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Bringing the world to Western

Nov. 1, 2007

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University will showcase numerous countries and cultures for southwest Michigan residents during International Education Week, which runs from Monday through Friday, Nov. 12-16.

A joint initiative of the U.S. departments of State and Education, International Education Week promotes programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in America.

The local celebration is being organized by WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education. Most of the events are free. All are open to the public and will take place on the University's main campus in Kalamazoo.

In addition to films and a concert, the events will include a talk by Mexico's former secretary of foreign affairs and a Japan festival Monday, Nov. 12; a French culture night Tuesday, Nov. 13; and a travelogue and geography bowl Wednesday, Nov. 14. Just prior to International Education Week, Kalamazoo will hold its 12th annual Russian Festival Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10. on campus.

"The week gives us a chance to highlight the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide," says Kimberly Ritter, WMU coordinator of international student activities in the Haenicke Institute.

"Education is a shared value in our interconnected world. Throughout the week, we'll offer many activities that will increase awareness of cultures, languages and customs; enhance mutual understanding; and develop international perspectives."

A list of local International Education Week events follows. For more information about them, contact Kimberly Ritter at kimberly.ritter@wmich.edu or (269) 387-5859. More information about the national observance is available at www.iew.state.gov.

International Education Week 2007

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Friday , Nov. 9

Russian Festival--7 p.m., gala opening concert, Dalton Center Recital Hall. Admission $15 and $5 for students, includes admission to Saturday's festival events. More information.

Saturday , Nov. 10

Russian Festival--10 a.m. to 4 p.m. food, folk dancers, music, art, puppet shows, academic presentations, vendors and displays, Fetzer Center. Admission $8 and $4 students and children. More information.

Monday, Nov. 12

Reception and lecture--4:30 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. lecture, Room 1035, Fetzer Center. Dr. Jorge Castaneda, Mexico's former secretary of foreign affairs, will speak on "Mexico-U.S. Relations: NAFTA, Transnational Industry and Technology, Immigration and Boarder Security."

Japan Festival--6:30 p.m., Wesley Foundation. The festival will feature food, dance, a fashion show and do-it-yourself calligraphy.

Tuesday Nov. 13

Study Abroad Information Table--11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bronco Mall, lower level of the Bernhard Center. Representatives from the Haenicke Institute's study abroad unit and students who have studied abroad will be on hand to answer questions and distribute information about WMU's infinite possibilities to study abroad.

Film--4 p.m., Room 1110, Trimpe Hall. As part of the Hispanic Film Festival, WMU will show "The Spanish Earth" (1937). The film has become one of the major films on the Spanish Civil War. It features strong photography, mainly by John Ferno, combined with powerful editing by Helen van Dongen and commentary by Ernest Hemingway.

Film--6 p.m., Room 1110, Trimpe Hall. As part of the Hispanic Film Festival, WMU will show "La lengua de las mariposas" ("The Language of Butterflies,"1999, R). The film mourns the Spain destroyed by civil conflict by remembering it through the enchanted eyes of a small boy.

French dinner--6:30 p.m., Wesley Foundation. WMU's French Club will host a traditional dinner with cuisine from many Francophone, including Europe, Canada, the Caribbean and Africa. This evening will include music and slide shows of the featured regions.

Wednesday, Nov. 14

Travelogue--11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Room 211, Bernhard Center. Two faculty members from the WMU Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dr. Marlene Breu and Dr. Karen Blaisure, will discuss and show photographs of student discoveries and experiences from their travels through Turkey, Latvia and Brazil.

Geography Bowl--5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m., Room 208, Bernhard Center. Teams and spectators will help celebrate Geography Awareness Week, Nov. 12 through 18, by matching their wits in a world geography trivia bowl. Snacks and prizes will be provided. WMU students may contact Stephen Wood at stephen.j.wood@wmich.edu to register a team.

Film--6 p.m., Room 1110, Trimpe Hall. "Soldados de Salamina" ("Soldiers of Salamina," 2003, Spanish with English subtitles) will be presented as part of WMU's Hispanic Film Festival. The film centers around professor and writer Lola Sanchez, who is assigned to write a newspaper column about the Spanish Civil War and during her research, becomes focused on a shooting involving Rafael Sanchez Mazas, who founded the fascist Spanish Falange party.

Thursday, Nov. 15

Study Abroad Information Table--11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bronco Mall, lower level of the Bernhard Center. Representatives from the Haenicke Institute's study abroad unit and students who have studied abroad will be on hand to answer questions and distribute information about WMU's infinite possibilities to study abroad.

Japanese film and discussion--7 to 9:30 p.m., Room 3502, Knauss Hall. WMU's Michitoshi Soga Japan Center presents "Sansho dayu" ("Sansho the Bailiff," 1954). The film is about an idealistic governor who is cast into exile when he disobeys the reigning feudal lord. His wife and children are left to fend for themselves and eventually wrenched apart by vicious slave traders. A discussion will follow with Dr. Jeffrey Angles, WMU assistant professor of Japanese and associate director of the Soga Japan Center.

Friday, Nov. 16

Informational meeting--4 p.m., Room 205, Bernhard Center. WMU's International Programs Council will be discussing the importance of international education and involvement on campus and throughout the greater Kalamazoo community. The public is invited to attend.

Prelude talk and concert--7 p.m. talk, 8 p.m. concert, Miller Auditorium; reserved-seat tickets, $19, $29, $39 and $49 (students and children half price). The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra will present a "Taste of Italy" concert featuring Benjamin Beilman on violin with Raymond Harvey conducting. The music will include scores by Verdi, Sibelius, Ponchielli, and Mendelssohn. Harvey will present the prelude talk

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

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