Monday, November 17
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
UWF Celebrates the World Kick-off Celebration
10 – 10:30 a.m.
Parade of Nations, Commons Auditorium
A parade of nations will kick off the celebrations of International Education Week. UWF students from across the globe will proudly carry their country flags on to the stage in the Commons Auditorium to mark the beginning of International Education Week, a week of activities to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. UWF’s international population represents over 60 countries.
10:30 a.m.
Presidential Address, Commons Auditorium
Join us for a warm welcome from, UWF President, Dr. Judith Bense who will speak about UWF’s commitment to international education.
10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cultural Exhibition, Commons Auditorium
Peruse through the many cultural exhibits the students have for your enjoyment. You will be able to travel the world right here at UWF. Learn more about China and Japan, India and Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, Peru and Argentina, Nigeria and Egypt, to name a few of the countries you will visit. Sample some exotic foods and enjoy the sounds of music from the far away “lands.”
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
International Fashion Show, Commons Auditorium
Delight your eyes by watching a fashion show of typical attires from various countries. This event, will bring to the stage fashions from around the globe including Brazil, India, Japan, and China.
12:00 p.m.
Kite Decorating and Kite Flying, Cannon Greens
Enjoy the outdoors for kite decorating and flying in the Cannon Green. This activity should give you practice in the fun sport and creative art of decorating and flying a kite. This is to prepare you for the viewing of the foreign movie, The Kite Runner, on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.
2 p.m.
Study Abroad Information Session, Commons Auditorium
You are invited to an information session on opportunities for Study Abroad. Are you aware that UWF has over 30 international academic agreements with universities overseas in countries in Europe, South America, and Asia? Studying abroad will open new doors for you. You will have a chance to get to learn another culture and another language while earning credits towards your degree.
5-9 p.m.
UWF World Cup and International Games
Have fun with international games. Watch fire dancing and Tai Chi demonstrations and learn some of the Kung fu moves. What could be more fun that watching soccer matches between 4 very competitive teams! Enjoy an evening of fun and free hot dogs and hamburgers in the Intramural Field. Students wishing to play soccer need to sign up to play by emailing intered@uwf.edu.
This finalizes the celebrations for today. There is more to come tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 18
9:00 a.m.
Funding Your Study Abroad Experience, Nautilus Chamber
Expand your horizons through a study- abroad experience. Studying abroad is possible and desirable considering today’s globalization and the need to prepare graduates who are ready to join the global workforce. UWF has over 30 international partners where you could possibly study. In this session, you will learn about available funding for study abroad experiences.
12:00 p.m.
Presentation and Q&A Session by David Ware, immigration attorney, Conference Room C
David Ware, a nationally known immigration attorney, will discuss the latest information about immigration issues related to F-1 and J-1 student and scholar status. Learn about the path to permanent residency and citizenship, employment, and other issues. You will have a chance to ask questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to have first hand information from an expert.
1:00 p.m.
Study and Travel in China Seminar, Conference Room A
Have you ever wished you could visit China, the land of exotic architecture and history? This is your opportunity to learn more about China. Dr. Li, Chair of the Math and Statistics Department, a native of China, will lead you through study and travel opportunities in China. A brief introduction of China and its culture, travel and education will be given by the Chinese Consulate General in Houston, Liqing Wei. UWF’s Chinese exchange students will share information on studying at universities in China and Dr. Joe Lepo, from UWF’s biology department, will share information on travel and research experiences in China.
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Chinese Immersion Room, Conference Room A
Discover China! The Chinese Immersion Room will make this possible. Talk to Chinese students; sample their food; listen to their sounds; find out how to write in Chinese characters; learn a few words in Chinese; and much more…
4 p.m.
French Mini-Lesson, Commons, Room 259
Learn survival French, enough so you won’t get lost in Paris… Enjoy this beautiful language, spoken by diplomats and cherished by many.
7 p.m.
“An Evening with Heather Rae”, UWF Music Hall
Enjoy and evening with Heather Rae, a Cherokee film producer and director, will be discussing her impressive and extensive experience in the film industry.
8 p.m.
The Kite Runner, UWF Commons Auditorium
Cinemagic and the International Student Association invite you to watch The Kite Runner, a powerful movie that tells the story of Amir, a boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, who is haunted by the guilt of betraying his childhood friend Hassan, the son of his father's Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime.
Wednesday, November 19
9 a.m.
Work/Intern/Volunteer Abroad Presentation, Conference Center Lounge
Get answers to your questions about opportunities to work, internship or volunteer abroad. Can you get internship credit? Do you need insurance and a visa? Where can you go?
10 a.m.
Irish Dance Lessons, Conference Room A
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to do Irish stepdance, this is your chance. Lessons will be given by instructors from the Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance.
11 a.m.
