Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in October

Contact: Korey Force
A photo of a performer at WMU's annual China Festival.

The annual China Festival at WMU features performances, hands-on activities, a Chinese art exhibition and informational displays about Chinese culture.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the extended Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in October. Highlights include the annual China Festival, the Western World Cup soccer tournament and various lectures on global topics.

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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October 2017 Opportunities

Monday, Oct. 2

  • 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.
  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.
  • Multicultural Review—7 to 9:30 p.m. in the Miller Auditorium, hosted by the Division of Multicultural Affairs. Join as WMU students display talents in poetry reading, music, dancing and more. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Oct. 3

  • 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.
  • Mesa Española—4 to 5 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.
  • "Meet Your Muslim Neighbors: An Introduction to Islam" event—6 to 8 p.m. at the Parchment United Methodist Church, 225 Glendale Blvd., Parchment, hosted by Welcoming Michigan. The event will provide an opportunity to learn about Islam, its history in the United States and our common roots. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Oct. 4

  • Local Global Market—10 a.m. 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 with questions. Free and open to the public.
  • Lyceum Lecture Series: "LGBTQ+ Representation in Children's Literature"—noon to 1 p.m. in the Lee Honors College Lounge, hosted by the Lee Honors College. The lecture will be led by Dr. Jill Hermann-Wilmarth, WMU professor of teaching, learning and educational studies. 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.
  • Mesa Española—3 to 4 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.
  • Real Talk Diversity Series: "Imagining Inclusion"—6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Trimpe Building Multicultural Center, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The discussion will address the question: How can a movement be truly inclusive for everyone, including traditionally silenced individuals and communities? Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.
  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 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.

Thursday, Oct. 5

  • CELCIS conversation circle (women only)—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 women in the public.

Friday, Oct. 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.

Saturday, Oct. 7

  • China Festival—noon to 5 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center, hosted by the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, the Confucius Institute at WMU and others. The event features dance and music performances, a badminton tournament, hands-on activities, a Chinese art exhibition and informational display booths about Chinese culture. Free and open to the public.

Monday, Oct. 9

  • 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.
  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Tuesday, Oct. 10

  • Real Talk Diversity Series: "Surpassing Certainty"—11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Trimpe Building Multicultural Center, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Join a discussion of "Surpassing Certainty" by Janet Mock facilitated by Natalie Nguyen, director of the Office for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Student Services, and Lindsay Palar, program coordinator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Lunch and copies of the book will be provided to a limited number of registered participants; 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.
  • Mesa Española—4 to 5 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Oct. 11

  • Local Global Market—10 a.m. 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 with questions. Free and open to the public.
  • Lyceum Lecture Series: "National Coming Out Day: Trans and Immigrant Rights in the Fight for Liberation"—noon to 1 p.m. in the Lee Honors College Lounge, hosted by the Lee Honors College and the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College. The lecture will be led by Jennicet Guteirrez, founding member of La Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement. 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.
  • Mesa Española—3 to 4 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.
  • Western World Cup—2 to 6 p.m. at the WMU Student Recreation Center, hosted by International Student Activities and Intramural Sports. Teams around campus and in the community will compete for the title of Western World Cup Champions. Register to play by emailing intl-actassist@wmich.edu.
  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 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.

Thursday, Oct. 12

  • CELCIS conversation circle (women only)—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 women in the public.
  • "Immigrant to Neighbor: Journeying through Hope and Fear" panel—7 p.m. in the Bernhard Center's Brown and Gold Room, hosted by the Study of Ethics in Society. The panel features readings from the recently published anthology Immigration and Justice for Our Neighbors. Free and open to the public.
  • Western World Cup—2 to 6 p.m. at the WMU Student Recreation Center, hosted by International Student Activities and Intramural Sports. Teams around campus and in the community will compete for the title of Western World Cup Champions. Register to play by emailing intl-actassist@wmich.edu.

Friday, Oct. 13

  • Western World Cup Finals—3:30 to 6 p.m. at the WMU Student Recreation Center, hosted by International Student Activities and Intramural Sports. Teams around campus and in the community will compete for the title of Western World Cup Champions. Register to play by emailing intl-actassist@wmich.edu.

