UHV to host International Education Week activities
The University of Houston-Victoria is bringing back International Education Week this November, ushering in a plethora of diverse activities across campus.
Taking place from Nov. 18 to 22, the annual celebration is organized in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. The event’s aim is to promote international understanding and exchange among students, faculty, staff and the local community, said Julie Buchhorn Wardi, UHV international student coordinator.
“We are excited to bring back International Education Week,” Buchhorn Wardi said. “It’s important for our campus and community to come together to celebrate the different cultures and perspectives that make up our university. We hope our students can broaden their perspective through learning about other cultures in the world around us.”
International Education Week will kick off with Multicultural Fashion Day, a campus-wide event that encourages the campus community to wear attire representing their cultural heritage. Additionally, a henna table will be set up from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the lobby at University Commons to give students temporary henna body art. Following that, Name Around the World will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the University Commons lobby, where attendees can learn about the different naming customs and traditions around the world.
On Nov. 19, the university will host a panel discussion from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the University Commons Multi-Purpose Room featuring individuals who have lived and worked abroad, who will talk about their international experiences and provide insights to attendees.
In the evening, the International Tea Party will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. inside the University Commons Multi-Purpose Room, offering attendees a chance to socialize and learn about diverse cultures. Both of the events will be open to the public, Buchhorn Wardi said.
Events continue on Nov. 20 with “Going Global,” a session where students can learn about study abroad and exchange programs which will be held inside University North Room 111. Sessions will be at 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and will be available to see on Microsoft Teams.
"We are thrilled to once again celebrate International Education Week, a time when we all come together to honor the global perspectives that enriches our university community," said Ana Laura Pineda, UHV director of International Programs. "This week will give students invaluable opportunities to engage with rich cultures to create an even deeper understanding of the world beyond our borders."
On Nov. 21, the university will host Dating Around the World from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the University Commons Multi-Purpose Room where guests can learn about dating cultures around the world. Later that evening, International Game Night will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at UHV Katy in the Katy Commons Area.
The week will conclude on Nov. 22 with a passport drive in the University Commons lobby from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Afterward, there will be a panel discussion titled "Life of an International Student," providing a platform for international students to share their experiences inside UHV University North Classroom 111 starting at 1:30 p.m.
Throughout the week, the Linguistic Olympics, a passive event in the University Commons lobby, will encourage the campus community to engage in multilingual discussions and celebrate the diverse languages represented at UHV.
“Linguistics Olympics is a friendly competition among languages other than English that are spoken here at UHV,” Buchhorn Wardi said. “Each day, we will present a topic of discussion, and it will be listed on a bulletin board and students are encouraged to respond to that topic in a language other than English. It’s an opportunity to practice other languages besides English on campus."
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.