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International Student & Scholar Services

International Education Week

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This week seeks to advance cultural understanding as well as protect cultural heritage. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.

IEW at Vanderbilt University is a collaboration among ISSS and many other campus partners and organizations. This year’s IEW Committee included representatives from ISSS, the Career Center Fellowships Team, Employee Immigration Services, the English Language Center, and the Office of Experiential Learning  & Immersion Vanderbilt.

This year, IEW takes place from November 13 – 17, 2023. Please see below for all of the IEW events taking place at Vanderbilt! Please check the schedule frequently for the most up-to-date information, as dates and locations are subject to change.

Questions about IEW? Contact Andrea in ISSS.

IEW 2023 Schedule

Friday, November 10th
Monday, November 13th
Tuesday, November 14th
Wednesday, November 15th
Thursday, November 16th
Friday, November 17th

Friday, November 10th

  • Treats of the World: Enjoy free treats from around the world and kick-off IEW! Come by our table in Sarratt to grab a free bag of international candy while supplies last! 11AM to 2PM, Sarratt Promenade. Sponsored by Employee Immgreation Services (OIS), the English Language Center (ELC), and ISSS. 

Monday, November 13th

  • Implications of Climate Change for a Sustainable Future (Research Symposium): The Graduate School is hosting a research symposium on climate change and sustainability. Four faculy members will present their work; a short moderated discussion will follow. Box lunches will be provided. 11AM to 1PM, Alumni Hall 202. Registration is required; please RSVP here. Sponsored by the Graduate School.
  • Maymester Fair: Learn about study abroad options during Maymester. 11AM to 1PM, Sarratt 203 Promenade. Sponsored by the College of Arts and Science.
  • IEW Teaching English Abroad Panel: Interested in teaching English abroad? Hear the experiences of Vanderbilt graduate students, staff, and alumni. 12:30PM to 1:30PM. This session is virtual; click here for the Zoom details. Sponsored by the ELC, Career Center, and Fellowships Team at the Career Center.
  • Study Abroad Info Session: Interested in studying abroad? Join the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt to learn more about program options, using study abroad as your immersive experience and how to get started on your application! 4PM to 5PM, Student Life Center, Suite 109. Sponsored by the Office of Experiential Learning & Immersion Vanderbilt.
  • Language Tables: Co-hosted by faculty and students, the language tables offer opportunities to have conversations in a variety of languages. Whether it be a heritage language you speak, or a language you are learning, all proficiency levels are welcome to attend and converse in the target language. The event has partnered with Zeppos Dining Hall to also provide meals (via meal swipe or by using an accepted payment method) from the region where the language is spoken. Sponsored by the Vanderbilt Center for Languages and Zeppos Dining Hall.
    • Spanish Table: 5PM to 6PM, Zeppos Dining Hall
    • Japanese Table: 6PM to 7PM, Zeppos Dining Hall
  • Lanterns: Lanterns is one of Multicultural Leadership Council’s (MLC) capstone events that aims to elevate voices from Vanderbilt’s international community. The theme this year is “Community and Growth.” Our international family will be sharing stories about their time at Vanderbilt and how they found a sense of belonging. The student body is invited to attend this event and learn about their diverse experiences. There will be free food from various international restaurants in Nashville, as well as a lottery for audience members during and after the event. For more details and to RSVP, please see AnchorLink. 6PM to 8PM, Sarratt Cinema. Sponsored by the MLC.

