Syracuse University celebrates International Education Week with host of events, Nov. 13-19

Syracuse University celebrates International Education Week with host of events, Nov. 13-19November 06, 2006Sara Millersemortim@syr.edu

Syracuse University is hosting a weeklong series of activities and events as part of International Education Week (IEW), Nov. 13-19. A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, IEW promotes activities that prepare Americans for a global environment, including international students studying on U.S. campuses, study abroad programs for U.S. students, and the overseas exchange of faculty.

At SU, events begin Monday, Nov. 13, and conclude Sunday, Nov. 19, with the 27th Annual International Thanksgiving Celebration. IEW programs are sponsored by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; the Lillian and Emanuel Slutzker Center for International Services; University College and the English Language Institute; and SU Abroad.

“This is the fifth year that Syracuse University is supporting the State Department celebration of International Education Week,” says Patricia A. Burak, director of the Slutzker Center. “Over the years, we have included academic, cultural, social and musical presentations across the campus and the community, creating a wonderful ‘town and gown’ environment. Once again this year, activities range from film and panel discussions to food to music.”

Among the week’s activities at SU following the theme “Around the World in Seven Days”:

• On Monday, Nov.13 at 4:30 p.m., Beatriz Merino, former Prime Minister of Peru, will speak in the Eggers Public Events Room on the topic of the aftermath of the systematic corruption of the regime of Alberto Fujimori between the years of 1990 and 2000.

• On Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. in Room 207 of the Hall of Languages, Cesar Villalobos will present an Inca Son Flute Workshop in which participants will learn to make, assemble and then play the flute. Later that evening, the Inca Son Peruvian Performers will play in Goldstein Auditorium in the Schine Student Center at 7:30 p.m.

• On Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m., a large international program will be held in the Goldstein Auditorium and will include dance and musical presentations from Africa to Ukraine.

• Panel discussions throughout the week will feature experts on topics including international education and career opportunities, international study opportunities, cultural awareness and global research.

This year, a planning committee was formed to organize the week’s activities and offer expanded cultural and informational events on international education. Geraldine de Berly, associate dean of University College and director of the English Language Institute convened the committee in her capacity as president of the international honorary society Phi Beta Delta. “The event would not be possible without the talent and dedication of so many committed staff members,” says de Berly.

Other committee members include Elane Granger, associate director of SU Abroad; Thomas V. Wolfe, dean of Hendricks Chapel; Johanna Frieser, director of Light Work and Community Dark Rooms; Skip Greenblatt, Rika McKenna and Burak from the Slutzker Center for International Services; and Rohan Sheth of the SouthAsian Student Association.

All IEW events are free and require no advance registration. The Thanksgiving dinner is by invitation only. For a full schedule of events, visit: http://YeSU.syr.edu/iew.