International Education Week

International Education Week

BY ARIE WILSON
Rice News staff

The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is encouraging campus departments and organizations to participate in International Education Week (IEW) Nov. 13-17.
With Rice’s international population of more than 800 students and 400 scholars, OISS invites each department to help make Rice feel like home away from home.

COURTESY PHOTO

Eight-year-old Mariana Perez, a native of Mexico and a student at the Awty International School, drew her interpretation of “International Education: A Bridge to Friendship and Diplomacy.” Rice’s Office of International Students and Scholars has received more than 80 pictures drawn and colored by third-graders who illustrated the university’s International Education Week theme.

OISS Director Adria Baker said last year’s participation in International Education Week was very successful. “The departments really took ownership of their ideas and came up with exciting and unique ways to help promote this event,” Baker said.

From an international display at Fondren Library and a Shepherd School of Music concert festival of international music to the Rice World Mini Soccer Cup and international cuisine at Sammy’s, the campus was inundated with influences from different countries.

Encouraging campuswide participation during IEW last year was the brainchild of Marta Kapusta, international services specialist. Kapusta is tasked with not only organizing a week of festivities, but also helping individual departments develop activities of their own.

“Our goal is to bring awareness of international education on Rice campus by highlighting some activities that we have available on a regular basis and for this special occasion. Rice has international influence in almost all areas and departments, and we want to celebrate them during that week,” Kapusta said.

This year Rice’s outreach extends into the Houston community. One special activity includes OISS partnering with the Awty International School. Rice has received more than 80 pictures drawn and colored by third-graders who illustrated Rice’s IEW theme this year, “International Education: A Bridge to Friendship and Diplomacy.” The drawings will be posted around campus throughout the week.

IEW is a joint program between the U.S. Department of State and Department of Education (www.iew.state.gov/).

A complete list of activities can be found at <www.ruf.rice.edu/~ois/docs/IEW.pdf >. For more information on participating and attending any activity, contact Kapusta at 713-348-6095.