On Nov. 17-21, The Center for International Education (C.I.E.) organized and hosted its annual International Education Week event.
This event: “Is a time to recognize and honor our international students, students with international backgrounds, and those who have studied abroad. It is a week dedicated to celebrating global connections, cultural exchange, and the rich diversity that strengthens our campus community. Throughout the week, we’ll come together to share stories, traditions, and experiences that showcase the incredible value of international education.” – (Dr. May Lee, 2025)
International Potluck:
The event began on Monday, November 17, with an international potluck. This potluck was an introduction to and beginning of the International Education Week, with students and professors preparing dishes from their nationalities and sharing them with everyone. Dr. May Lee welcomed everyone and explained why this event is being held and what to expect from the international week in the following days.
There were two main speakers for the day: the office and administrative specialist Senior for the C.I.E., Jamie Leonard, and a student and C.I.E. staff member, Wesley Vue. These two went over detailed information about studying abroad, while also sharing their personal experiences.
Jamie Leonord explained her personal experience in England along with her daughter’s study in Kenya. Wesley Vue explained his experience studying abroad in Vietnam (need to double-check this) and Japan.
The event ended with Dr. May Lee allowing everyone to eat food and look forward to the Taste of Cultures event on the selected countries in the following days, presented by students. The countries presented between Nov.18-20 were Nepal, Malawi, Jamaica, and Mali.
Taste of Culture:
Throughout Nov.18-20, students from selected countries had the fantastic opportunity to present their countries and share food for people to try, hence the name Taste of Cultures. During this event, students from Nepal, Malawi, Jamaica, and Mali presented their countries. Students from these countries got to present their country’s history, religion, tradition, culture, art, videos, and many other interesting facts they wanted to explain that day.
The students also made dishes and snacks from their countries and shared them with everyone, giving them a taste of culture. During these presentations, the student presenters also prepared a playlist of famous songs from their countries for everyone to listen to and vibe while giving out food.
International Gala:
On November 21, International Education Week concluded with international trivia and a gala. The international trivia was a short event that featured interesting facts from countries around the world and tested whether participants could guess which country each fact was from. From 6 pm– to 11 pm, the International Gala was the main event of the day.
This event began with Wesley Vou and Alex Peries welcoming and thanking everyone for attending, which was open to anyone who had purchased a ticket to enjoy cultural foods, special talks from with professors, a fashion show, and student performances, all spectacular despite many technical difficulties.
The International Gala ended with Dr. May Lee thanking everyone for attending and participating in International Education Week. She invited everyone to the dance floor to close out this year’s International Education Week event.