Tuesday, November 14th

  • Graduate School International Breakfast with the Dean: This breakfast is open to all students in the Graduate School. No RSVP is required. 9AM to 10AM, Alumni Hall 206. Sponsored by the Graduate School.
  • United Nations Association Information Session: This session will provide an information session for students and the public to learn about the United Nations and its various international agencies as well as the United Nations Association and its chapters, specifically the Nashville Cordell-Hull Chapter’s programs and activities to support the 17 UN Sustainable Goals. The Chapter would like to invite students to be actively engaged for their professional development, for UN fellowship opportunities, and to be of service to address local community needs. 9:30AM to 10:30AM, Sarratt 189. Sponored by the United Nations Association.
  • Boren Scholarship/Fellowship Session: Join the Fellowships Team and administrators from the Institute for International Education and NSEP to learn about opportunities for intensive language study, research, internships and more through the Boren Scholarship (for undergraduates) and Boren Fellowship (for grad students) programs. Boren supports programs in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East & North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and in 60+ languages. Flagship programs include AFLI (French, Swahili, Akan/Twi, Wolof, Zulu); SAFLI (Hindi, Urdu); SEAFLI (Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese) and Turkish. 2:30pm to 3:30pm. This session is virtual; please check Handshake for details. Sponsored by the Fellowships Team at the Career Center.
  • Financial Wellness for International Students: Managing a budget can be tricky, especially in a city like Nashville, where the cost of living is expensive and increases annually. Additionally, international students face the added challenge of budgeting while navigating F-1/J-1 restrictions on employment. The Center for Student Wellbeing will discuss some strategies for managing a budget and some related resources in this session. 3:30PM to 4:30PM. This session is virtual; please register here. Sponsored by the Center for Student Wellbeing and ISSS.
  • Language Tables: Co-hosted by faculty and students, the language tables offer opportunities to have conversations in a variety of languages. Whether it be a heritage language you speak, or a language you are learning, all proficiency levels are welcome to attend and converse in the target language. The event has partnered with Zeppos Dining Hall to also provide meals (via meal swipe or by using an accepted payment method) from the region where the language is spoken. Sponsored by the Vanderbilt Center for Languages and Zeppos Dining Hall.
    • Italian & French Table: 5PM to 6PM, Zeppos Dining Hall
    • Chinese Table: 5:30PM to 6:30PM, Zeppos Dining Hall
    • Russian Table: 6PM to 7PM, Bellview House
  • International Education Week Game Night: Join SCSJI as we celebrate International Education Week with an interactive game night! Come enjoy an evening of food, drink, and merriment as you play some international popular games! 6:30PM to 8:30PM, Multicultural Community Space. Sponsored by the Student Center for Social Justice & Inclusion.

Wednesday, November 15th

  • International Education in French and Italian: All are welcome. The goals of this event are to encourage undergraduates in French and Italian to find out more about our opportunities and to allow international students who speak French or Italian to come by, meet program staff, and make connections with our programs, students, and faculty. Breakfast and informational handouts will be provided. 8:30AM to 10AM, Furman 209. Sponsored by the Department of French & Italian. 
  • World on Wednesday: Education around the World – Perspectives and Stories: World on Wednesdays (WoW) is a forum for students, staff, faculty, and community presentations, informal conversations, and topical lectures on global issues. In this session, three of this year’s Humphrey Fellows will share their experiences of education in Madagascar, Mexico, and Nigeria. Lunch will be provided. 12PM to 1PM, Sarratt 189. Registration is required; RSVP here. Sponsored by ISSS and the Humphrey Fellows Program.
  • Wanderful World: Are you ready for Thanksgiving break? To celebrate IEW, join the Peabody community to play games, share tasty international snacks, and meet up with old and new friends! 2PM to 6PM, Mayborn 117. RSVP here. Sponsored by Peabody International Students and Affairs.
  • Introduction to CliftonStrengths: Participants will have the opportunity to take the CliftonStrengths Assessment during the first half of the program. This will be followed by a presentation that discusses the background, history, and framework of CliftonStrengths, why it is advantageous to focus on strengths, and how to interpret individual results. Participants will have the opportunity to schedule individual consultations after the program in order to have more personalized coaching around their results. This event is open to international graduate students and postdocs. 3PM to 5PM, Eskind Biomedical Library Training Room 010. Space is limited; RSVP here. Sponsored by the Graduate and Postdoc Academic Services Program.
  • Fulbright Fellowship Session: This session will discuss the Fulbright program for prospective students. 4PM to 5PM. This session is virtual; please register here. Sponsored by the Fellowships Team at the Career Center and the Institute of International Education.
  • Language Tables: Co-hosted by faculty and students, the language tables offer opportunities to have conversations in a variety of languages. Whether it be a heritage language you speak, or a language you are learning, all proficiency levels are welcome to attend and converse in the target language. The event has partnered with Zeppos Dining Hall to also provide meals (via meal swipe or by using an accepted payment method) from the region where the language is spoken. Sponsored by the Vanderbilt Center for Languages and Zeppos Dining Hall.
    • German Table: 5PM to 6PM, Zeppos Dining Hall
    • Korean Table: 6PM to 7PM, Zeppos Dining Hall
    • Russian Table: 6PM to 7PM, Bellview House