Saturday, Oct. 14

  • Parade of Flags at Homecoming—11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Waldo Stadium, hosted by International Student Activities and the Haenicke Institute for Global Education. Don't miss the homecoming tradition that displays the University's international diversity. Register to volunteer by emailing intl-specialprojects@wmich.edu; open to the public.
  • Hispanic Heritage Month homecoming alumni gathering—1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the College of Health and Human Services tailgate lot, East Campus, hosted by the Division of Multicultural Affairs. Join as alumni gather to reconnect and share stories of their experiences at WMU. Food provided; free and open to the public.

Monday, Oct. 16

  • 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.
  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Tuesday, Oct. 17

  • 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.
  • Mesa Española—4 to 5 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.
  • Ethics Book Club: "The Left Hand of Darkness"—6 p.m. at the Central City Tap House, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, hosted by the Center for the Study of Ethics and Society. Join a discussion of "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula LeGuin led by John Minser, curriculum coordinator at the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. Registration required; free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Oct. 18

  • Local Global Market—10 a.m. 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 with questions. Free and open to the public.
  • Lyceum Lecture Series: "Beyond Binaries: Identity and Sexuality"—noon to 1 p.m. in the Lee Honors College Lounge, hosted by the Lee Honors College. The lecture will be led by Robyn Ochs, educator, speaker, grassroots activist and editor of Bi Women Quarterly. 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.
  • Mesa Española—3 to 4 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.
  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 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.

Thursday, Oct. 19

  • CELCIS conversation circle (women only)—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 women in the public.
  • Speaker: Immaculée Ilibagiza—7 p.m. at Miller Auditorium. Immaculée Ilibagiza will talk about her experience as a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide that took the lives of nearly 1 million Tutsis. Tickets start at $10; open to the public.

Friday, Oct. 20

  • "Anti-Racist classroom Pedagogies: A Response to Charlottesville" workshop—noon to 1:30 p.m. in 2033 University Computing Center, hosted by the Office of Faculty Development. This installment of the Teaching Inclusivity Series will be presented by Dr. Gwen Tarbox, associate professor of English. Registration required; open to faculty, graduate students, administrators and administrative staff.

Monday, Oct. 23

  • 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.
  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Tuesday, Oct. 24

  • 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.
  • Mesa Española—4 to 5 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.
  • Ethics Book Club: "The Left Hand of Darkness"—6 p.m. at the Central City Tap House, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, hosted by the Center for the Study of Ethics and Society. Join a discussion of "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula LeGuin led by John Minser, curriculum coordinator at the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. Registration required; free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Oct. 25

  • Local Global Market—10 a.m. 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 with questions. Free and open to the public.
  • Lyceum Lecture Series: "Intersectional Coalition Building"—noon to 1 p.m. in the Lee Honors College Lounge, hosted by the Lee Honors College. The lecture will be led by Romeo Jackson, graduate student at the University of Utah. Free and open to the public.
  • Werner Sichel Lecture Series: "Income Inequality, Progressive Taxation and Tax Expenditures"—noon to 1:15 p.m. in 2028 Brown Hall, hosted by the Department of Economics. The lecture will be presented by James Hines Jr., professor of economics and law at the University of Michigan. 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.
  • Mesa Española—3 to 4 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.
  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 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.

Thursday, Oct. 26

  • CELCIS conversation circle (women only)—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 women in the public.
  • Real Talk Diversity Series: "Disability at the Intersections"—6 to 8 p.m. in the Trimpe Building Multicultural Center, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Facilitators from Disability Services for Students will explore the social model of disability, the language used around disability and how to identify and challenge one's own implicit biases. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.

Friday, Oct. 27

  • 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.

Monday, Oct. 30

  • 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.
  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Tuesday, Oct. 31

  • Mesa Española—4 to 5 p.m. in the Brown Hall lobby, hosted by the Department of Spanish. Practice Spanish with other students and native Spanish speakers. Refreshments provided; free and open to the public.

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