International Education Week
Better Together: Strength in Community
IEW 2026 Dates: November 8–12
In celebration of International Education Week (IEW), 鶹Ƶ is proud to recognize the relationships and shared experiences that make global education possible. From November 8–12, we will explore this year’s theme, “Better Together: Strength in Community.”
At its core, this theme reflects a simple but important idea: international education thrives through meaningfulrelationships, shared experiences, and collective purpose. Global learning is strengthened when students, faculty, staff, and partners come together across cultures, disciplines, backgrounds, and perspectives.
The theme also reflects 鶹Ƶ’s commitment to relationship-rich and engaged learning. Whether through experiences on campus, in the local community, or around the world, international education creates opportunities to build connections, learn with and from others, and develop a deeper understanding of our shared and interconnected world.
Throughout the week, we invite the 鶹Ƶ community to consider questions such as:
- How do relationships across cultures and perspectives deepen learning and understanding?
- What helps create communities in which people from different backgrounds can contribute, connect, and thrive?
- How can shared experiences help us move beyond simply encountering difference to learning meaningfully from one another?
- What can local communities teach us about global connection, and what can global perspectives contribute to our communities at home?
- How can collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and institutions help us address challenges that no one community can solve alone?
- What role can each of us play in creating a stronger and more globally connected 鶹Ƶ community?
IEW is made possible through the collaboration of many units across campus. We thank them for their commitment to global education.
Sunday, November 8
6:00 – 7:00 pm
Global Flow Yoga at Sunset
Performing Arts, Associate Professor Renay Aumiller
Location: Global Quad
Sato Commons Media Room (rain plan)
End your day with Global Flow Yoga, a grounding and energizing session
open to all members of the 鶹Ƶ community. Co-sponsored by the
Department of Performing Arts and the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center.
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Sundaes on Sundays
Sato Commons Lobby
Join Dr. Sandy Marshall, faculty-in-residence in the Global Neighborhood, and his family for ice cream, games, conversation, and community-building! More details and other Global Neighborhood events can be accessed here.
Monday, November 9
Monday, November 9 – Thursday, November 12 
Luxembourgish Language(s) Exhibition
Location: Sato Commons Lobby
In Luxembourg, multilingualism is part of everyday life. Wedged between Germany, France and Belgium, the small European nation has three official languages–Luxembourgish, French and German–while English and Portuguese are also widely spoken, reflecting the country’s large immigrant population and international workforce. Take a closer look at how those languages intersect with the country’s history, culture, education and migration.
Thank you to the exhibition’s many co-sponsors, including the Department of Visual Communication, School of Communications, Isabella Cannon Global Education Center, Department of World Languages and Cultures, and German Studies Program.
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Research in Global Contexts: Student & Faculty Symposium and Reception
Location: 2nd Floor Sato Commons — 201/203/204/Engagement Space
Celebrate International Education Week with an engaging reception, poster session, and panel discussion showcasing Mentored Undergraduate Research in Global Contexts (MUR-GC), supported through grants from the Center for Research on Global Engagement (CRGE). Explore student research posters and connect with students, faculty, and staff who have conducted research in international and global settings. The panel discussion will feature faculty mentors and student researchers sharing their projects, emerging findings, and insights from their experiences. Presenters will also reflect on the personal, academic, and professional growth fostered through global research and engagement opportunities. Join us for this unique opportunity to learn about innovative undergraduate research while celebrating the transformative impact of global learning at 鶹Ƶ.
4:30–5:30 p.m.
French Poetry Slam
Location: Oak HousePlease arrive early free coffee/soda until the tab runs out!
Sponsored by the World Languages and Cultures
Join us as words come alive at our annual French Poetry Slam! Participants may
or just show upto support and enjoy the show.
Prizes will be awarded for pronunciation, memorization, and delivery.
6:00 –9:00 p.m.
FAMU Prague: Student Film Screening
Location: Turner Theater
Cinema and TV Arts, Professor Nicole Triche
The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague offers an immersive study abroad experience. As a part of the semester-long program, students create film projects in teams. School of Communicationsstudents Camryn Banks, Alex McCollum, Molly Clayton, and Ariel Blanchard will show their short film projects, followed by a Q&A about their FAMU and Prague experience.
Tuesday, November 10
9:40–10:20 a.m.
Coffee Hour Tabling
Global Education Center
Location: Phi Beta Kappa Commons – College Coffee
Stop by and visit with the GEC on Phi Beta Kappa Commons at College Coffee! We will have flag stickers to pass out;represent a country that means something to youor wear one in respect and in support of our international community!
12:10–2:10 p.m.