Thursday,November 16th

  • International Employee Affinity Group Meet & Greet: This is a social luncheon for the International Employee Affinity Group (IEAG). The IEAG creates professional and social opportunities for international faculty and staff to provide a welcoming and nurturing environment in which they can thrive. 12PM to 2PM; Sarratt/Rand 325/327 Sponsored by OIS and the IEAG.
  • Education in Pakistan: Nadeem Hussain, co-author of the book “Agents of Change: The Problematic Landscape of Pakistan’s K-12 Education and the People Leading the Change,” will be the virtual guest speaker (virtual) at this event. He will discuss the broader problems of K-12 education in Pakistan from a comparative lens. He will also discuss viable solutions that have worked in improving literacy, alleviating poverty, and advancing societal development by looking at the educational problems from an intersectional viewpoint. Nadeem’s book offers an insight on the model of ‘The Citizens Foundation’ – the largest educational nonprofit organization in Pakistan –  that highlights advancements in educational research and offers a template for improving the educational system that is equitable for all. This event will be a good opportunity for students interested in comparative education to get a glimpse of the K-12 education system in Pakistan. This will allow students to perform better analyses as they go on their journey of becoming educationalists. 3PM to 4PM. This event is hybrid; virtual attendees can register here, and in-person attendees can go to Mayborn 122N. Sponsored byPeabody International Students and Affairs and International Mentorship at Peabody.
  • BRET Annual Heritage Social: This event is targeted towards the biomedical sciences’ graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are invited to a “show and tell” type of social event and will be encouraged to share information with their fellow attendees about things related to or from their culture, their traditions, language, art, festivals etc., in an informal setting. This will be followed by inviting the attendees to learn and play board games native to various cultures. The attendees are invited to bring a board game native to their culture to teach and/or play with their peers. 4PM to 6PM, Light Hall 411ABCD. RSVP here. Sponsored by the BRET Office. 
  • Language Tables: Co-hosted by faculty and students, the language tables offer opportunities to have conversations in a variety of languages. Whether it be a heritage language you speak, or a language you are learning, all proficiency levels are welcome to attend and converse in the target language. The event has partnered with Zeppos Dining Hall to also provide meals (via meal swipe or by using an accepted payment method) from the region where the language is spoken. Sponsored by the Vanderbilt Center for Languages and Zeppos Dining Hall.
    • Hindi-UrduTable: 5:30PM to 6:30PM, Zeppos Dining Hall
    • Russian Table: 6PM to 7PM, Bellview House
  • I-Networking: A networking night for international undergraduate and graduate students. Come get a crash course in networking by interacting with students who are in your desired field. 6PM to 8PM, Alumni Hall 202. RSVP here. Sponsored by the International Student Council.

Friday, November 17th

  • Language Tables: Co-hosted by faculty and students, the language tables offer opportunities to have conversations in a variety of languages. Whether it be a heritage language you speak, or a language you are learning, all proficiency levels are welcome to attend and converse in the target language. The event has partnered with Zeppos Dining Hall to also provide meals (via meal swipe or by using an accepted payment method) from the region where the language is spoken. Sponsored by the Vanderbilt Center for Languages and Zeppos Dining Hall.
    • Sanskrit Table: 12:15PM to 1:30PM, Zeppos Dining Hall

 

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