Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in February

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University will offer numerous global engagement opportunities during the month of February for members of the campus and surrounding communities. Highlights include a Japanese conversation table, opportunities to teach international students about the area and a wide scope of globally focused lectures.

Global Engagement at WMU

WMU prepares its students to thrive as global citizens and professionals in a diverse workplace by encouraging them to be locally oriented and globally competent, culturally aware, and ready to contribute to world knowledge and discovery. To support these efforts, WMU offers global engagement opportunities on campus and in the greater Kalamazoo area. Events are published weekly at wmich.edu/global/events by WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

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February 2017 opportunities

Thursday, Feb. 2

• "The Unifying Power of Education" panel—6 p.m. in 213 Bernhard Center. The panel is part of WMU's 2017 Martin Luther King Day Jr. celebration and is hosted by Keagan Potts, graduate assistant in the Department of Philosophy. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Feb. 3

• Japanese conversation table—4 to 5 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Cafeteria on the main floor. To register for this free opportunity to practice Japanese language skills, interested participants should email their name and Japanese level to Michiko Yoshimoto at michiko.yoshimoto@wmich.edu. Free and open to the public; registration required.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

• International Ladies Sports Club—4 to 5 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center. Join female international students for an hour of exercise the second and fourth Tuesday of each month during the spring 2017 semester. Open to the public; registration required.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

• "Organizing to Prevent Violence and Build Peace: The Transformative Potential of Everyday Citizens in West Africa and Central America" lecture—6:30 p.m. in 2028 Brown Hall. The lecture will be given by Stacey Connaughton from the Purdue Peace Project as part of the 2016-17 Visiting Scholars and Artists Program. Coffee and dessert will be provided after the talk in 2026 Brown Hall. Free and open to the public.

Thursday, Feb. 9

• "Better Get to Know an Alum—Americorps and Peacecorps" open forum—4 to 5 p.m. in 3025 Brown Hall. Global and international studies graduate Matt Pruitt will be discussing his transition from WMU graduate to his volunteer work with AmeriCorps and PeaceCorps. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Feb. 10

• International Night at the Palace of Auburn Hills with international students—3 p.m. to midnight at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, outside of Detroit. Join international students as they experience a professional U.S. basketball game. Registration is $60 and includes transportation. Open to the public; charge.

Thursday, Feb. 16

• Learn about teaching English abroad—4 p.m. in 3025 Brown Hall. This informational panel will discuss opportunities for teaching English overseas. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Feb. 21

• International Ladies Sports Club—4 to 5 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center. Join female international students for an hour of exercise the second and fourth Tuesday of each month during the spring 2017 semester. Open to the public, registration required.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

• "How to Take on Hate: A Dialogue on Islamophobia and Racism" lecture—noon to 1 p.m. in the Lee Honors College Lounge. The lecture will be given by Asha Noor from the Arab American Center for Community and Social Services in Dearborn, Michigan, and Alisa Perkins, WMU assistant professor of comparative religion. Free and open to the public.
• "Identity in the Media" Real Talk Diversity Series—6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Trimpe Building Multicultural Center. The talk will be given by Dr. Sue Ellen Christian, WMU professor of communication. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Feb. 24

• Biennial Diversity and Inclusion Conference—9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Health and Human Services Building. The theme of this year's conference is "Health and Well-Being within a Diverse Health Community." Open to the public; registration required.
• "Engineers Without Borders: Moving the Norm" talk—1 p.m. in Floyd Hall on WMU's Parkview Campus. The Michigan representative for Engineers Without Borders, Bruce Nieman, will give a talk on the importance of the organization. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, Feb. 25

• Ski Trip with international students—day event. Join international students for a day of skiing. Registration is $30 and includes transportation. Open to the public; registration required.

Tuesday, Feb. 28

• Deadline for summer II study abroad applications—midnight. Students can browse study abroad programs and apply online.

For more information on the events listed above or to learn more about global engagement opportunities at WMU, visit wmich.edu/global or contact Korey Force at korey.force@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3993.

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