Campus Invited to Celebrate International Education

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 12, 2012) — Throughout the week of Nov. 12-16, the University of Kentucky will join institutions across the country to celebrate the benefits of international education and worldwide exchange.

International Education Week (IEW) is a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment. With 1,788 international students from more than 117 different countries, and more than 800 students who study abroad in more than 50 countries, UK is celebrating its commitment to international education through various events.

Students will have the opportunity to show off their vexillology skills throughout the week in a competition to correctly identify the flags hanging in the Atrium of the William T. Young Library. The person who correctly names the most flags will receive a $20 gift certificate from Ovid’s café, and in the event of multiple winners, one name will be drawn from the pool of winners.

Students can download a copy of the entry form here or pick one up at each entrance to the William T. Young Library. 

Monday, Nov. 12:

International Book Drive: The campus community can donate new and used books to the Lexington-based International Book Project. Bins will be placed in the William T. Young Library, Bradley Hall, the Student Center and the Gatton College of Business and Economics.

Hunger Awareness Banquet: The UK Center for Community Outreach will host a Hunger Awareness Banquet, which includes a free dinner, from 6-8 p.m., in the Student Center Small Ballroom. A guest speaker will discuss policy issues related to international hunger. Seats are limited; tickets are available at the information desk in Room 106 of the Student Center. This is a Tally cats event.

Tuesday, Nov. 13:

UK at the Half: International athlete Ben Stow and Associate Provost for International Programs Susan Carvalho will appear on “UK at the Half.” Ben Stow, a member of UK's golf team, is a junior from Salisbury, England, where he improved from No. 1,300 in the world to a top European player. "UK at the Half" airs during halftime of each UK football and basketball game broadcast on radio and is hosted by Carl Nathe.

Wednesday, Nov. 14:

Panel on Post Graduation Opportunities Abroad: A panel of international education professionals will discuss the many opportunities to volunteer, study, and teach in locations around the world. The panel will discuss organizations such as Peace Corps, SAI (Study Abroad Italy) , Teach for China , Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, Teach and Learn in Korea, Sister Cities Deauville and External Scholarships (Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Fulbright). This will take place from 5-6 p.m. in the Niles Gallery located in the Little Fine Arts Library. Free international food will be available after the panel discussion.

Thursday, Nov. 15:

Degrees of Abroad: In coordination with UK’s Common Reading Experience, Education Abroad is hosting a panel of alumni who will discuss their international experiences and answer questions from the audience. The panel discussion will take place at 6 p.m. in the William T. Young Library Gallery. In addition, a $500 scholarship sponsored by The Education Abroad Network, will be raffled for a Bluegrass Down-Under program.

The Myth & Reality of Islam in America: The UK Muslim Student Association has invited Shaykh Abdul Nasir Jangda to discuss misconceptions about the idea of Shariah, or "Islamic Law" in the context of modern American society. The talk, which begins at 7 p.m., in the Student Center Grand Ballroom, will be followed with an interactive question-and-answer session. A complimentary dinner will also be served at the event.

Friday, Nov. 16:

Cultural Coffee Hour: Each Friday, the International Student & Scholar Services and the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center sponsor Cultural Coffee Hour, in which UK students can come engage with international students over coffee in a diverse, multicultural atmosphere. This event takes place from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the VIP Center in Frazee Hall.

Interwoven: Rural Traditions, Modern Ties ~ Baskets from Appalachia and the Andes: This exhibit at the Lexington Public Library's Central Gallery, will explore the connections between Appalachia and the Andes through more than 100 hand-woven baskets. Though the exhibit is already open to the public, a reception will be held in the gallery from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16. 

Outside of these events, the Office of International Affairs has a lot to celebrate. This past year, the number of international students enrolled at UK increased by 13 percent, while the number of international undergraduates increased by 27 percent and the number of UK students enrolled in Education Abroad programs increased by 39 percent.

Susan Carvalho, associate provost for international programs, said the growth in the numbers of students coming and going internationally reflects the efforts of the Office of International Affairs, serving the UK community by facilitating the interaction of global students and scholars.

“We not only create diverse opportunities for global experiences, we also promote the involvement of UK faculty and students in the international community of scholars to investigate and solve global problems,” Carvalho said.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Geegan, (859) 257-5365; sarah.geegan@uky.edu