UB to celebrate International Education Week

International Education Week (IEW), the annual event that offers the UB community the opportunity to learn about other cultures and celebrate the rich diversity on campus, will take place Nov. 17-21.

IEW, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

"Since it was launched in 2000, International Education Week has been an important fixture on the UB calendar — an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the extraordinary benefits the university has accrued from the international diversity that enriches our campus community in so many ways,” says Nojin Kwak, vice provost for international education. “It is especially important at this time to recognize that diversity is our strength and that we are stronger together."

IEW is particularly relevant at UB, which welcomes students from more than 100 different countries. And hundreds of UB students take part in study abroad programs each year.

UB also has affiliation agreements with more than 100 international institutions.

Conceived and implemented by participating units and student clubs across campus, IEW activities highlight the value and benefits of UB's international diversity. The weeklong celebration includes more than 25 events — both in person and virtual — that are free and open to all UB community members. They range from film screenings and talks to opportunities to just connect over food, games, crafts and music.

Of particular note are events highlighting the role of international student-athletes at UB. I-Bulls (International Bulls) and the Division of Athletics’ Stronger Together Task Force are hosting numerous events in which international student athletes share their experiences, as well as dishes from their home countries, and their teammates, coaches, faculty, and staff share what they’ve learned from their international teammates.

Another focus of the week’s events is education abroad, with several sessions featuring different dimensions of that experience — from specific study abroad opportunities to advice for first-time travelers to safe and budget-friendly travel hacks for international travelers of any experience level. A highlight is the Global Gallery photo exhibition on Nov. 20 — an event that has become a tradition of IEW. During this exhibition, alumni of UB’s study abroad programs share their overseas experiences through photos that depict the wide range of study abroad programs offered at UB and the impact the experience has on students. It’s presented by UB Education Abroad.

A full schedule of events can be found on the IEW website.