USC participated in International Education Week (IEW), a celebration of international education held simultaneously at universities across the U.S. each November.
International Education Week (IEW) is an annual event sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education which seeks to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange, to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment, and to attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.
In celebration of IEW, a series of cultural and educational events were held across UPC between November 14 and November 18, 2022, infusing USC with lively celebrations of diversity and cultures from around the globe. In collaboration with campus partners, students, scholars, staff, and faculty were both entertained and invited to share their backgrounds and experiences with each other.
IEW kicked off with a colorful opening ceremony on November 14, featuring four live performances by USC student groups: Grupo Folklórico de USC traditional Mexican dancers, the Association of Indian Students (AIS) Bollywood dancers, USC Break On 2 salsa dancers and Kazan Taiko Japanese drummers. Hundreds of members of the USC community gathered on Hahn Plaza to watch the performances, enjoy international snacks and treats, play games and win prizes.
USC IEW Opening Ceremony Highlights
Events that followed throughout the week included Spanish language practice sessions for both novice and advanced speakers, three international movie screenings, open houses and information sessions about study abroad and funding opportunities, to name a few. An immigration attorney also hosted a workshop to share insights about employment visa options for international students. A full list of IEW 2022 events is available on the OIS website.
On the last day of IEW, USC students from Nigeria, India, China, Russia and Lebanon visited the 32nd Street Elementary School, as part of Around the World in 60 minutes. This annual event hosted by OIS aims to engage local youth with the rich international culture at USC and sparks curiosity about the world. The USC students talked about their cultures and presented the best parts of their homeland to 4th and 5th graders. The event ended with the kids learning how to say “Hello” in five different languages.
Paulo Rodrigues, Senior Associate Vice Provost for Global Engagement, lauds every opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.
“It is beyond rewarding to see students, staff, faculty, scholars and local community members come together in celebration of international education to advance learning and scholarship, build understanding and respect among different people, and develop future global leaders,” he said.
If you, your group or department would like to participate in IEW 2023, please send an email to globinit@usc.edu.