International Education Week 2024

International Education Week (IEW) is a national program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. With 359 students from 76 countries here at UCA, IEW gives these students the opportunity to share many facets of their culture with the community. Additionally, during this week we promote education abroad with the Office of Education Abroad, and show how the work of academic departments and students can have a global impact!

In celebration of International Education Week, the Center for Global Learning and Engagement invites faculty, students, and staff to attend the events listed below. 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16

International Soccer Tournament: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Farris Fields Complex 
Sponsor: UCA Ivorian Association, African Student Association, Center for Global Learning & Engagement, Campus Intramurals

Come join us for a fun-filled day of soccer! Matches will be 8-vs-8 with the winning team and the most valuable player receiving trophies.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18

National Student Exchange Virtual Fair: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Virtual
Sponsor: Office of Education Abroad

This event provides students an opportunity to explore various NSE options. Many students seek universities in specific regions or with certain characteristics, making this an invaluable chance to discover new opportunities.
• 1-2pm: Study Abroad in Canada
• 2-3pm: Wilderness and Adventure Campuses
• 3-4pm: Hidden Gems: Connecting with Campuses off the Beaten Path (UCA featured in this session)

Register for sessions here

Global Cinema @ The Max: 7:00 PM, The Max Event Venue
Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement and Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing

A night celebrating short films made by UCA film students that are shot internationally, have an international focus or are produced by international students. Also, featuring a sneak peak premiere of “El Arte del Tiempo”, a short film produced by a UCA Study Abroad class in Guadalajara, Mexico. Q& A and reception to follow. Roundtrip transportation from the UCA campus to the event is available upon registration.

Register to attend and reserve transportation from UCA campus

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Talking Travel and Trivia with Education Abroad: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Student Center Lobby
Sponsor: Office of Education Abroad

Join the Office of Education Abroad in the Student Center to learn more about study abroad and study away programming at UCA. Answer global trivia to win candy and fun door prizes!

National Student Exchange Virtual Fair: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Virtual
Sponsor: Office of Education Abroad

This event provides students an opportunity to explore various NSE options. Many students seek universities in specific regions or with certain characteristics, making this an invaluable chance to discover new opportunities.
• 1-2pm: Great NSE Roadtrip
• 2-3pm: NSE Alumni Panel
• 3-4pm: Big City Campuses

Register for sessions here

Global Learning Scholar Program Information Session: 4:00 PM – 5:00PM, Schichtl Hall 115
Private event – Invitation Only
Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement

Students will learn more about the Global Learning Scholar Program at UCA. The Global Learning Scholar Program (GLSP) encourages students to choose academic coursework with global learning content for their programs of study. 

Conversation Partners Final celebration: 5:00 PM -7:00PM, Perspectives Building 
Private event – Invitation Only
Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement

Come together with your conversation partner and celebrate your accomplishments in the 8 week program! Conversation Partners is a program open to anyone, Americans or international students, interested in learning about culture and communication between cultures. The program matches students in an effort to promote global awareness, diversity in understanding, and cultural exchange.

Japanese Calligraphy: 6:00 PM -9:00PM, Torreyson West, Room 320 
Sponsor: UCA Japanese Club

Come join the UCA Japanese club to create 2025 calendars using Japanese calligraphy!

Fantasy Painting: 6:30 PM, Ronnie Williams Student Center, Room 215 
Sponsor: Hermadad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc

A fun and educational night learning about Aztec spirit guides, ending with the opportunity to paint your own alebrejies!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20

Virtual Trivia: Battle of the Halls 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, EVERYWHERE!  Registration Only
Sponsors: UCA Team Global, UCA Resident Housing Association & Center for Global Learning and Engagement

Earn bragging rights for your hall as you form teams and compete in our 2nd annual “Virtual Trivia: Battle of the Halls”! A trophy will be awarded to the hall that scores the most points! Be looking for an email from your Hall staff about this event!  Join the Trivia here…

Dining Around the World: UCA Cafeteria 
Sponsors: UCA Team Global & Center for Global Learning and Engagement

Get a taste of international dishes at the Cafeteria during lunch. This year two Middle Eastern soups will be featured.  We hope you enjoy!

National Student Exchange Virtual Fair: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Virtual
Sponsor: Office of Education Abroad

This event provides students an opportunity to explore various NSE options. Many students seek universities in specific regions or with certain characteristics, making this an invaluable chance to discover new opportunities.
• 1-2pm: Study Spanish in Puerto Rico
• 2-3pm: Island Campuses: Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii
• 3-4pm: NSE & Your Major: From Psychology to Biosystems Engineering, NSE CAN work for you!

Register for sessions here

Workshop: Introduction to Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL): 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Schichtl Hall, Room 114
Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement

Faculty can learn about Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), a type of virtual exchange program where professors from different countries design a class project that connects their classrooms. COIL projects help to increase students’ intercultural awareness and align with Global Goals.

Register for COIL Workshop

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21

Global Expo: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Ronnie Williams Student Center Courtyard

 Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement

Global Expo is an opportunity for all internationally related RSOs and departments to represent their culture or mission to the whole campus.  Attendees will get a “passport” to travel through the  Global Expo. After you have collected enough “stamps”, you will get a FREE T-shirt! [While supplies last]

Japanamania!: 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Schichtl Hall, Room 111 
Sponsors: Center for Global Learning and Engagement & UCA School of Language and Literature

Please join UCA’s Japanese faculty, Dr. Tim Strikwerda and David House for a fun introduction to the Japanese language. Joining our UCA faculty, is Dr. Kae Hashimoto Reed, an instructor at UCA Community Language School and Arkansas Tech University, who will introduce you to Manga, including its history, art, and culture through popular series. To conclude the session, we will enjoy some tasty Japanese dishes!  

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22-23

59th Arkansas Model United Nations Conference: Times Vary; Main Hall, McCastlain Hall, and Student Center
Sponsors: Department of Political Science, UCA Model United Nations RSO

UCA campus will host the 59th Arkansas Model United Nations conference for high school students in Arkansas and neighboring states. The Opening Session will be on November 22 at 1:00 in Ida Waldran Auditorium (Main Hall). All sessions are open to the public. For more information: https://uca.edu/politicalscience/model-united-nations/amun/conference/

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25

Thanksgiving Dinner: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, McCastlain Ballroom — Private event – Invitation Only
 Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement

The Center for Global Learning and Engagement is thankful for each and every one of our international students and are pleased to celebrate UCA’s global community with a delicious Thanksgiving feast!