Rice is celebrating International Education Week Nov. 16-20

Rice is celebrating International Education Week, a joint initiative by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education acknowledging the benefits of international education exchange worldwide, with a number of activities scheduled for Nov. 16 through 20.

The week will include the following activities:

Nov. 16: International Presidents’ Lunch (by invitation only) hosted by the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS). This lunch is held every year to celebrate Rice’s student leaders from the many international clubs and to thank them for all the hard work they do throughout the year. The lunch also celebrates the global diversity on campus.

Nov. 16: International Education Week Whiteboard Campaign: What does studying abroad mean? Study Abroad Ambassadors will be in the Rice Memorial Center (RMC) between 1 and 3 p.m. to take pictures of students with different answers to this question. There will also be a booth with more information about International Education Week. Rice Study Abroad is hosting this activity.

Nov. 17: Live webcast of the Simon Campus Internationalization Presidential Panel Earlier this year Rice University was honored with the 2015 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award from NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The Simon Awards recognize outstanding and innovative achievements in integrating international education across campus, and Rice was chosen for a Spotlight Award in recognition of the Rice-Brazilian initiatives. Rice President David Leebron and Associate Vice Provost for International Education Adria Baker will be in Washington, D.C., Nov. 17 to receive this award. Leebron will serve on a presidential panel regarding the importance of international education in higher education; the panel discussion will be streamed live at 3 p.m. Central Time at at www.nafsa.org/simonwebcast.

Nov. 18: The Graduate Student Association (GSA) and OISS will co-host a coffee break with delicious treats from all around the world. The coffee hour will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Graduate Student Lounge (in the RMC basement).

Nov. 18: A panel of alumni who represent the different types of study-abroad students will answer audience questions during a panel event from 8 to 10 p.m. in Willy’s Pub.

Nov. 19: The OISS will host a Thanksgiving lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Farnsworth Pavilion. Tickets for a free meal will be given to the first 90 international students and scholars who sign up (limit two tickets per person), starting Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. at the OISS. The OISS also asks participants to remember those who are less fortunate and requests that participants consider an optional donation of $1 for the Houston Food Bank. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1PEB8rM.

Nov. 19: The Chao Center of Asian Studies will host a public lecture titled “Korean Americans in Houston: Building Bridges Across Cultures and Generations” by Haejin Koh, associate director. The lecture will be held at noon at the Heritage Society Tea Room, located at 1100 Bagby St. A fee of $5 is required for nonmembers. For more information, click here.

Nov. 19: Rice Athletics and OISS invite everyone to join them for the Rice Owls’ first home basketball game of the season against Oregon State. The first 15 international students who check in with OISS at the game receive a small gift, and there will also be a raffle with prizes. The game will take place at 8 p.m. in Tudor Fieldhouse. Students have free admission to the game with their Rice ID.

Nov. 20: The Study Abroad Office will host a study break focused on demonstrating Thanksgiving traditions to exchange students. Hot cocoa and hot apple cider will be served. This event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Study Abroad Conference Room.

The celebration of International Education Week ends with the annual Mini World Cup Soccer Tournament Dec. 5, which is co-sponsored by OISS, GSA and the Rec Center. All are welcome to participate – either watch or play. To sign up, contact the OISS.

For more information, contact Andy Meretoja at thm1@rice.edu or visit http://oiss.rice.edu/iew/.