Did you know 2023 is the 23rd year International Education Week (IEW) has been celebrated around the world? In the two decades since it started, the week has grown continuously, and is a great time to highlight the strength, ingenuity, and persistence of everyone in the international education sector. So, how can you get in on the celebrations? Read on to learn a few ways to celebrate International Education Week as a student.
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Join International Education Week Events
One of the easiest ways to celebrate International Education Week is to see if your campus is hosting IEW events. Depending on the institution, you might see special menus appear at campus restaurants, enjoy free concerts, join international movie nights, or hear from guest speakers.
Not sure how to find the events? Check with your campus’ students’ union, or the international office in-person or on social media to see what’s coming up.
Some events are designed purely for entertainment, like talent performances or karaoke nights. Others support your professional growth, like international career fairs or workshops. Still other events bring folks together to discuss challenges international students face.
A neat example of this was a How to Gain Experience panel at Canada’s Wilfrid Laurier University in 2022. During this session, senior-year international students shared their strategies for finding on- or off-campus work, making the most of co-op terms, and learning how to thrive in the broader campus community.
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Consider (Even More) International Study or Work
Did you know that some institutions, like the University of Manitoba in Canada, encourage eligible domestic and international students to pursue further international study opportunities? This could involve studying at sister campuses in other countries, or at other colleges or universities. This is a great way to boost your cultural fluency and build an international network, often without adding more terms to your degree.
As modern workplaces evolve, their search for talent is global. While some sectors lean into a remote-first approach, other businesses look for new grads who can move to a new country and fill in-demand roles.
This Study Australia story about a Deakin University graduate whose experience led to her working with the World Health Organization is a great example of this opportunity. Being an international student means you’ve already shown you can move to a new country and adapt. This experience will give you something good to talk about in your job interview. It can also help to make you a top candidate.
Many institutions hold international study info sessions and job fairs during International Education Week. So, if further study abroad or an international career is something you’re thinking about, IEW could be the perfect time to learn more.
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Share Your Experience
As an international student, you understand studying abroad much better than most people! International Education Week is a perfect time to share your knowledge with others. Here are some ways you can take part in IEW!
Write a Column
One way to share your knowledge is by writing a column in the campus newspaper. Increasingly, international students are sharing their experiences (exciting, tough, and everywhere in-between).
Want inspiration? Check out international student Edhita Singhal‘s column in the USC Daily Trojan, or Alice Boyle’s evocative piece on dumplings, family, and creating home in the University of Toronto’s Varsity newspaper.
Start with a Single Project
Is a column too long-term? You can also write a stand-alone opinion piece, jump into a podcast, or participate in an IEW event panel.
You might not think you have knowledge to share. But, if you think about everything you’ve accomplished so far as an international student, you might surprise yourself. Whether you talk about how you learned how to get medical care in a foreign country after breaking your toe on a holiday weekend, the best ways to feel less homesick, or where to go for lunch on a budget, IEW could be the perfect time to share your stories.
Volunteer
If being in the spotlight makes you want to melt into the floor, consider volunteering! Whether you’re handing out popcorn at an IEW event, or mentoring younger students, being around others who believe in the power of international education can boost your mood and help grow your community.
Ready to get started? Our colleague (and past international student) Raveena shares how to work with your parents to plan your international study.
We hope these ways to celebrate International Education Week as a student have inspired you. Whether you choose to share your experience, kick back at a special event, or consider your next step, you’ll build your skills and network—and those of the international education community.
Take the next step! Find a study program fitting your goals and budget on the ApplyBoard Platform.
