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 381 students from over 81 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!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Global Spotlight: UCA in East Africa — Panel Discussion: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM, Ronnie Williams Student Center 223
Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Panel discussion with 4 faculty and 3 UCA international students. Building on our now decade-long success in Rwanda, the Center for Global Learning and Engagement at the University of Central Arkansas is preparing the way for students to travel with experienced faculty leaders to locations where the focus will be people, place, and partnership. Attendees will receive a brief historical overview of East Africa and learn more from faculty about upcoming education abroad opportunities for UCA undergraduate and graduate students in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
Faculty panelists: Dr. Leah Horton, Dr. Michael Kithinji, Dr. Brittany Saviers, and Dr. Angela Webster
Moderator: Dr. Phillip Bailey
Bridging the Gap: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Ronnie Williams Student Center Ballroom
Sponsors: Office of Diversity and Community & Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Come experience a night of cultural exchange with food sampling, music, dance exhibition, and fashion.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
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]
Workshop: Global Education in the First Year: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, McCastlain Fireplace Room — Registration Only
Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Guest Speaker: Dr. Geoff Pfeifer of WPI Worcester MA. This workshop & dinner provides a global learning framework for project-based learning (PBL) with first-year students. Participants will leave this session with inspiration, tools, and operational steps for integrating global learning and PBL into the first-year experience. The presentation will highlight how global learning is integrated into first-year courses in Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s distinctive Great Problems Seminars Program, the different points of entry used in engaging in global learning, and how to bring a global perspective to diverse subjects, including interdisciplinary engagement with arts, humanities, and sciences.
Salsa Night: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Ronnie Williams Student Center 215
Sponsor: Latino Student Association & Beta Kappa Chapter of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.
This is an opportunity to learn a variety of Latin dance moves. Get your dancing feet ready! Instructor Yan Guo (Glory) will teach students, faculty, and staff a variety of Latin dance moves for the first hour followed by 30 minutes of socialization.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Dining Around the World: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, UCA Cafeteria
Sponsors: UCA Team Global & Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Get a taste of international dishes at the Cafeteria during lunch. Featuring Brazilian Brigadeiro (dessert) & Japanese Nikujaga (main dish beef and potato stew).
Global Spotlight: Introduction to Kiswahili: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM, Irby, Room 204
Sponsors: Dr. Michael Kithinji & Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Dr. Michaeil Kithinji, Director of African and African American Studies at UCA & Associate Professor of History, offers a one-hour introduction to the African language Kiswahili. Spoken by an estimated 200 million people in East Africa, Kiswahili is in the Bantu language family and is one of the three official languages of the East African Community. In this session, participants will learn common greetings and practical phrases for everyday interactions. Samosas, a popular tasty treat in Kenya, will be served.
Trivia Night: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, McCastlain Fireplace Room — Registration Only
Sponsors: UCA Team Global & Student Government Association
Bring your friends and answer trivia questions. Be ready to answer questions for the category ‘international’. Come with your thinking cap on. Limited spots available! Prizes will be given to the winners. Register Here →
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Conversations Partners: Final Celebration: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, Central Baptist Church—Private event – Invitation Only
Sponsors: Central Baptist Church & Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Come together with your conversation partner and celebrate your accomplishments in the 9-week program.
International Film Showcase: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Stanley Russ Hall 103
Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement
This year we are highlighting our international students’ films and narrative projects during our first-ever International Film Showcase. Join us for a night of inspired storytelling as we celebrate international education week with an evening of original short films. Want your film to be a part of this showcase? → Submit your work using our Google Form HERE.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 -19
57th Arkansas Model United Nations Conference: Time and Location Varies
Sponsors: Department of Political Science, UCA Model United Nations RSO
UCA campus will host the 57th Arkansas Model United Nations conference for high school students in Arkansas and neighboring states. The Opening Session will be on November 18 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/
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
International Soccer Tournament: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Farris Fields Complex
Sponsor: UCA Ivorian Student Association, UCA African Student Association & Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Come join us for a fun-filled day of soccer! Sign up your team HERE. Matches will be 8-vs-8 with the winning team and the most valuable player receiving trophies.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22
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 very grateful for each and every one of our international students. During these challenging times, we want to celebrate UCA’s global community at a delicious Thanksgiving feast.