Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in April

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities during the month of April. Highlights include the 28th annual International Festival, Japanese language courses for teens and a wide scope of globally focused lectures.

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

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WMU International Festival

The music, dance, food and fashions of nearly two dozen cultures will be showcased during WMU's 28th annual International Festival from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 2, on the second floor of the Bernhard Center.

First hosted in 1989, the popular event features cultural display tables, performances and a fashion show. Admission is free, and for a nominal fee, attendees may sample traditional foods prepared by international students in campus kitchens under the supervision of WMU Dining Services employees.

April 2017 Opportunities

Saturday, April 1

• "Worshipping at Lenin's Mausoleum" book reading—1 to 2:30 p.m. at Kazoo Books, 2413 Parkview Ave., Kalamazoo. Join Dr. Judith Rypma, master faculty specialist of English, as she reads from her latest collection "Worshipping at Lenin's Mausoleum." Free and open to the public.
• "Celebrating the Legacy of César E. Chávez" fundraising and awards dinner—5 p.m. at the Fetzer Center, hosted by the Division of Multicultural Affairs and the Southwest Michigan César E. Chávez Committee. The event will celebrate the life and work of civil rights leader César E. Chávez during an annual scholarship fundraising dinner that includes the presentation of regional awards and scholarships for 2017. Tickets are $25 for students and $40 for general admission; open to the public.

Sunday, April 2

• International Festival—4 to 8 p.m. in the Bernhard Center second-floor facilities at Western Michigan University. The music, dance, food and fashions of over 18 cultures will be showcased during Western Michigan University's 28th annual International Festival. Admission is free; nominal fee for traditional foods prepared by international students. Open to the public.

Monday, April 3

• "Shifts in the Sand: U.S.-Saudi Relations" Great Decisions Global Discussion Series—6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Aquinas Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Road SE, Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. The discussion will feature Simon Henderson, director of the Gulf and Energy Policy Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Politics. Tickets are free with a Bronco Card; $10 general admission. Open to the public.
• "The Marriage of Figaro" opera—7:30 p.m. in the Dalton Recital Hall, hosted by the School of Music. The "Marriage of Figaro" is an opera buffa (comedy) in four acts composed in 1786 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, April 4

• "The Marriage of Figaro" opera—7:30 p.m. in the Dalton Recital Hall, hosted by the School of Music. The "Marriage of Figaro" is an opera buffa (comedy) in four acts composed in 1786 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, April 5

• "On the Implications of a Piecemeal Approach to Immigration Policy and Enforcement" lecture—noon to 1:15 p.m. in 2028 Brown Hall, hosted by the Department of Economics Werner Sichel Lecture Series. The lecture will be given by Dr. Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes, professor and chair of economics at San Diego State University. Free and open to the public.

Thursday, April 6

• "Urbanization and Social Change in Early 20th-Century Xikang (in Tibet), China" talk—noon in 204 Bernhard Center, hosted by the Haenicke Institute for Global Education. The talk will be given by Yang Liu, assistant research fellow and PhD candidate at the Institute of Urban Studies at Sichuan University, China. Free and open to the public.
• Board games with CELCIS students—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor CELCIS Lobby of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join CELCIS students as they learn to play U.S. American card and board games, chat with friends, hang out and meet new people. Free and open to the public.
• "Again Toward Perpetual Peace: World Government by Lottocracy" lecture—6 p.m. in 213 Bernhard Center, hosted by the Center for Ethics in Society. The lecture will be given by Dr. Alexander Guerrero, professor of philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania. Free and open to the public.

Friday, April 7

• Japanese language lessons for teens—4 to 4:45 p.m. in 2045 Brown Hall, hosted by the Soga Japan Center. A series of three beginner Japanese language sessions are available to middle and high school students. Registration is $30; open to the public.

Saturday, April 8

• Walk for Water Kalamazoo 5k—1 p.m. by the fountains by Miller Auditorium, sponsored by the WMU Nonprofit Leadership Student Association, Kappa Phi Christian Women's Club and St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish. The walk aims to increase awareness of the worldwide lack of access to clean water and to raise funds to help Clean Water for the World in its efforts to provide water purification units to communities in developing countries without potable water. Registration starts at $10; open to the public.

