International Education Week

International Education Week

One World, Many Stories: Sharing Narratives for Global Understanding


Celebrate, discuss, and learn more about the role of international education as a powerful global force, cultivating a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world, as part of the International Education Week (IEW) celebration at Maricopa Community Colleges.

 

A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, International Education Week is a yearly opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. The weeklong series of in-person and virtual events, across all 10 colleges, is open to all students, faculty, and staff.

 


Monday, November 18


Opening Ceremony: 10-11 a.m., In-person and online

SU-100, South Mountain Community College (SMCC)

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 873 9662 1369
Passcode: oKnnACsTXKIHyAHfHAEUQfm9Fcinse.1
 

Opening Ceremony Remarks - 10 a.m.

Introduction of keynote speaker by Dr. Alice Murillo, Vice President of Academic Affairs, SMCC


Opening Ceremony Keynote - 10:15 a.m.
Keynote by Liz Warren, Faculty Director, SMCC Storytelling Institute: “Global Understanding: One Story at a Time” 

 

 

Open House
10 a.m.–1 p.m., in-person

36N, Mesa Community College
The International Education Office will open IE Week with an entire building open house to read the IEW Proclamation, learn about various student services in building 36N, meet staff, play carnival games, and win door prizes. 

 

Snackport Week: Norway

Daily, in-person

36N, Mesa Community College

Travel daily to select countries around the world at the IE Office and stamp your snack passport to be entered into a drawing that will take place on Friday, Nov. 22. 

 

Library Display

Daily, in-person

LB11 first floor, Mesa Community College (Southern & Dobson)

 

Intercultural Communication Projects with Q&A 

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., in-person

PAC-725 (Black Box), South Mountain Community College
Students will showcase their research about their assigned countries from around the world in Professor Azra Mahmood’s COM 263 Intercultural Communication Projects “Deep Dive into Global Culture.”

 

Opening Ceremony at Phoenix College
11–11:30 a.m., in-person
Sophomore Square, Phoenix College
Parade of Flags and IEW Proclamation

 

Cultural Performance 

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., in-person

Sophomore Square, Phoenix College
PC Steel Pan Group

 

International Lunch Menu at Rio 

11 a.m.–1 p.m., in-person

Café at Rio, Rio Salado College

Enjoy international lunch offerings all week at the Café at Rio.

 

Speed Language Games

12:30–1:00 p.m., in-person
Sophomore Square, Phoenix College
Learn words in different languages.

 

Stories Across Borders: Exploring Cultural Identities Together

1–2 p.m., online

Rio Salado College

Google Meet: meet.google.com/qad-szrh-zsj
This interactive session invites participants to reflect on their own cultural identities and share their unique stories with the group. Hosted by Reina Ferrufino, DEIB Program Manager.

 

International Film and Popcorn: The Man Who Knew Infinity  

2–4 p.m., in-person

F-121 (Hacienda Room), Phoenix College

Based on the true story of Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, this film explores his journey to Cambridge University and his collaboration with professor G.H. Hardy. 

 

Global Library 

All week, in-person

Main Library, Glendale Community College

A book display highlighting international authors or education topics. Question of the week: “If you could study abroad in any country, which one would you choose?"

 



Tuesday, November 19


Snackport Week: Colombia

All week, in-person

36N, Mesa Community College
Travel daily to select countries around the world at the IE Office and stamp your snack passport to be entered into a drawing that will take place on Friday, Nov. 22. 

 

Library Display

Daily, in-person

LB11 first floor, Mesa Community College (Southern & Dobson)


Cafe Around the World 

9–11 a.m., in-person

Rio tower (first floor), Rio Salado College

Enjoy a taste of treats from around the world.

 

Presentation: “Cultural Agility: Living and working internationally as a woman”

9-10:15 a.m., in-person

KSC1000 A, Paradise Valley Community College

Dr. Gina Cinali is from Denmark and has lived and worked in the Middle East for a good portion of her career.  Her presentation will help learners prepare for similar career options.

International Fun Fest

11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., in-person

Student Pavilion, Chandler-Gilbert Community College (Pecos)

Display of fun games and taste international snacks and treats from around the world.

