This past Sunday, SGA Diversity Affairs finalized its plans for this year’s International Week to be held on UT’s campus. The focus of the week’s events — which will run from Monday, Nov. 14 to Thursday Nov. 17 — is “Internationally Helping to Obtain Progression,” or “IHOP.”
During this year’s International Week, SGA hopes to better educate students on different cultures around the world — particularly the many that are already represented on campus.
“We’re making extra initiatives to expand the horizon of diversity here at UT,” said Paige Kee, senior in psychology, who is also in charge of public relations for Diversity Affairs.
Each day of the four-day International Week has a different theme based upon the information SGA committees would like to share with other UT students. As a whole, the week’s main focus is to better educate students on international issues and different cultural identities so that appreciation for overall diversity can progressively improve. With a better understanding of those around us, Diversity Affairs believes communication will thus be able to improve between different cultures and ethnicities.
Monday, Nov. 14 is titled “Dance to Diversity” and will consist of several brief performances of dances from around the world. Following the performances, there will be an interactive “how-to” session for each cultural dance. Food and drink will also be offered to all those in attendance. Though the final location of the event is still pending, “Dance to Diversity” will be held from 7-8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 15 will be “Sports International.” SGA committee members will discuss different international sports and their impacts on national culture and global diversity. Currently a FIFA tournament is also scheduled for the event, with the winner receiving a prize from Diversity Affairs. The location for “Sports International” is still pending, but will either be held in the BCC or in the UC Down Under between 5:30-7 p.m.
“I’m very excited for our day, ‘Sports International’,” said Kerry Green, sophomore in global studies and Spanish. “I think it will have a good turnout and bring more knowledge to our fellow students.”
Wednesday, Nov. 16 is titled “Who Knew” and focuses on providing students with a stronger outlook on international issues that today’s media may ignore or overlook. “Who Knew” will be held from 7-9 p.m. in the UC Hermitage Room. Diversity Affairs feels that this day is especially important to expanding students’ knowledge of the world around them. In an ever-globalizing society, Diversity Affairs feels that students should understand many of the issues that are affecting many of the social, political, economic and cultural actions occurring today.
The last day of the week is an educational forum on foreign policies titled “Education Connection ‘0.’” Diversity Affairs committee members will be discussing current foreign policies and how they affect the world’s overall communication and unification. “Education Connection ‘0’” will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the UC Hermitage Room.
Final decisions on the times and locations of Monday and Tuesday’s will be announced in the next week, and flyers will be handed out and posted around campus closer to the week’s commencement.
SGA Diversity Affairs is really looking forward to this year’s International Week, saying that it is very unique from previous years in the events being presented.
“Come support SGA Diversity Affairs International Week,” Marcus Jones, assistant director of Diversity Affairs, said. “Our committee has worked really hard to share this with everyone.”
