Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in February

Contact: Korey Force
A group of women poses with athletic equipment, including a soccer ball, badminton racket and basketball.

Join the International Ladies Sports Club to bond with women from around the world through sports and exercise.

Kalamazoo, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the extended Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in February. Highlights include art exhibits, lectures, and opportunities to bond with women from all over the world through exercise.

Opportunities to get globally engaged are published weekly at wmich.edu/global/events by WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

Sign Up for A Weekly Update

February 2018 opportunities

Thursday, Feb. 1

  • CELCIS conversation circle (women only)—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Feb. 2

  • Deadline to register for Chinese Culture Classes—midnight, hosted by the Confucius Institute at WMU. Register for spring Chinese Culture Classes which include calligraphy, tai chi and language. Registration costs vary, half-price discounts offered to WMU students and senior citizens; open to the public.

Saturday, Feb. 3

  • Community African dance class—1 to 2 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class, which focuses on African dance, encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Sunday, Feb. 4

  • "Rhythmic Vitality: Six Principles of Chinese Painting" exhibit tour—2 to 3 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, sponsored by the Santreece Foundation. Join a tour of the current exhibition in the KIA Asian Gallery, "Rhythmic Vitality: Six Principles of Chinese Painting." Entrance included with museum admissions; open to the public.

Monday, Feb. 5

  • "China in the World: Conundrums of a Socialist Market Economy" talk—noon to 1 p.m. in the  Covenant Fine Arts Center Recital Hall at Calvin College, 1795-1835 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The talk will be given by Dr. Badrinath Rao, associate professor of sociology and Asian studies at Kettering University. Admission is $10; open to the public.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "China in the World: Conundrums of a Socialist Market Economy" talk—6 to 7:15 p.m. in the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Rd. SE, East Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The talk will be given by Dr. Badrinath Rao, associate professor of sociology and Asian studies at Kettering University. Admission is $10; open to the public.
  • "Signposts Along the way: The Hatred that led to the Holocaust and its Current Implications" lecture— 7 p.m. in 2000 Schneider Hall, hosted by the Academically Talented Youth Program. Irving Roth, Holocaust survivor and director of the Holocaust Research Center, will speak on the hatred leading up to the Holocaust. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Feb. 6

  • International Ladies Sports Club—2 to 3 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center, hosted by International Student Activities. Bond with women from all over the world through sports and exercise. Free and open to all women in the community.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Meditation for Clarity and Insight" course—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Jewel Heart Buddhist Learning Center. This eight-week course is designed to help those new to meditation learn techniques in mindfulness and concentration. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Feb. 7

  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Dragon and Eagle in Africa: Comparing China and America's Influence in Africa" talk—4 p.m. in 2130 Sangren Hall, hosted by the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, the Light Center for Chinese Studies, the Department of Economics, the Department of Political Science, the Confucius Institute at WMU, the Center for African Development Policy Research and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The talk will be given by Dr. Jijun Ran, a Fulbright visiting scholar affiliated to SAIS of Johns Hopkins University.

Thursday, Feb. 8

  • CELCIS conversation circle (women only)—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Tell Them We Are Rising" film screening—5 to 8 p.m. at the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership, 205 Monroe St., Kalamazoo, presented by the Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations, Kalamazoo College, the Black Arts and Cultural Center, the Douglass Community Association and the Society for History and Racial Equity. The film reveals the rich history of HBCU's and the power of higher education to transform lives. Free and open to the public.
  • "The Relevance, Reward and Risk of Feminist Activism in the Academy" ethics talk— 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in 1910 Sangren Hall, hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences Women's Caucus. The talk will be given by Dr. Kristine De Welde, director of the women's and gender studies program and professor of sociology at the College of Charleston. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, Feb. 10

  • Community African dance class—1 to 2 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class which focuses on African dance encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Monday, Feb. 12

  • "Trouble Brewing: Can the U.S. and Turkey Cooperate?" talk—noon to 1 p.m. in the Covenant Fine Arts Center Recital Hall at Calvin College, 1795-1835 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The talk will be given by Dr. Sinan Ciddi, executive director of the Institute of Turkish Studies at Georgetown University. Admission is $10; open to the public.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Trouble Brewing: Can the U.S. and Turkey Cooperate?" talk—6 to 7:15 p.m. in the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Rd. SE, East Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The talk will be given by Dr. Sinan Ciddi, executive director of the Institute of Turkish Studies at Georgetown University. Admission is $10; open to the public.

