Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ’s Office of International Education will present several events celebrating International Education Week at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Oct. 17 through Oct. 21, including a naturalization ceremony on Oct. 21 hosted by Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.

a group of international students standing for a photoInternational Education Week is a joint initiative between the United States Department of State and United States Department of Education to promote cross-cultural awareness, prepare students for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.

A total of 21 candidates for citizenship are expected to be part of the naturalization ceremony by the United States Customs and Immigration Service, which will take place at 11:00 a.m. on October 21 in Toretti Auditorium at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ President Michael Driscoll will make remarks during the event.

This fall, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ welcomed more than 400 international students from some 64 countries.

Funding for events for the week is provided by the Office of International Education and Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Student Co-Operative Association. All events are free and open to the community.

Events to celebrate the week include:

  • October 17: International Lunch and Cultural Fair, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sutton Hall Blue Room. Lunch will be served, and there will be a poster display by some of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ’s international students, designed to share aspects of their home cultures.

  • October 19: English Department hosts Osman Ozdemir, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Libraries, Stabley Library room 210. Ozdemir will share insights about English language teaching and Turkish language education.

  • October 20: International Poetry Night, 7:00 p.m., Elkin Hall Great Room. As participants read their poems, the poems will be projected in the original language and in English.

  • October 21: U.S. Citizenship Naturalization Ceremony, 11:00 a.m., Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex Toretti Auditorium. 

For more information about the events, contact the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Office of International Education at 724-357-2295 or via email at Intl-Education@iup.edu. Events also are listed on the Office of International Education's site.