International Education Week will be held Nov. 3-7
By: Maddie Pedone ’26
International Education Week, held Nov. 3-7, is a time to celebrate the importance of intercultural learning. From conversations to events held across the country, the week allows for everyone to recognize the value of international education.
“International Education Week was originally founded by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education,” says Janine Block ’94, associate director of international student advising and support. “The purpose is to promote the benefits of international education, international understanding, global awareness, and cultural exchange, so schools will often hold a number of different activities to promote all of those goals during their celebration weeks.”
At Lafayette, there’s an array of exciting events planned on campus to celebrate.
“The International Students Association puts on six or seven events that are geared toward educating the general campus body about different international cultures,” says Paolo Garcia ’27, president of International Students’ Association (ISA).
Among this year’s events will be a Jeopardy! night (7 p.m. Nov. 3) and an Xposed discussion (4:30 p.m. Nov. 4). The discussion will feature Profs. Hannah Stewart-Gambino and Ben Cohen, along with Profs. Eduardo J. Gómez (Lehigh University), Edwin Price (Texas A&M University), and Carolyn Cannuscio (University of Pennsylvania).
“The goal of Xposed is to highlight a global topic that a lot of people may not be aware of, or is somewhat controversial,” Block says. “ISA seeks to bring in experts around this topic to present on or debate over.”
Other events include a returning fan-favorite, Sushithon (6 p.m. Nov. 5), where all students can learn how to make and enjoy sushi as a community.
Another featured event will be Salsa Night (7:30 p.m. Nov. 6). “We are co-sponsoring an event with the Salsa Club where students can come and learn how to dance salsa, getting a very quick crash course,” Garcia says. “It will be beginner-level salsa dancing, so that will be really fun.”
Through each of the activities being held on campus this year, Garcia hopes people will understand the ISA community is open to everyone.
“I hope they realize that the ISA is not a closed organization; it’s open to everyone whether you’re an international student, a domestic student, or somewhere in between,” Garcia says. “I hope participants take away an appreciation for the culture and the topic we are representing, and I hope they make more friends, especially with people who are involved in [ISA], because we are always looking to bring in more people.”
Block also hopes that those who attend the events during International Education Week break the misconception ISA is only for international students.
“I hope it gives people the opportunity to have a better understanding of a culture they may not be really familiar with,” Block says. “Hopefully, it sparks something in them to want to engage and learn more.”