International Education Week to kickoff with essay contest

Daily File Photo

Senior Alim Ramji examines a moka, a device used for preparing espresso in many Italian homes during presentation on Italian Coffee on October 13, 2011. The presentation was part of International Education week.

OU’s College of International Studies is holding an essay contest to kickstart International Education Week.

The essay must show how the student has expanded his or her horizons or been enriched by an inter-cultural encounter, said Janice Levi, the college’s international programs adviser. This encounter could be anything from a study abroad experience to meeting an international student in class, she said.

The essay must be 750 words, and the student also must respond to the following quote from Yo-Yo Ma: “When you learn something from people, or from a culture, you accept it as a gift, and it is your lifelong commitment to preserve it and build on it.” All submissions are due by Friday.

“The idea of the essay contest was simply to allow students to think about how international connections has transformed their lives in preparation of International Education Week,” Levi said.

International Education Week is a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education and will last from Monday to Nov. 16. The college has events planned for each day of the week, including a dicussion titled “Leveraging Study Abroad in an Interview” and a study abroad fair, Levi said.

“I think students should come because there are several opportunities across campus to see what we do,” said Jacque Braun, marketing and public relations specialist for the college. “I think that people don’t realize that this is for all OU students and not just international students.”

Other events include a day in which students are encouraged to wear clothing that represents their own country or their travels and a presentation by OU graduate Chase Smithburg about his year-long experience in Egypt with OU’s Arabic Flagship Program.

“I came from a small town, and I wasn’t really aware of the other cultures,” Levi said. “I wish I had this opportunity, so I think students should take advantage of this. These events help students break out of their shell and can help expose them to something different that can really benefit them.”

Levi will serve on the essay selection committee with an OU Daily staff member, an International Student Services staff member, an Education Abroad staff member and a representative from Student Life.

The winner of the essay contest will receive a $100, and the winning essay will be published in the Nov. 16 edition of The Daily.

Jenna Bielman

Jenna is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Campus Reporter and Campus Reporter.