time.
9. Attend a local symposium or presentation together discussing cultural and educational differences between countries. Have dinner at a local cultural restaurant afterwards.
10. Become a restaurant critic. Make a different dish from somewhere around the world each night and have everyone write a food review. Discuss the reviews and create a recipe book of all the favorite recipes. You can even video the presentation of reviews for fun!

For more information regarding International Education Week, check out Facebook or Twitter.

Citation:

• International Education Week 2017: https://iew.state.gov/
• Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: https://eca.state.gov
• Homeland Security: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov

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