UNM’s Global Education Office hosted a successful International Education Week: UNM Newsroom

The Global Education Office (GEO) wrapped up a vibrant and successful International Education Week (IEW), which took place November 18-22, 2024. The week-long celebration brought together students, faculty, and the Albuquerque community for a series of events designed to promote global learning, cultural exchange, and international awareness.

IEW, a national initiative led by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, serves as a platform to highlight the importance of cultural exchange and the role global education plays in preparing students for success in an interconnected world.

“It is always rewarding to engage a different cultural perspective, be it through film, music, literature, food or an interpersonal conversation. A lot of work goes into organizing the multiple events hosted during International Education Week,” said Nicole Tami, executive director of Global Education Initiatives at UNM. “We strived to offer a range of activities that are both educational and engaging, and I’m proud of the lineup organized by the GEO staff. UNM hosts a community of international students and scholars from over 100 countries who all have unique stories to share.”

Highlights from the past week include:

Kyler Kinzie

Flamenco Dancer

• Bollywood Night: The week kicked off with the much-anticipated Bollywood Night. The lively setting invited attendees to interact with the Indian Student community through an evening filled with performances, Kahoot games, delicious Indian food, dancing and Bollywood music.
• Cultural Collaborative: The interactive event created an opportunity for participants to engage in cross-cultural conversation, share personal stories, and learn from peers of diverse national and ethnic backgrounds, all over a shared Mediterranean-Middle Eastern meal.
• Study Abroad Fair: A wide range of program providers and educational abroad programs were featured at the fair, along with information about scholarships to support study abroad costs. From semester-long programs to faculty-led trips, students got a first-hand look at how they can take their education beyond the classroom and explore the world.
• NED Talks: International students and other presenters gave short snapshots of their research or a featured project at the Nations Exchanging Dialogue (NED) Talks, which premiered Wednesday afternoon at Draft & Table.
• National Institute of Flamenco Lunchtime Performance: Thursday afternoon spectators experienced a captivating live performance by the National Institute of Flamenco on Cornell Mall. Emeritus Professor Eva Encinias Sandoval provided the vocals while four dancers presented their own uniquely inspired choreographies. Among the dancers were current students and graduates of the Flamenco program.
• GEO Book Club: This event featured an international novel by Lorena Hughes, a University of New Mexico alumna from Ecuador. She spoke about the inspiration and creation of her book, “The Spanish Daughter.” The book has been translated into multiple languages and was available at the reading in both English and Spanish.

“As a student who has engaged in IEW weeks over the years, it is incredibly inspiring to be able to learn from others and to celebrate our differences,” said Gabriella Roe, current UNM student. “Though we may come from different places and backgrounds, there is so much that unites us as well. Art, literature, travel, film, food, human connection. These are the wonderful joys of life. IEW is a culmination of all of these wonderful joys that make us human and encourage us to seek education beyond the classroom.” 

The event proved to be an invaluable opportunity for the UNM community to come together, learn from one another, and deepen their understanding of the diverse student body at UNM. From cultural celebrations to academic discussions, International Education Week highlighted the university’s dedication to preparing students with an international perspective.

For more information about International Education Week at UNM or to learn about ongoing global education programs, visit the Global Education Office website.