International Education Week at Wright State University seeks to celebrate international understanding

From October 30 to November 3, Wright State University is hosting a number of celebrations and events in recognition of International Education Week.

According to an article on Wright State University’s website, Michelle Streeter Ferrari, who serves as the director for the University Center for International Education, said of the weeklong event, “International Education Week is a joint venture of the U.S. Departments of State and Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences according to the International Education Week National initiative.”

International students on campus have increased in record numbers at Wright State University, something the university actively aims for. There are 11,036 international students at the school during this fall semester.

Streeter Ferrari discussed the ways in which Wright State University reaches international communities: “Our undergraduate and graduate applications are at a record high. We also provide opportunities for any student to study or complete an internship throughout the globe and give faculty members opportunities to teach abroad.” She went on to say, “I hope people can learn that international education is a broad area that covers many different spaces. We recruit international students to bring diversity to our campus, internationalize our classrooms, and bring the wealth of their culture and traditions here.”

Throughout the week, students will have the opportunity to observe, celebrate, and take part in many international traditions. Among the events will be pumpkin carving, dancing to mariachi music, enjoying foods from many cultures, and taking workshops focused on learning languages like Korean and Japanese. There will also be talks and presentations.

During the weeklong event, there is a reception at which Michelle Cipriano, who is a senior Spanish lecturer, will receive the 2023 International Education Award. 

Pascale Abadie, Ph.D., who is an associate professor of French, praised Cipriano and her recognition for this award, saying, “Modern languages faculty are known for operating education abroad activities, for developing innovative and internationally focused curricula, and for providing services to international students and scholars. These attributes are part and parcel of Michelle Cipriano.”

Cipriano said that foreign language education is important to help improve speaking skills, and in a broader sense, that in addition to studying foreign languages, one should study foreign cultures. 

“When you learn about another country it makes you reflect on our culture, good and bad, on things that can be improved upon,” said Cipriano.

All of the events of International Education week are intended, according to Streeter Ferrari, to help people see “we’re all interconnected, to understand that we’re all human, to see that we’re more similar than different.”

The culminating celebration of International Education Week comes on November 9: The Indian Student Association is organizing a Festival of Lights. 

A full lineup for the week can be found on the event’s webpage.

For more information about Wright State University, visit the school’s website.