Experience a world of cultures during one week

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University will highlight various countries and cultures during its annual observance of International Education Week, set for Saturday through Friday, Nov. 15-21.

Many entertaining and educational public events, nearly all of them free, have been scheduled throughout the week on the main campus by WMU offices and international student organizations.

The week will feature events during which attendees can learn how to play one of the world's most popular sports, cricket; how to prepare traditional ethnic foods; and how to write Chinese calligraphy. Attendees also will have a chance to view live music and dance performances representing many cultures and countries, including China, the Dominican Republic, India, Japan and Malaysia.

The University's 2014 observance is being organized by the International Student Activities office in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education. It begins with the Kalamazoo Russian Festival Saturday, Nov. 15, and all events are free except for nominal fees associated with the Russian festival and Brazilian Day, which takes place Sunday, Nov. 16.

International Education Week

A joint initiative of the U.S. departments of State and Education, International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

The week is part of efforts to promote programs that not only prepare Americans for a global environment, but also attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has stressed those ideas when remarking on the week's mission.

"It celebrates the benefits of understanding the world around us so we can better communicate and collaborate with others from different cultures," Duncan has said. "It is an ideal opportunity to inspire students to broaden their horizons through global learning, foreign languages and international exchange."

Schedule of WMU events

Saturday, Nov. 15

• Kalamazoo Russian Festival—9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fetzer Center. An all-day celebration of Russian culture. Cost: Adults, $10; students, $6; children age 12 and under, $3; Family pass: $25. Host: Kalamazoo Russian Cultural Association.

Sunday, Nov. 16

• Brazilian Day—5 to 8 p.m., Trimpe Building. Experience Brazilian food and culture. Cost: Free to enter, $7 for dinner. Host: Brazilian Students Organization.
• Cricket Mania—Noon to 9 p.m., Student Recreation Center. Learn to play cricket, a game played by billions of people around the world, and take part in a tournament. Host: Western Cricket Club.

Monday, Nov. 17

• Confucius Institute at WMU—1 to 3 p.m., Lower Level of the Bernhard Center. Learn about Chinese language and culture classes and scholarships offered through the University's largest country-specific international institute. Host: Confucius Institute at WMU.
• Southeast Asian Cuisines Festival—6 to 7:30 p.m., Wesley Foundation. Enjoy Southeast Asian cuisines and learn about the cultures of the region. Hosts: Association of Vietnamese Students at Western, Malaysian Students' Association, Indonesian Overseas Association.

Tuesday, Nov. 18

• Window to China—3 to 5 p.m., Room 209 Bernhard Center. Increase your Chinese culture IQ—try on traditional Chinese clothes, take your picture in the Great Wall photo booth, play traditional Chinese games and participate in other hands-on activities, plus win prizes. Host: Confucius Institute at WMU.
• Malaysia Night—6 to 9 p.m., Wesley Foundation. A showcase of the culture and heritage of Malaysia, including a fashion show featuring traditional and modern styles of clothing, traditional foods, and additional performances. Host: Malaysian Students' Association.

Wednesday, Nov. 19

• Calligraphy Workshop—6 to 7:30 p.m., Room 3002 Brown Hall. Learn a Chinese art—this workshop includes an introduction and demonstration of Chinese calligraphy as well as hands-on activities, including writing your name in Chinese. Host: Confucius Institute at WMU.
• Day of China—6 to 9 p.m., Wesley Foundation. Learn to make Chinese traditional food and to design Chinese accessories; listen to traditional Chinese instruments; try on traditional Chinese clothing; learn to dance to classic Chinese folk songs, and sample Chinese dishes. Host: Association of Chinese Students and Scholars.

Thursday, Nov. 20

• American Thanksgiving Celebration—Noon to 1:30 p.m., Social Room of Kanley Chapel. Learn the history of Thanksgiving Day in the United States and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner. Host: International Student Fellowship.
• Study Abroad Info Table—1 to 3 p.m., Lower level of the Bernhard Center. Learn about WMU's many study abroad opportunities from study abroad alumni and specialists. Host: WMU Study Abroad.

Friday, Nov. 21

• Study Abroad Info Table—1 to 3 p.m., Lower level of the Bernhard Center. Learn about WMU's many study abroad opportunities from study abroad alumni and specialists. Host: WMU Study Abroad.
• Japan Festival—3 to 6 p.m., Room 105 Bernhard Center. Experience Japan's culture, including traditional food and dance. Host: Japan Club.
• Dominican Festival—4 to 7 p.m., Trimpe Building. Meet WMU students from the Dominican Republic and learn about their country's culture and way of life through food, dance and more. Host: Dominican Student Organization.
• Legally Desi 2014—6 to 9 p.m., Fetzer Center. Desi is an Indian cultural event to raise awareness of Indian culture through music, dance and food. Host: Indian Student Association.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.

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