Campus International Education Week Celebration is Largest Ever

Christine Clark | November 19, 2007

The opening reception for International Education Week.

Click here to view a slideshow of IEW 2007.

A variety of cultures were on display in the form of music, dance, food, fashion and more Nov. 13 – 16 during UC San Diego’s third-annual International Education Week (IEW). The weeklong celebration was the result of a major collaborative effort between various campus offices, academic departments and student organizations.  

This IEW saw a larger number of sponsors and events than previous years, according to IEW Co-Chair Dulce Dorado. “The events have emphasized the importance of studying, living and working abroad,” Dorado said. “But they also show the variety of ways for students to get an international experience without physically going abroad.”

IEW kicked off with an opening reception that was that was co-hosted by the Model United Nations. The student group served international food, such as baklava and hosted international-themed games. Attendees mingled and listened to music from the Gypsy Kings and Manu Chao.

The reception was attended by various faculty, staff and students and was followed by a presentation from Carol Sasaki, founder of the International Humanity Foundation. Sasaki spoke about the illegal trafficking of sex slaves. Although the subject matter in Sasaki’s presentation was dark, the material was relevant to current events because sex trafficking is an often overlooked but very common practice, according to International Education Week co-chair Christi Gilhoi.  “We owe the world more than just a celebration of fun and food,” Gilhoi said.

Students at the Cuban booth put on a salsa dancing performance during the International Student Festival on Library Walk.

Other events included the IEW student festival, which took place Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students from countries in South America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East volunteered at the festival to spread awareness about their culture. “Not that many students have been to France,” Education Abroad Program (EAP) French student Cindy Ung said. “So I liked having the opportunity to tell them more about my country.”

There were almost 50 tables representing different regions on Library Walk during the festival. In addition, there was a talent and fashion show.

Daniel Aiex is an EAP student from Rio de Janeiro who volunteered at the Brazilian table. He said he was proud to promote tourism in his native country.  “I miss Rio,” Aiex said.

Volunteers at the Cuban booth danced to Cuban music and served a classic Cuban dish of chicken, rice and black beans. Tiffany Ornelas was volunteering at the table and she said that music and food are some of the most important aspects of Cuban culture.

Students were in a celebratory mode, yet some, such as Yuki Murakami, used the occasion to promote humanitarian causes. Murakami volunteered at the Amnesty International booth. “It is very important to celebrate and appreciate cultures around the globe,” Murakami said. “But we must also recognize that so many of the people of these cultures are constantly in danger and they struggle for a voice.”

Jean-Marc Hachey gave students a blueprint to finding international careers that would fit them.

Other international events included a talk from Jean-Marc Hachey on international careers at the Eleanor Roosevelt College Great Hall. Hachey is the author of The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas.  More than 100 students attended Hachey’s presentation about learning to work in the global economy.

Other featured events included the annual Study-Work-Intern-Travel Abroad Information Fair and the Programs Abroad Expo. The Expo had information on more than 70 programs worldwide.

The closing ceremony of IEW included remarks from Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. In addition, Michael Stroot, a renowned chef from the Golden Door Spa served up a diverse menu at the International Center and the last event of the week featured a performance by the Whirling Dervishes, a group of Turkish monks who perform the religious ritual of whirling.

“The turn-out was been far beyond my expectations,” Dorado said. “With nearly 50 events, there was something for everyone.”