International Education Week, part of a worldwide commitment toshowcasing International cultures kicked off yesterday at TheUniversity of Memphis.
A photo exhibit and games of the world at the University Centerlaunched the event, sponsored by the Center for InternationalPrograms and Services at The U of M.
The program "has been very successful in other schools, and wehope that it grows (at The University of Memphis)," said RebeccaLaumann, study abroad director.
Around the U.S. 41 other states will be participating, alongwith 65 other countries. The concert finishes at the end of thisweek. The global celebration is sponsored by the U.S. StateDepartment and the U.S. Department of Education.
"To show everybody on camps different parts of the world," saidKara Wilber, president of the International Student Association."It also shows how we (all) do the same things but in differentways."
The International Education Week will feature a student andfaculty panel on sharing international experiences, Nov. 19, fromnoon, to 1:30 p.m.
The panel invited will share their experiences with student ofthe their trials and experiences in foreign countries, includingthe United States.
Ultimately, according to the ex-president of the InternationalStudent Association, Erika Chung, International Education week,"will promote the interchange of between American and internationalstudents."
And this will be instep with the topic of the keynote speaker,Meghan Carr, whose topic will be "opening doors with internationalexperience."
Carr, who was instrumental in bringing a pair of pandas fromChina to the Memphis Zoo, was chosen because of her experienceliving in China, said Laumann.
Carr will speak Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Elington HallAuditorium from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thorough out the week at the University Center their will bestudy abroad information fair. Student can get information aboutstudying in different countries, as well as talk to someinternational students who can answer questions about their homecountries.
"We want to make students aware of the services The Universityoffers to students to be connected and exposed to the rest of theworld," said Chung.
International Education Week will wrap up with a reception atthe Holiday Inn Hotel at The University of Memphis Saturday, Nov.,22. The closing reception will feature a live salsa band and theevent is $5.
This program has been sponsored by the U.S. government for fouryears to achieve cultural understanding. Here on campus, "it'sachieving as much as it can but we have a long way to go, but weare getting there," according to Chung, "the programs aregood."
