In celebration of International Education Week – an initiative that provides an opportunity for students to understand the value of a global experiential learning experience – Miami University held several experiential events for the campus community.

“The overall goal is for just one student to learn about a global learning opportunity and actionably do something related to that new found global learning goal because of one of the IEW events,” said Dan Sinetar, member of the global initiatives team. 

International Education Week kicked off with a panel hosted by Global Initiatives and International Student and Scholar Services. In “The Person You Become: Personal Growth Through International Education and Culture Shock,” study abroad alumni and international students will speak about their experiences with culture shock and their identity both at home and while abroad.

“At IEW international students have a platform to share their own culture with a domestic audience or learn something more about studying in the U.S.,” Sinetar said. IEW provides a networking opportunity for students to connect with each other as well as student organizations that may highlight a region or language of interest to them.

Opening events also included the announcement of prize recipients for the International Education Week  Photo and Writing Contests in which students and faculty submitted photos and short essays reflecting their perspective on their study abroad experiences or their experience as an international student in the United States.

Afterward, students shared their experiences and connected with other students from across the world at a social reception.

The following day, Mini U students and their parents experienced International Storytime at Mini U. Also, students participated in the GeoGuesser Challenge.

Then, First Miami Student Credit Union, PNC Bank, and Miami Global Initiatives staff held two thirty minute panels to answer student questions on “Banking, Budgeting, and Finances for Study Inside and Outside the U.S.” 

The first panel focused primarily on how international students at Miami can budget inside the United States and Oxford specifically. The second panel focused on banking, budgeting, and finances for students attending or hoping to attend study abroad programs outside of the United States.

The Global Friendship Thanksgiving Dinner was held in the Shriver Center the next day. This annual event provided an opportunity for international students and scholars to experience a traditional American holiday and connect with community members and Miami faculty and staff. This event also highlighted the recipient of the Donald Nelson Award for Outstanding International Student Support, Alexis C. Andrews. 

The final day included the Global Career Trek to Cincinnati. This event was in collaboration with the career center and open to all students, with a focus on international students. This opportunity allowed students to get their foot in the door by meeting potential employers. Students visited with the Cincinnati World Affairs Council as well as Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.  

There are many global learning and study abroad opportunities provided at Miami. There are semester and year long programs as well as shorter term programs that can be faculty led, specific to a department, from a third party provider, or in Miami’s Luxembourg (MUDEC) campus. Education abroad can be catered specifically to students' interests based on their major and destination of choice. Miami also provides exchange programs that can be catered to students' specific interests as well.  

Sandra Garner, chair of the Department of Global and Intercultural Studies, encourages students to participate in study abroad opportunities.

“It’s very different learning about an international location and being there,” Garner said. “If you’re a college student, definitely take advantage of the opportunities to do it.” 

Currently, the Department of Global and Intercultural Studies is getting ready to kick off a program in Ecuador, with the Indigenous people in collaboration with the nonprofit organization Tandana Foundation. 

Garner explained how study abroad experiences like the one they are establishing in Ecuador can help students in college and in their future careers. 

“I think students, their ability to be successful in a study abroad course and get something out of that experience, really demonstrates, even for future employers and careers, that ability to be flexible and to go into new situations and get your bearings, get your orientation, and address that new situation,” she said

Ultimately, International Education Week draws attention to the value of global learning and international education, and it highlights all the opportunities Miami University offers students to increase global learning. 

During the IEW student panel, students who study abroad in the U.S. and other countries shared stories about culture shock, important lessons, and takeaways from their experience. The most important takeaway for all of the students was the strong sense of independence regained during their time abroad. Through experiences immersing themselves in the culture, trying new activities alone, meeting people around the world, learning new languages, and trying new cuisine, the students gained confidence within themselves. 

One Panelist stated, “Even the negative experiences forced me to meet new people, grow as a person, build my own life, see personal growth, and inspire those around me to go out and experience the world.” 

The panel learned how resilient they could be, and were able to bring back the things they loved from experiencing a new culture.