UNA Showcases International Opportunities For Students and Faculty

Nov. 3, 2009



FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of North Alabama will host International Education Week Nov. 16-20. The week aims to educate students about different cultures and to showcase the university’s international flair.

“We are very please to launch the official celebration of International Education Week at UNA,” said Dr. Chungsheng Zhang, vice provost for international affairs. “It provides a good opportunity to showcase UNA’s international education programs and international engagement by students, faculty and staff.”

In addition to students, faculty and staff, Zhang said, some of the week’s activities will be important for other local students. “The fun learning activities during the Passport to the World event are specifically designed for the K-12 students in the Shoals schools. We hope to help plant an early seed of global learning among schoolchildren.”

The week of activities will officially launch with a kick-off event at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at the GUC Bridge. Other events of the week will include:

Academic Deans on Internationalization at UNA

Nov. 16, noon-1 p.m.; GUC Performance Center

UNA’s four academic deans discuss the current and future endeavors to internationalize the university. International pizza will be served.

Global Learners Forum I (International Students)

Nov. 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m.; GUC Loft

UNA international students discuss their native countries and cultures.

UNA Internationalization

Nov. 18, 11 a.m.-noon; GUC Performance Center

The university’s president, provost and vice provost for international affairs discuss the vision, mission and implementation of internationalization at UNA.

Global Learners Forum II (Study Abroad Students)

Nov. 19, 12:30-1:30 p.m.; GUC Loft

UNA students who have studied abroad discuss their international experiences and how those experiences have changed their lives.

Global Scholars Forum

Nov. 20, 11 a.m.-noon; GUC Performance Center

UNA faculty members discuss their teaching-abroad experiences and other international scholarly activities.

Passport to the World

Nov. 20, 5-8 p.m.; GUC Banquet Halls

All K-12 students in the Shoals area are invited to participate. Activities include a world music performance and “traveling” with UNA’s international students to experience various world cultures. The first 500 students will be presented with a passport to document how many countries they can visit in three hours.

For more information, contact the Office of International Affairs at 256-765-4626 or cdpreslar@una.edu.