From Nov. 18 through 22, Ashland University celebrates International Education Week (IEW) by hosting daily events to promote the benefits of global education. 

The International Students Club (ISS), Office of International Admissions, ACCESS program and Study Abroad program collaborated to allow students to explore different cultures without leaving campus.  

Throughout the week, AU will see lectures, games, pop-up events, raffles and international food. 

“It’s a way for us to celebrate the benefits of studying abroad and global education and programming, and also to celebrate those students who have come from all over the world to study at Ashland University. It helps us understand each other more,” Troy Miller, director of the Office of International Admissions, said. 

AU celebrates IEW annually, but this year, the dates got moved to coincide with a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education called Education USA. 

“Usually, we used to do it in October, but this year we got to know that it’s like national International Education Week, so we kind of wanted to do it on a bigger scale,” Sanjna Arora,  president of ISS, said. 

More than 200 international students from over 30 countries study at AU.  

IEW aims to highlight the diverse community and encourage domestic students to expand their horizons. All events are open to AU students; however, some are geared toward certain groups. 

“The events are so robust in the sense of who they serve and what they serve,” Miller said. 

The events for the week are as follows: 

• Monday, Nov. 18, 5 p.m., Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium – Post-Graduation Options lecture for international students to explore AU’s graduate programs and the Optional Practical Training (OPT) 

• Monday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m., Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium – What to Pack for a Study Abroad trip with Rebecca Parillo, director of the Study Abroad Office. The lecture will benefit both international and domestic students.  

• Tuesday, Nov. 19, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Tuffy Tuesday on the Ashland University Quad. The Office of International Admissions will give away candy from various countries. 

• Tuesday, Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., student center lobby – Flag Guessing. Students can win prizes by guessing the flags of three countries. 

• Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 4 p.m., student center’s Eagles Landing – Exploring Germany and Exploring Brazil. Students will introduce their countries and offer attendees international snacks. The event is formerly known as World Café. 

• Thursday, Nov.  21, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., student center lobby – International Photobooth and Thanksgiving Pie Tasting. A photographer will be on-site to take professional photos. 

Starting Monday, ISS will be giving away international bingo cards with tasks to complete for international souvenirs. Participants who complete all tasks on their bingo cards are eligible to enter a TV raffle. Cards should be turned in on Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the student center lobby. Raffle results will be announced on the ISS Instagram page. 

Throughout the week, the AU John C. Myers Convocation Center will serve an international dinner.  

“It’s been something we’ve discussed for years upon years as just a little great way to bring that cultural awareness and try new things,” Miller said. 

The cuisines of Korea, Ukraine, Sweden, Brazil, India, Nepal and China will be represented.  

ISS members who worked on the menu keep dish choices a secret. The official menu gazette posted on the AU’s dining page does not reveal the details either.  

All students are encouraged to participate in the IEW activities. 

“There’s a big world out there, and it deserves to be explored,” Miller said. 

More information about the events, the ISS Instagram page will post updates during the week.