Events celebrate importance of international education
Nov. 12, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University will celebrate International Education Week Nov. 12-16 with a series of events aimed at exploring the importance of the international component of higher education and its role in strengthening the University and enlivening the local community.
The series will include sessions focusing on the Middle East and American students' perceptions of how other nations view the United States as well as sessions focusing on contemporary French theatre and French and Spanish literature. Unless otherwise noted, the events are free and open to the public.
Scheduled events include the following.
A Good Morning, Kalamazoo! breakfast presentation at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, will feature a presentation on "Understanding the Middle East" by Dr. Ronald Davis, assistant WMU provost and director of the Diether Haenicke Institute for International and Area Studies. Sponsored by the WMU Alumni Association, it will be held in the Fetzer Center. Reservations may be made by calling (616) 387-8777.
"America Abroad--How Others View the United States and the American People," is the topic that will be addressed in a session at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in 3301 Friedman Hall. Sponsored by the Institute of Government and Polities, the program will feature observations by American students who have studied abroad.
A reading in French of contemporary theatre will be offered by Dr. June Miyasaki, WMU instructor of foreign languages and literatures, at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 14, in Room 4015 of Brown Hall. The reading is sponsored by the French section of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.
Southeast Asia Week will be launched with an event from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the East Ballroom of the Bernhard Center. Culture booths, games and dances will be among the activities featured in the event, which is sponsored by the Malaysian Student Department of the Malaysian Embassy and WMU's Office of International Affairs, Office of International Student Services, Graduate Student Advisory Committee and University Cultural Events Committee as well as the WMU Student Activity Fee.
"Foreigners: They are Not as Different as You Think," is the title of a roundtable discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in Room 208 of the Bernhard Center. The discussion will be prefaced with remarks by Dr. Howard J. Dooley, WMU executive director of international affairs, and will focus on cultural similarities and differences.
A presentation on "Land of the Cid, Land of Conin: An Evening in Burgos and Querétaro" is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, on the 10th floor of Sprau Tower. Sponsored by the Spanish section of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, the program will feature Dr. Robert Felkel, professor of foreign languages and literatures, and Dr. Irma López, associate professor of foreign languages and literatures.
A poetry reading in French by Dr. Vicnent Desroches, assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures, is set for noon Thursday, Nov. 15, in Room 4015 of Brown Hall.
An international welcome reception for new international students in WMU twinning programs, exchange students and international scholars will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, in the Fetzer Center. The Office of International Affairs will act as host for the event, which is for invited guests only.
A Southeast Asia Night dinner and dance is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, in the East Ballroom of the Bernhard Center. The event features multicultural entertainment and authentic international food. There is a $12 per person admission fee for this event and reservations are required. They can be made by calling (616) 387-5872.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 616 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu