AUM celebrating International Education Week this week

As Auburn Montgomery ramps up efforts to globalize our programs and our campus, the Office of International Affairs invites all AUM students, faculty and staff to join in celebrating the 12th annual International Education Week. A joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and Education, International Education Week was first held in 2000, and today is celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide.

This year's theme is International Education: Inspiring Students Locally to Succeed Globally.

"Thematically, this year’s IEW focus aligns quite closely with AUM’s new strategic focus on globalizing the campus," said Jacques Fuqua, assistant provost for international affairs. "Our new recruiting initiatives, programmatic linkages with international institutions, and study abroad programs are all designed to transform the campus into a microcosm of the larger global environment in which we operate. As our graduates assume their roles in the global marketplace, it is our responsibility to ensure we have equipped them with the knowledge and skills not only to successfully compete on a global scale, but also to flourish as 21st-century global citizens."

Fuqua said AUM's population of international students represents a critical resource and campus constituency. He said they provide an indispensable gateway to world cultures and societies from which students, faculty and staff can all learn. Conversely, said Fuqua, as this represents their study abroad, it is incumbent upon us to share American and Alabama cultures with them and incorporate them into the global fabric of campus.

"In most cases, these students have traveled thousands of miles to study at our institution," said Fuqua. "Thus, this represents an opportunity for cross-cultural sharing that is unique, valuable and accessible right on our own campus."

This is the first year AUM has officially recognized International Education Week. The Office of International Affairs is offering several activities this week to raise awareness of the world around us and have a little fun, too.

• Find out how knowledgeable you are when it comes to the history of international education by taking this quiz: http://www.connectingourworld.org/get-involved/international-education-week/the-history-of-international-education-quiz/
• One of the first words of any given foreign language we try to learn is “hello.” The Office of International Affairs will present a display of “hellos” in various languages in the lobby of the Library Tower during International Education Week, so check it out and learn a few words in other languages.
• Also, check out some of the places around the world that AUM students have been or have come here from in the photo gallery titled "AUM celebrates International Education Week" in the right column on the International Students page.

Nov. 14, 2011