 

Student Experience Studying Abroad

11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m., in-person and online

C-102, Phoenix College
Google Meet
PC Student Erideily Garcia shares her Study Abroad experience last summer in Italy.

 

International Lunch Menu at Rio 

11 a.m.–1 p.m., in-person

Café at Rio, Rio Salado College

Enjoy international lunch offerings all week at the Café at Rio.

 

“Lessons from Mexico”

4–5 p.m., in-person

L-162/L-163, South Mountain Community College

SMCC faculty will be sharing their experiences participating in the Global Engagement Faculty Curriculum Development Program: Understanding Mexico: The Past, Present, and Future in Guanajuato and Mexico City, Mexico. 

 

Global Library 

All week, in-person

Main Library, Glendale Community College

A book display highlighting international authors or education topics. Question of the week: “If you could study abroad in any country, which one would you choose?"

 



Wednesday, November 20


International Education Cultural and Resource Festival 

10 a.m.–2 p.m., in-person

Mesa Community College
Join us for our celebration of International Education Week on campus with food, music, campus resources, Study Abroad Fair, and much more.

 

Snackport Week: Japan

All week, in-person

36N, Mesa Community College
Travel daily to select countries around the world at the IE Office and stamp your snack passport to be entered into a drawing that will take place on Friday, Nov. 22. 

 

Library Display

Daily, in-person

LB11 first floor, Mesa Community College (Southern & Dobson)

 

“Language Power: The Personal and Professional Gains of Studying Spanish and Other Languages” 

9 a.m.–12 p.m., in-person

LRC patio, South Mountain Community College

Promoting language acquisition, this event is organized by Professor Loida Gutierrez and her students.

 

Vocational and Educational Training in the Basque Country and Germany

11 a.m.–12 p.m., virtual

Google Meet, Rio Salado College

Rick Vaughn, Ph.D., STEM Initiatives, visited the Basque region of Spain and parts of Germany to study vocational training programs, tour industry, and attend the Hannover Messe fair. He will share the incredible things he learned about how those cultures support vocational training. 

 

Flags for Peace

11 a.m.–1 p.m., in-person

Center Mall, Glendale Community College

Promoting international awareness on campus. Students will draw flags to display that will either represent their country of origin or a country they would like to visit (or have visited). 

 

Chalk Day & Pizza With the President

10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., in-person

Center Mall, Glendale Community College

Join us in creating vibrant chalk art, and let your imagination run wild. Get together with the campus community, celebrate creativity, and spread good vibes around the world.

 

Presentation: “Cultural Agility: Living and working internationally as a woman”

10:30–11:45 a.m., in-person

KSC1000 A, Paradise Valley Community College

Dr. Gina Cinali is from Denmark and has lived and worked in the Middle East for a good portion of her career.  Her presentation will help learners prepare for similar career options.

Calligraphy: Arabic and Chinese

10:30–11:45 a.m., in-person

KSC-1000 B, Paradise Valley Community College

Dr. Ayad Said and Professor Lili Kang provide a brief history of these forms of calligraphy and allow students to practice techniques using ink, paper, and brushes for writing.  

“Idioms Without Borders” with Professor Harry Singh 

11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m., in-person and online

C-102, Phoenix College
Google Meet

Words and expressions that indicate regional personality.

 

International Lunch Menu at Rio 

11 a.m.–1 p.m., in-person

Café at Rio, Rio Salado College

Enjoy international lunch offerings all week at the Café at Rio.

 

Global Library 

All week, in-person

Main Library, Glendale Community College

A book display highlighting international authors or education topics. Question of the week: “If you could study abroad in any country, which one would you choose?"

 

International Fashion Show: “My culture is not your costume!”

5:30–7 p.m., in-person

SU-100, South Mountain Community College

 

Presentation: “Cultural Agility: Living and working internationally as a woman”

12:30-1:45 p.m., in-person

KSC1000 A, Paradise Valley Community College

Dr. Gina Cinali is from Denmark and has lived and worked in the Middle East for a good portion of her career.  Her presentation will help learners prepare for similar career options.

