Why do we do what we do? Is it worth the time, energy and effort to work in international education? It’s been a pretty tough couple years so here’s to all those tirelessly striving to make the world a better place and who are celebrating International Education week!
It was about 80 years ago when one of the first Saudi Arabian cohorts were chosen to study abroad in the USA, one of the students studied first at the University of Washington and subsequently UCLA. As we celebrate international education, its significance goes without saying that our international community is courageous, active and inspiring. Have we done it right? Could we improve? Of course we can. But what matters is that the purpose and intent is that you’re impacting each person leaving a legacy of generations to follow.
Without a doubt, the hard efforts of global offices throughout the USA have tirelessly planned programming to celebrate global experiences and study abroad. Here’s a peek at a few school events planned this week!
- Boston University Global Programs: Share a Piece of Your Identity and Culture: International Tongue twisters
- Shoreline CC: Auditions for a Kitchen in the World
- UC Santa Barbara: THis is Me/Us–a Cultural Open Mic
- Northeastern University Office of Global Services: Beyond Borders: Ireland
- University of Minnesota: International Poetry Festival
- St. Mary’s University: Exploring Our Spanish Connections- A highlight of the week will be a visit from The Honorable Cristóbal R. Valdés, Consul General of Spain, who will be the keynote speaker
- University of Idaho: Careers Supporting Global Sustainable Development Goals
- University of Nebraska Omaha: Cafe International
- Webster University: Silent Disco
- Kent State: Painting Mt. Fuji in Japan
The purpose of international education is summarized here-This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences. (https://iew.state.gov/)
80 years have come and gone but the profound impact on one of the first Saudi Arabian students can’t be forgotten. That same student went on to become an ambassador to 3 countries, sending his 3 children to study in the U.S. and, today his grandchildren are studying abroad. If there was any argument for international education, just look at the hundreds of students who studied abroad and influenced generations; politically, economically and socially. So here’s a shout-out to the many international educators who work in the world of international education and making a difference to those lives you touch every single day.
