International Education Week celebrates a world of culture at Wright State

Wright State will celebrate International Education Week, Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, with a series of events, talks, celebrations and a special recognition of a faculty member.

Wright State University students can carve pumpkins, celebrate a Hindu holiday, dance to mariachi music, learn about Japanese and Korean languages, and enjoy all sorts of food from different cultures during International Education Week.

Wright State will celebrate International Education Week, Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, with a series of events, talks, celebrations and a special recognition of a faculty member.

“International Education Week is a joint venture of the U.S. Departments of State and Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences according to the International Education Week National initiative,” said Michelle Streeter Ferrari, director of the University Center for International Education.

This is the 20th year that Wright State marked International Education Week.

“I hope people can learn that international education is a broad area that covers many different spaces,” Streeter Ferrari said. “We recruit international students to bring diversity to our campus, internationalize our classrooms, and bring the wealth of their culture and traditions here.”

International students make up more than 10% of Wright State’s total fall enrollment of 11,036.

“Our undergraduate and graduate applications are at a record high,” Streeter Ferrari said. “We also provide opportunities for any student to study or complete an internship throughout the globe and give faculty members opportunities to teach abroad.”

Michelle Cipriano, senior lecturer of Spanish, will receive the 2023 International Education Award on Nov. 1 at the Wright State President Reception.

“Modern languages faculty are known for operating education abroad activities, for developing innovative and internationally focused curricula, and for providing services to international students and scholars,” said Pascale Abadie, Ph.D., associate professor of French. “These attributes are part and parcel of Michelle Cipriano.”

Michelle Cipriano, senior lecturer of Spanish, will receive Wright State’s 2023 International Education Award.

Cipriano said is honored and thrilled to receive the award. She shifted the focus to international education, which she said is important to foreign-language students.

“It’s essential to improve their speaking skills,” she said.

Any student who wants to study abroad should also study the culture of another country, Cipriano said.

“When you learn about another country it makes you reflect on our culture, good and bad, on things that can be improved upon,” she said.

International Education Week provides an opportunity for the Wright State community to celebrate international understanding.

The goal, Streeter Ferrari said, is for people to learn that “we’re all interconnected, to understand that we’re all human, to see that we’re more similar than different.”

International Education Week schedule

Oct. 30: Nepalese Dashain Festival, Student Union Atrium, 3–5 p.m., featuring Nepalese performances and food.

Oct. 31: Halloween pumpkin carving and costume contest, 224 Student Union, 3–5 p.m., with pumpkins to carve and take home and candy from a variety of countries.

Nov. 1: Dia de los Muertos by the Amigos Latinos Student Association, Student Union Atrium, noon–2 p.m., with live mariachi music, games and Hispanic food.

Nov. 1: Wright State President Reception, Student Union Atrium, 3–4:30 p.m., President Sue Edwards, Ph.D., will recognize the successful efforts of Wright State community members involved in strengthening international education, including Michelle Cipriano.

Nov. 1: Welcome Dayton, Allyn Hall Atrium, 4:30–6 p.m., representatives Welcome Dayton will give a presentation.

Nov. 2: Japanese and Korean Language Workshop, 224 Student Union, 3:30–5 p.m., featuring games, activities and Japanese and Korean snacks.

Nov. 3: International Brownbag Seminar, Developing an Ambassador Study Abroad to Germany – FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, 224 Student Union, 1–2 p.m., with Wakiuru Wamwara, Ph.D., professor of marketing.

Nov. 9: Festival of Lights by the Indian Student Association, Student Union Apollo Room, 5:30–10 p.m., learn about the culture of India with activities, performances and food.

Visit wright.edu/international-education/campus-events/international-education-week to learn more about International Education Week activities and programming.