As a university that embraces international learning, Southwest Minnesota State University’s ISO (International Student Organization) club and other clubs celebrated International Education Week, which began on Nov. 12, with two events.
International Education Week celebrates the benefits of international learning around the world and is promoted by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education.
The first event, held on Nov. 10, was the fourth annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Sale and Flea Market.
With around 50 vendors in attendance, this event was an opportunity for students, faculty, and other community members to try foods and buy crafts from the home countries of international students.
The eighth annual International Arts Festival, held on Nov. 15, was the finale to the celebration of international education.
This festival is held for students who display the culture of their home countries.
“This is an event presented by the International Student Organization. The Muslim Student Organization, the Hmong Student Organization and UGLYS participated in the fashion show.
Ajeev Shah, our current graduate assistant, worked very hard to pull this event together,” Sandy Nelson, ISO club advisor, said.
Many people help in the planning and participation of this event, with a total of 121 students from 23 different countries.
“It brings the students together to share their different cultures and get to know each other better,” Nelson said.
All students either performed a dance or song number that represented each different country. A fashion show and silent auction were also part of the event.
International Education Week
Kim Watkins, News Editor
November 27, 2012
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About the Contributor
Kim Watkins, Former Member
Kim is a former member of the SMSU Spur. She was on staff for 4 years - she started in the 2010 Fall Semester. She is a double major - majoring in PWC (Professional Writing & Communications) and Literature. She graduated from Benson, Minn. High School in 2010 with honors.
Her hobbies include reading, writing, walking, internet browsing and hanging out with friends and family, of course. She is also involved in the SMSU Jazz Ensemble and SMSU Concert Band and has also performed in the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra. Her other clubs include the English Club and Perceptions (SMSU's literary magazine). She is also involved in the Oyate Club.
She loves big cities (mostly Minneapolis), libraries/book stores, camping (sometimes), swimming, listening to music and much more.
Her passion is to become a book publisher/editor. Other dreams include hiking the Triple Crown and seeing all of the U.K.