Race and Ethnicity Abroad: Overcoming Obstacles to Create a Global Mindset

1–2 p.m., virtual

Google Meet, Rio Salado College

Race and ethnicity are factors that are often overlooked when considering study abroad options. Political, cultural and historical context is critical when understanding these challenges. This session will cover the "identity shift" that some will experience while studying abroad, which may include attitudes towards race and ethnicity from a different lens. Hosted by Dr. Lamont Slater, Faculty Chair Humanities, Religious Studies & Philosophy, Rio Salado College. 

 

England Study Abroad Information Session

1–2 p.m., in-person and online

LC-361, Scottsdale Community College

Google Meet

Informational meeting about MCCCD’s Study Abroad programs, emphasizing SCC’s England: Canterbury and London program. Led by program director Jeff Butcher.

 

“In Her Shoes”

2–3:15 p.m., in-person

KSC-1000 A, Paradise Valley Community College

The International Rescue Committee will present this active-learning session on refugees and human trafficking experiences/rescue, providing insights into the victim's experiences and self-empowerment for the recovery process.

Mosaic of Marks, Words, Material
 

4:30–6:30 p.m., in-person

Buxton Library, Paradise Valley Community College

Join us for the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance Reception. 
 


 

Thursday, November 21


Snackport Week: Kuwait

All week, in-person

36N, Mesa Community College
Travel daily to select countries around the world at the IE Office and stamp your snack passport to be entered into a drawing that will take place on Friday, Nov. 22. 

 

Library Display

Daily, in-person

LB11 first floor, Mesa Community College (Southern & Dobson)

 

90 Minutes Around the World

11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., in-person

GateWay Community College

The 90 Minutes Around the World event aims to give attendees the opportunity to experience food, culture, and music from regions around the world.

 

Global Celebration

10 a.m.–1 p.m., in-person

Center Mall, Glendale Community College

Enjoy cultural games, artifacts, and performances in addition to presentations, international music, a fashion show, and international teas and snacks. 

 

International Fashion Show: Explore Culture Through Clothing

11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., in-person

Student Pavilion, Chandler Gilbert Community College (Pecos)

Students and community members showcase traditional clothes from different countries.

 

International Fashion Show & Tea and Cookies from Around the World

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., in-person

Sophomore Square, Phoenix College

Students and community come together to celebrate the rich cultural diversity at PC.

 

International Lunch Menu at Rio 

11 a.m.–1 p.m., in-person

Café at Rio, Rio Salado College

Enjoy international lunch offerings all week at the Café at Rio.

 

Study Abroad Information Session

12–1 p.m., in-person

LB-145 (Library 1st floor), Mesa Community College (Southern & Dobson)

Want to travel the world this summer? Join us for an information session on how to earn college credit while studying abroad for the 2025 summer! Snacks will be provided.

 

Poetry Slam

3–4 p.m., virtual

Zoom link, Maricopa Community Colleges

Student poetry contest winners will have the opportunity to showcase their work at the poetry slam event. For more information on the poetry contest, visit maricopa.edu/poetry-contest.

 

United Sounds 

1–3 p.m., in-person

LRC Patio, South Mountain Community College

A student performance of popular songs that have united global cultures.

 

Global Library 

All week, in-person

Main Library, Glendale Community College

A book display highlighting international authors or education topics. Question of the week: “If you could study abroad in any country, which one would you choose?"

 


Friday, November 22


Maricopa Colleges Global Leadership Experience: “Global Connections: Building Bridges Across Cultures”

9 a.m.–4 p.m., in-person

LB-145, Mesa Community College
Open to any MCCCD enrolled student. Join us for ax dynamic event designed to help students build essential skills for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and leading in a multicultural world. Student Application: https://forms.gle/5ai7J91S3Lscf9Lw9

Apply by November 11.

 

Snackport Week: Vietnam

All week, in-person

36N, Mesa Community College
Travel daily to select countries around the world at the IE Office and stamp your snack passport to be entered into a drawing that will take place on Friday, Nov. 22. 

 

Global Library 

All week, in-person

Main Library, Glendale Community College

A book display at the Main library highlighting international authors or education topics. Question of the week: “If you could study abroad in any country, which one would you choose?"

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