International Education Week aims to unite students

International Education Week gives Eastern New Mexico University students a chance to learn about different cultures from international students.

The week-long event kicks off Monday with a Ping-Pong double championship. ENMU students Taylor Berger and Bryan Summy are doubles partners in the Ping-Pong championship.

Berger said the international week is beneficial for the university and the international students.

“The international students tend to stay in their own groups and with this it involves the entire university,” Berger said.

Summy said it is a great way to get everybody involved and to have some fun.

International education week is Monday through Friday. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education.

The event is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide for Americans and international students to be able to exchange experiences, according to the Department of State Web site.

Other events include a Pakistani Wedding Presentation, International Cultural Festival, International Flag Parade and International Celebration Night.

“We have one event going on each day next week, said Director of International Affairs Danni Luo.

“It is just not an ENMU thing. It happens all over America,” he said.

The International Cultural Festival also includes dancing, calligraphy, henna tattoos and a traditional clothing show.

Zhiming Liu, professor of biology at ENMU, said there are not many things for international students to do in a small town and this is something out of the ordinary. Liu said foreign students want to know about the culture because it is part of their education.

“I think this kind of activity is very important,” Liu said. “Every time we have some activities like this I do my best to get the students more involved and bring them together with American students.”

International Education Week events

Monday

• 6 to 8 p.m. — ENMU Ping-Pong Double Championship, CUB Ballroom.

Tuesday

• 4 p.m. — Pakistani Wedding presentation, CUB Sandia Room.

Wednesday

• 6 to 8 p.m. — International Cultural Festival, CUB Lobby.

Thursday

• Noon — International Flag parade, Main campus.

Friday

• 7 p.m. — International Celebration night, Wesley Foundation at the corner of South Avenue K and West 14th Lane.