Tuesday, Feb. 13

  • "Lost Kingdoms of Africa Ethiopia" ARTbreak video—noon to 1 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Auditorium, 314 S Park St. Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Enjoy a film tracing Ethiopia's heritage featuring Dr. Gus Casely-Hayford, a British art historian. Free and open to the public.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Meditation for Clarity and Insight" course—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Jewel Heart Buddhist Learning Center. This eight-week course is designed to help those new to meditation learn techniques in mindfulness and concentration. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Feb. 14

Thursday, Feb. 15

  • CELCIS conversation circle (women only)—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Unlikely Allies: the Case for Aligning Business and Social Justice" talk—6 to 8 p.m. in the Trimpe Building Multicultural Center, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The talk will be given by Tim Terrentine, vice president for development and alumni relations at WMU. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, Feb. 17

  • Community African dance class—1 to 2 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class which focuses on African dance encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.
  • 2018 Chinese New Year gala—3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center North Ballroom, hosted by the Confucius Institute at WMU. The gala celebrates the Chinese New Year and will feature on-stage performances, games, snacks and raffles. Free and open to the public.

Monday, Feb. 19

  • "The Right Bang for our Bucks: the U.S. Defense Budget" talk—noon to 1 p.m. in the Covenant Fine Arts Center Recital Hall at Calvin College, 1795-1835 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The talk will be given by Dr. Stephanie Young, defense budget expert for the RAND Corporation. Admission is $10; open to the public.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "The Right Bang for our Bucks: the U.S. Defense Budget" talk—6 to 7:15 p.m. in the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Rd. SE, East Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The talk will be given by Dr. Stephanie Young, defense budget expert for the RAND Corporation. Admission is $10; open to the public.

Tuesday, Feb. 20

  • International Ladies Sports Club—2 to 3 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center, hosted by International Student Activities. Bond with women from all over the world through sports and exercise. Free and open to all women in the community.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Meditation for Clarity and Insight" course—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Jewel Heart Buddhist Learning Center. This eight-week course is designed to help those new to meditation learn techniques in mindfulness and concentration. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Feb. 21

  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.

Thursday, Feb. 22

  • CELCIS conversation circle (women only)—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Feb. 23

Saturday, Feb. 24

  • Community African dance class—1 to 2 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class which focuses on African dance encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Monday, Feb. 26

  • "Is American Global Leadership Waning?" talk—noon to 1 p.m. in the Covenant Fine Arts Center Recital Hall at Calvin College, 1795-1835 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The talk will be given by Dr. Amitav Acharya, chair of UNESCO Transnational Challenges and Governance and professor of international relations in the School of International Service at American University. Admission is $10; open to the public.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Is American Global Leadership Waning?" talk—6 to 7:15 p.m. in the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Rd. SE, East Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The talk will be given by Dr. Amitav Acharya, chair of UNESCO Transnational Challenges and Governance and professor of international relations in the School of International Service at American University. Admission is $10; open to the public.

Tuesday, Feb. 27

  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Meditation for Clarity and Insight" course—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 N. 10 St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Jewel Heart Buddhist Learning Center. This eight-week course is designed to help those new to meditation learn techniques in mindfulness and concentration. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Feb. 28

  • "The Sombodiness of African American Men" lecture—noon to 1 p.m. in the Lee Honors College lounge, hosted by the Lee Honors College Lyceum Lecture Series. The lecture will be given by Dr. Phillip Johnson, associate professor in counselor education and counseling psychology at WMU. Free and open to the public.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.