This week is when Eastern Michigan University will be celebrating different cultures and nations with International Week.
“The week-long activities aim to promote awareness and appreciation of cultures around the world,” according to their Web page.
International Week is not new to EMU, although there are plans to expand the event this year.
Miren Shehu, a graduate assistant at the Office of International Students, said there will be more events and more offices working together than ever before.
Aside from all the activities, there will also be more of an educational component to International Week according to Dr. Betsy Morgan, the director of International Initiatives and liaison for accreditation as well as co-chair of International Week.
“We wanted to get the faculty more involved since they have a lot of expertise,” Morgan said. She said she handled the academic aspect while International Student Specialist Julia Beaver planned the activities.
On the first day of the event, which also coincides with the National United Nations Day, EMU’s Model United Nations will be giving a demonstration with professors.
Tuesday will feature Fulbright scholars from EMU presenting on their international experiences. The Fulbright Program is a government-sponsored academic program to advance international exchange in the nation’s educational system.
One of the highlights of the week will come on Wednesday when Fulbright scholar and former Jordanian Minister of Culture Faisal Al-Rouh will speak about why he believes peace is possible in the Middle East.
Aside from the educational activities there will also be many cultural activities, including international music and lobby tables set up where students can learn other languages.
“There will also be a recording booth where students can stop by and record what they think, why they came to Eastern, what they’ve learned about international cultures and what they’ve brought to EMU’s culture,” said Morgan.
Another addition this year is the increase of movies being shown.
During the week students will have 21 opportunities to view a movie depicting a different culture or country, including Academy Award-caliber films such as “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Babel.”
Shehu pointed out that one of the biggest events will be the EMU World Cup Soccer Tournament, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday. He said this is the first time this event has ever taken place during International Week.
Another main event is the International Game Night on Thursday, which will showcase games from different countries.
The event was a popular one last year. Sophomore and sociology major Melanie Blackney voiced her approval.
“I was introduced to how other cultures have fun,” she said.
International Week is a part of the larger International Education Week according to Morgan.
Although this national event actually takes place during the second week of November, EMU is having theirs early, to avoid conflicts with other events.
For additional information and a full calendar of the week’s events visit www.emich.edu/iw.
