Explore the world during International Education Week

As the old saying goes, “there’s a whole wide world out there just waiting to be explored.”

Well, now’s the time to explore it!

Fresh off the heels of Literary Week, Georgia Regents University is turning its focus outward from Nov. 9-18 for International Education Week.

A joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, IE Week is an opportunity for students to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Part of Georgia Regents University’s continuing efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment, IE Week’s ultimate goal is to help students learn and exchange experiences in their own country.

Although IE Week officially begins on Wednesday, Nov. 9, GRU is starting a little early this year.

It begins with the Study Abroad Photo Contest.

From Nov. 1 until Nov. 17 at 4 p.m., faculty, staff and students will have a chance to vote on the best 2014-15 study abroad photos on the Study Abroad Facebook page. Contest winners will be announced on Nov. 18 at the International Festival (see below).

On Nov. 9, the Cinema Series takes us to Ireland with GRU’s presentation of “The Quiet Man.”

In the words of Dr. Debra van Tuyll, GRU’s resident Hibernophile, “It’s a classic tale of ‘bad boy with a past’ meets ‘innocent red-haired colleen whose family objects to the match.’ But in the classic John Wayne-Maureen O’Hara film ‘The Quiet Man,’ the bad boy has become a good man, one who’s willing to fight for the woman he loves — with the help of an Irish matchmaker.”

The show begins at 7 p.m. at the Maxwell Theatre. Admission to “The Quiet Man” will be by donation only. All proceeds will be used to fund scholarships and travel costs for the 2016 Ireland Study Abroad trip. De Ceadaoin, an Irish session band from Augusta, will entertain attendees with music from the movie following the presentation.

On Nov. 10, Dr. Abiodun Akinwuntan, professor and associate dean for research in the College of Allied Health Sciences, will present “Impacting the World: The Fulbright Experience.” A comprehensive explanation of the Fulbright Scholarship, “Impacting the World” will give students a chance to learn more about one of the greatest opportunities available in the field of international education today.

But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Rounding out both ends of IE Week is the much-anticipated International Festival.

Simply put, the International Festival is a chance for students to travel the world in a single day. Hosted twice during the week’s festivities (once on Nov. 12 at the J. Harold Harrison Education Commons and again on Nov. 18 at the D. Douglas Barnard Jr. Amphitheater), the festival is The Crew’s version of Arts in the Heart. In addition to free food, fun, music and dance performances, attendees are guaranteed a healthy dose of culture.

Looking for even more ways to explore?

Click here to view a full schedule of IE Week events and a list of themed meal days.