The University of Nebraska–Lincoln will celebrate its international community and global opportunities for students from Nov. 9-20. The events, offered both virtually and across campus, are part of International Education Week.
An annual celebration hosted at Nebraska and universities around the world, International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and Department of Education to celebrate the benefits of an international education. The official dates for the celebration run Nov. 16-20, but Nebraska has expanded its celebration to two weeks in order to accommodate students’ finals preparation for the shortened fall semester schedule.
“Although (International Education Week) looks different this year, we are nevertheless excited for this important celebration,” said Josh Davis, associate vice chancellor for global affairs. “The pandemic has continued to show us how interconnected our world truly is and how crucial a global education is for students. These events are a great opportunity to celebrate Nebraska’s global community and highlight opportunities available to students at this world-class land grant institution.”
Coordinated by the university’s Office of Global Strategies, the two-week celebration kicks off Nov. 9 with a booth hosted by ASUN’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee at the Union Plaza. It will featured information about International Education Week and Nebraska’s diverse student groups. That evening, students can also register to join a revamped version of the College of Business’s Global Café and Connections that will feature a virtual cooking lesson with one of Lincoln’s local chefs and coupons to local ethnic restaurants.
Other popular events that return this year include Suitcase to Briefcase: Selling Your Study Abroad Experience in Your Next Job Interview on Nov. 10 by the College of Business and College of Education and Human Sciences; the Nov. 11 Oxford Take Home High Tea session featuring Nebraska’s longest-running study abroad program; and the Nov. 18 Global Café on National and International Fellowships, hosted by the School of Global Integrative Studies and the university’s Fellowships Office.
Students, faculty and staff also have the opportunity to celebrate International Education Week with a variety of new events. While the International Student and Scholar Office couldn’t host the hit Global Huskers Festival again due to social distancing regulations, the staff and its global peer assistants have organized other events, including a Nov. 15 Bollywood Dance Class and a Nov. 20 International Karaoke Night with Student Involvement. Both events have virtual and limited in-person participation, but registration is required in advance. The Education Abroad Office will also be celebrating International Education Week virtually with Instagram takeovers and voting for the annual Education Abroad Photo Contest from Nov. 16-20.
Several events added this year will focus on global careers, professional development and experiences of faculty and staff. On Nov. 12, the Business Career Center has partnered with the School of Global Integrative Studies to host the chief executive office and founder of GoinGlobal for a discussion on how the pandemic has affected employment opportunities. The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources has also developed a variety of virtual events, including two conversations on global careers on Nov. 11 and 19, and a panel session with faculty speaking about how they connected their international experiences to student learning on Nov. 18.
Additional new events include three virtual lectures from the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and the Nov. 17 College of Education and Human Sciences’ Global Fair in the Nebraska Union Centennial Room. Social distancing and masks will be required at the fair, where students can learn more about global education opportunities. The university community is also invited to participate in regular international events hosted every week, including Coffee Talks, language tables, Huskers Abroad 101 sessions and the Kawasaki Reading Room’s Take Home Tea Time Fridays.
Other supporters of International Education Week include the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, International Business Club, Programs in English as a Second Language, University Career Services and University Communications.
View a full list of International Education Week 2020 events.
Editor’s note: In-person events are subject to change pending university guidelines about COVID-19.