Spanish Immersion Room, Commons, Room 260
The Spanish Immersion Room, will offer participants a chance to experience the Spanish language and culture.
12 p.m.
Presentation by Charlie Song, Senior Consultant for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Conference Room C
University of West Florida faculty member Charlie Song, will share his experience as serving as a senior consultant for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Song worked to help the Beijing government utilize the Olympics as a development and growth opportunity for the city of Beijing. The Olympics resulted in major infrastructure changes in Beijing including 31 competition venues and renovations of 100 facilities throughout the entire city. Song's responsibilities included providing consultation for how to utilize the facilities once the Games are over.
12 – 2 p.m.
Fair Trade Festival, Cannon Green
University of West Florida student organization, Progressive Student Alliance, will host a Fair Trade Festival that will allow students to sample free fair trade coffee (be sure to BYOM – bring your own mug), learn more about local stores that sell fair trade items and donate canned goods to the Manna Food Bank for Thanksgiving.
1 p.m.
American Slang Mini-Lesson, International Center, Bldg. 71
UWF student, Josh Green, will hold an American slang mini-lesson for any students interested in learning common American language and its origin.
2 p.m.
Summer Study Abroad Programs, Conference Room A
Summer experiences offer a chance to study for a shorter term and for less money than traditional semester-long programs. Students have the opportunity to earn UWF credit while studying in another country and experiencing a new culture. UWF has summer opportunities in ten countries.
3 p.m.
India at a Glance, Conference Room A
UWF student, Bhargav Desai, will share a presentation on the wonders of India.
7 p.m.
Diversity Showcase Talent Show, Commons Auditorium
The Diversity Showcase celebrates the diversity of our campus. Different school organizations such as LASA, ASU, Phi Beta Sigma and GSA are coming together to show off their talent and skills. Please come and support your fellow students as they invite you to take a peek into their own diverse culture. To sign up, email intered@uwf.edu or sr20@student.uwf.edu
Thursday, November 20
10 a.m.
Spanish Mini-Lesson, Commons, Room 260
UWF student, Blanca Astete Bonifaz, will teach participants some basics of the Spanish language. No experience in Spanish is required.
10:30 a.m.
Hindi Mini-Lesson, Commons Room 265
UWF students, Ektaa and Miti Patel, will teach participants some basics of the Hindi language, which is spoken in over 40% of India.
11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
International Lunch, Nautilus Market
The Nautilus Market International Station will offer a Stir - Fry skillet menu cooked to order. Chef's Table Station will offer Chicken Marsala, with Potatoes in Garlic and Olive Oil, and Green Beans.
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Diversity Art Showcase, Great Hall
UWF students will be able to showcase their art for the UWF community. Feel free to bring your own piece of culture as there will be prizes for artists who best capture diversity in their work of art. The showcase is sponsored by UWF Artery and UWF Student Government Association.
3 p.m.
Summer Semester in Japan Student Presentations, Commons, Room 272
Students who participated in this year’s Summer Semester in Japan will share their experiences and will give information on how to apply for this exciting opportunity through the UWF Japan Center.
7 p.m.
Concentration Camps in North Korea and the Invisible Children in Darfur Presentation, Conference Center A
The UWF Student Organization, Crimes Against Humanity, is a fundraising organization for LINK (Liberty In North Korea) and Invisible Children. The purpose of their presentation is to promote awareness of North Korean Concentration Camps and the Invisible Children in Darfur, where kids are forced into militia groups or murdered. Crimes Against Humanity offers insight into these 'alien' worlds in order for others to have a better understanding and to help eliminate these horrible acts on mankind.
Friday, November 5
10 a.m.
Study Abroad Experiences from UWF Students, Conference Center Lounge
Past Study Abroad participants will provide the student view of study abroad. Students will talk about their travel, study, culture, and individual experiences from their study abroad experience.
11 a.m. & 12 p.m.
Japanese Tea Ceremonies, Japan House, Bldg. 71
The UWF Japan Center will host two Japanese tea ceremonies in the Japan House. Reservations are required for the tea ceremony, as space is limited.
1 p.m.
Portuguese Mini-Lesson, Commons, Room 265
UWF student, Rafael Lisboa, will teach participants some basics of the Portuguese language. Today, Portuguese is one of the world's major languages, ranked 6th according to number of native speakers.
4 – 5:30 p.m.
Turning the Brain On with Origami, a presentation by Marilyn B. Lewis, Japan House, Bldg. 71
Marilyn Lewis, a psychological specialist, will talk about how the origin of brain mechanisms involved in human language is a much-debated subject.
“Evolutionary process suggests that language and the capacity for symbolic art may be the basis for extraordinary cognitive abilities that are uniquely human,” said Lewis. “Listeners will be able to decide what the contrasting components in origami are that influence verbal communication.”
Reservations are required, as space is limited.