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Photos by Megan Morgan
By Anna Tallarico
Celebrated by universities nationally, International Education Week, which takes place from Nov. 18 to Nov. 22, aimed to bring awareness to the benefits of international education and exchange programs through a showcase of various cultures. Northwest University participated in the movement with three separate events throughout the week.
To start it off, on Monday, Nov. 18, students set up a week-long exhibit in HSC Fireside called “My Selves.” Over a dozen homemade plaster masks adorned the wall, each painted a unique way to embody the makers’ diversity of self-perception. The outside of the mask was meant to represent the “external self,” or how the person thinks others view them, and the inside of the mask represented the “internal self,” or how they view themselves.
While the exhibit allowed artists to express their own views on self, it also allowed viewers to learn about different perspectives and perceptions among peers. The exhibit hoped to bring awareness to the complexities of self-perception and the importance of learning about people around campus and embracing their unique stories.
The week continued with another event on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in HSC Fireside. The International Education Department hosted an International Student Panel, which gave the NU community a chance to learn what it’s like to be an international student here on campus. Throughout the discussion, topics ranged from differing cultures to how their NU experiences affected them as individuals.
“I think those who attended got a lot out of it–especially how each person can have a different experience, even while in the same setting,” said Esther Han, a CELE student worker in the International Department.
The final event was a culture fair in HSC Fireside on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 3:30 p.m to 5 p.m., which showcased dozens of different countries through a wide variety of international cuisines and activities. These international dishes allowed the NU community to experience some of the more traditional dishes of its international community, including Chinese zha jiang mian noodles and Polish applecakes called szarlotka.
In addition to the array of international cuisine, the culture fair provided attendees with the opportunity to engage with different cultures through activities and learning experiences. Among the activities present was a tea tasting booth, an origami station, and a variety of games, including one challenging individual’s ability to use chopsticks. The culture fair also provided learning opportunities for attendees through poster displays that explored languages and facts about life in different countries.