Traditional West African Dance with Live Drumming
Location: Medallion Plaza | Rain Location: Lakeside Upstairs
Performing Arts, Associate Professor Keshia Gee and Associate Professor Jen Guy Metcalf
Catch the beat! 鶹Ƶ’s Beginning African Dance class presents an energetic performance with live drumming, celebrating West African rhythms and culture. Organized by the 鶹Ƶ Dance Performance and Choreography Program.
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Polygot Lunch
Location: Lakeside Dining Hall
TheDepartment of World Languages and Cultureswill hostPolyglotLunch in Lakeside Dining, at the long tables behind the cashier. All language learners/speakers are welcome to join us for lunch and practice conversational skills in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. Everyone is welcome! If you don’t have a meal plan, simply let the cashier know that you are here for thePolyglotLunch.
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Diwali Hindu Festival of Lights
Location: McKinnon Hall, Truitt Center
The Hindu festival of lights commemorates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Experience 鶹Ƶ’s celebration of the spiritual holiday through traditional food and dance as well as songs and stories from students, faculty, staff, and community members.
5:30–7:10 p.m.
Discover Calligraphy
Location: Lindner 204
Asian Studies at UNCCH, Associate Professor Bonnie Wang,
and Sociology and Anthropology at 鶹Ƶ, Assistant Professor Pamela RunestadLearn about Chinese calligraphy with calligrapher Bonnie Wang. This workshop gives you a chance to write Chinese characters (or Kanji in Japanese) with brushes and ink while learning about character meanings and style. No experience necessary. Space is limited, so if you would like to sign up, please contact Dr. Runestad atprunestad@elon.edu.
7:00 –9:00 p.m.
Global Film Series: Le fils / The Son
Location: Sato Commons Media Room
Presented by: World Languages and Cultures, Associate Teaching Professor Patti Burns
Le fils(The Son), a French-language film byBelgian directors Pierre-Jean and Luc Dardenne, followsOlivier, a carpentry instructor at a social rehabilitation center. TheGlobal Neighborhood Film Series sponsors the film. This year, the Neighborhoodtheme is MVPs, exploring the value of mentors, role models, and unsung heroes; who society values(or doesn’t)and why; and how people,places, and communities shape us. Join us for a screening and discussion.
Wednesday, November 11
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Social Justice Topics Tabling
Location: Moseley Center
As part of International Education Week, the GEC, in collaboration with the Students for Peace and Justice, will be hosting a resource tabling event, alongside the GEC vision board event. The goal of this event is to allow students to learn more aboutdifferent cultures, communities, global issues, and social justicethrough the organizations and departments already doing this work at 鶹Ƶ.
This interactive event brings together cultural clubs and organizations from across campus.Featuringtabling stations where student organizations can share aspects of their culture, traditions, food, and/ ora social justice issue thatis currentlyimpactingtheir community.
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Minute to Win It! Meet and Greet
Community Partners and International Student Ambassadors
Location: Sato Commons 3rd Floor
Join the GEC and International Student Services in celebrating IEWthrough an evening of laughter and games!Featuring a “Minute toWinIt” game style, the event encourages teamwork andcamaraderie,asteams work together to cheer oneanother onand leadtheir team to victory!
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
International Cheese Festival
International Living/Learning Community and Religious Studies,
Assistant Professor Shelia Otieno
Location: Lakeside Dining Hall
Got Cheese? Join the International LLC for a Cheese Extravaganza featuring a cheese-themed menu. Join us for Kahoot and compete to win cheesy prizes.
Thursday, November 12
9:40 – 10:20 a.m.
International Coffee Hour and International Books and Authors
Senior Librarian Shannon Tennant and Associate Librarian Alison Van Norman
Location: Sacred Space, Numen Lumen
Join us for a special collaboration with Numen Lumen and the Belk Library.Our very own international community member, Emma Hansen will be speaking during Numen Lumen, with a special performance from the 鶹Ƶ Theatre Department’s cast of Come From Away.The Belk Library will also be present to showcaseinternational authors and titles as well as library resources available for students!
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Amici dell’Italia: Friends of Italy
Italian Studies, Assistant Teaching Professor Mena Marino, and Cinema and TV Arts, AssociateProfessor Doug Kass
Location: Carlton Commons
Anyone interested in Italy or Italian? You are invited to hear from faculty who have taught or lived in Italy. The faculty will speak about their experience in the “bel paese” (beautiful country), the Italian language, culture, and the critical thinking skills studying abroad can develop. Special thanks to the World Languages and Culture and Italian Studies.
8:30 -10:30 a.m.
Student Union Board
International Trivia Night
Location: Irazú Café
Think you knowabout culture, customs, and countries around the globe? Grab a team and join SUB and the Global Education Center’s International Student Ambassadors for a special international-themed trivia! Pick up a coffee and stay for a round or three of pub-style trivia and fun prizes!