Sunday, April 9

• Los Lobos at the Kalamazoo State Theatre—7:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo State Theatre, 404 South Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Los Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award-winning rock band from East Los Angeles whose music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, R&B, blues, and traditional music from Latin America. Tickets start at $55; open to the public.

Monday, April 10

• "Social Turmoil in Hong Kong: Challenging Chinese Sovereignty" lecture—4 p.m. in 1740 Sangren Hall, hosted by the Timothy Light Lecture Series on China. The lecture will be given by Dr. Helen Siu, professor of anthropology at Yale University. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, April 12

• "Respecting Differences: Gender Inclusion" talk—9:30 a.m. in Miller Auditorium, hosted by Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Discover Kalamazoo, the City of Portage and the Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The talk will be given by Scott Schofield, diversity educator on transgender issues. Free and open to the public.
• "Voices of First Generation Latino Immigrant Fathers: Migration and the Dual Frame of Reference" lecture—noon to 1 p.m. in the Lee Honors College Lounge, hosted by the Lee Honor's College Spring 2017 Lyceum Lecture Series. The lecture will be given by Dr. Angel Gullon-Rivera, assistant professor of family consumer sciences. Free and open to the public.
• "Respecting Differences: Gender Inclusion" talk—1:30 p.m. in the Miller Auditorium, hosted by Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Discover Kalamazoo, the City of Portage and the Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The talk will be given by Scott Schofield, diversity educator on transgender issues. Free and open to the public.

Thursday, April 13

• "Cultural Competence for Health Professionals" talk—12:30 to 1 p.m. at the WMU Beltline campus, 2333 E. Beltline Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, hosted by the WMU-Grand Rapids Open House. The talk will be given by Dr. Dee Sherwood, faculty specialist in the School of Social Work. Free and open to the public.
• "Hungary and the New Financial Nationalism in Europe" lecture—3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Friedmann Hall third-floor library, hosted by the Department of Political Science George Klein Lecture Series. The lecture will be given by Dr. Juliet Johnson, professor of political science at McGill University. Free and open to the public.
• "Refugee Health: Concerns, Considerations and Photos from Congolese Refugee Women" talk—4 to 4:30 p.m. at the WMU Beltline campus, 2333 E. Beltline Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, hosted by the WMU-Grand Rapids Open House. The talk will be given by Dr. Shannon McMorrow, assistant professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs. Free and open to the public.
• "Monumental Politics in the Post-Communist World" lecture—7 to 9 p.m. in the Fetzer Center's Putney Auditorium, hosted by the Department of Political Science George Klein Lecture Series. The lecture will be given by Dr. Juliet Johnson, professor of political science at McGill University. Free and open to the public.

Friday, April 14

• Japanese language lessons for teens—4 to 4:45 p.m. in 2045 Brown Hall, hosted by the Soga Japan Center. A series of three beginner Japanese language sessions are available to middle and high school students. Registration is $30; open to the public.
• International Ball—7 to 11 p.m. in the Student Center of the Bernhard Center, hosted by International Student Activities and the Western Student Association. The International Ball is a fun formal event where domestic and international students can end the semester with dinner, dancing and the comedian Danish Maqbool. Tickets start at $5; purchase tickets in 3516, 3521, or 3530 Ellsworth Hall or by emailing intl-specialprojects@wmich.edu.

Monday, April 17

• "Recycling in Early Modern Europe: Paper Manufacture in Brandenburg" lecture—noon to 1:30 p.m. in 2302 Freidmann Hall, hosted by the Department of History. The lecture will be given by Dr. Marion (Buddy) Gray, professor of history and gender and women's studies. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, April 19

• Local Global Market—10 to 2 p.m. in front of Sangren Hall, hosted by International Student Activities. Area farmers will bring fresh fruits and produce to campus for purchase. Email wayne.l.bond@wmich.edu for additional information. Free and open to the public.
• "The Great Economic Potential of Immigration to the U.S." lecture—noon to 1:15 p.m. in 2028 Brown Hall, hosted by the Department of Economics Werner Sichel Lecture Series. The lecture will be given by Dr. Giovanni Peri, professor and chair of economics at the University of California, Davis. Free and open to the public.

Friday, April 21

• Japanese language lessons for teens—4 to 4:45 p.m. in 2045 Brown Hall, hosted by the Soga Japan Center. A series of three beginner Japanese language sessions are available to middle and high school students. Registration is $30; open to the public.

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 @email or (269) 387-3993.

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