October 25, 2012 - 3:45am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012
NANAIMO, BC – The public is invited to help Vancouver Island University celebrate International Education Week October 29 to November 2.
Highlights include a Multicultural Festival, free concerts, lectures, performances, cultural displays, ethnic food and more at VIU’s Nanaimo campus.
“VIU is part of a Canada-wide celebration of international education in all its dimensions,” said Meg Savory, International Education coordinator. “This event acknowledges the significant contributions international students make to campus life and to the community.”
The Multicultural Festival takes place Friday, Nov. 2 from 12 noon to 3 pm in the upper cafeteria of the Nanaimo campus (Building 300).
Students representing dozens of countries will participate in a fashion show and talent show, set up cultural displays and mingle with fellow students and the public.
Members of the public are also invited to a free information session by CUSO International on volunteer opportunities overseas on Monday, Oct. 29, a Music of the World concert, “Sounds of India” on Oct. 30 ($10 donation suggested), and a free performance by a Zimbabwean Marimba musician on Nov. 1.
The public can purchase international themed lunches all week in VIU’s main cafeteria, including cuisine from Latin America (Oct. 29), Middle East (Oct. 30), Indian (Oct. 31), Chinese (Nov. 1) and Germany (Nov. 2).
As part of the festivities, the Worldbridger film series is hosting a film called “The First Grader” on Nov. 1, an uplifting story of an 84-year old Kenyan ex-freedom fighter who fights for his right to go to school. Everyone is welcome, 7 pm, Building 356, Room 109.
For a complete schedule of events during International Education Week visit http://web.viu.ca/iew/
VIU enrolls more than 1,600 international students from 85 countries, said Graham Pike, Dean of VIU’s Faculty of Education.
“The presence of international students can help expand the horizons of every student, faculty and staff member at VIU, and members of the community,” said Pike.
“International students enrich us in many ways by sharing their perspectives, cultures, and ideas. We can all learn first-hand about their homelands and how their countries are similar to and different from ours.”
International Education Week engages Canadian students, he added. International and intercultural knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes are increasingly important for students to develop in order to live and work in a complex and interdependent world.
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Tags: In the Community
