Week to focus on world cultures

Today marks the start of International Education Week at IU and in more than 100 countries worldwide.

International Education Week was first observed in 2000 and was a joint initiative of the U.S. departments of State and Education, according to the event’s website.

“It’s another opportunity to bring domestic and international students together,” said Sandy Britton, director of the Leo R. Dowling International Center. “I wish that it wouldn’t just be one week, that it would be a month, because we have so much going on.”

Britton and the International Center have arranged a calendar of activities to celebrate International Education Week, including the IU World’s Fare from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union.

A recent American Council on Education report titled “Strength Through Global Leadership and Engagement: U.S. Higher Education in the 21st Century” said the United States needs to expand efforts to improve international educational opportunities.

According to the report, though America has historically been a leader in international education, more comprehensive programs are needed to keep up with enrollment in Chinese and European universities.

Director of International Admissions Matthew Beatty said IU has a number of resources and outreach programs that bolster the number of international students each year.

Last year, the Institute of International Education ranked IU in the top 15 of U.S. host institutions for international enrollment, Beatty said.

“It’s my understanding (that) President McRobbie is hoping IU can be in the top 10,” Beatty said. “We have a little ways to go, but we’re still doing very well in comparison to other schools.”

Britton said International Education Week is a way to bring awareness to the International Center and the many international students at IU, as well as provide an opportunity for students to learn about other cultures.

“The world is getting smaller in many ways as we get connected easier with other countries,” Britton said. “Students need to be encouraged to become familiar with other cultures and to seek opportunities to travel and learn more about the world outside the United States.”