Webster University Celebrates International Education Week Nov. 14-18

International Education Week (IEW) is an annual nationwide celebration of international education and exchange that will take place Nov 14-18. It is an opportunity to "celebrate the benefits of education and exchange worldwide," according to the U.S. Department of State.

Colleges and universities across the country, as well as embassies, international organizations and businesses, host globally-themed events and activities throughout the week. IEW began in 2000 as a joint initiative through the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education with the goal to foster and celebrate international experiences.

In alignment with Webster University’s global mission, and to celebrate its international community, a number of events will be held at Webster campuses during IEW 2022. All faculty, staff and students are welcome to participate.

Monday, Nov. 14, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Event: Explore Uzbekistan: A look at its history, culture and traditions
Location: Sunnen Lounge, University Center, Webster Groves campus
Description: You hear lots of talk about Webster’s thriving campus in Tashkent, so come learn more about the history, culture, customs and food of Uzbekistan. Presented by Sverdrup Global Teaching Fellow and TESOL faculty, Dilnoza Dehkanova, in collaboration with Global Program Development. Students, staff and faculty are welcome.

Monday, Nov. 14, 1-3 p.m.
Event: IEW World Cup Soccer Tournament
Location: Grant Gym, Webster Groves Campus 
Description: In the week leading up to the World Cup, Webster will host its own soccer tournament open to students, faculty and staff. Everyone is welcome! Participants can sign up as a team or as individuals. All teams will play on Monday and Wednesday, with the final on Friday. Sign up through this online form.

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 9-10 a.m.
Event: Webster Georgia Information Session 
Location: Zoom (registration link)
Description:  Webster faculty and staff are welcome to attend a Zoom session that will provide an overview of Webster’s newest international campus in Tbilisi, Georgia. Learn about how the campus was established, its academic and program offerings, student body as well as some facts about the culture and history of Georgia. 

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Event: Global Food Tour featuring Geneva, Switzerland
Location: Marletto’s Dining Hall, Webster Groves campus 
Description: Come and enjoy lunch at Marletto’s featuring food from one of Webster’s international campus locations as part of the Fall 2022 Global Food Tour. Swiss food in recognition of Webster Geneva will be available for purchase on Tuesday of International Education Week.

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Event: WINS International Bazaar at Fontbonne
Location: Fontbonne University
Description: WINS staff are participating in the International Bazaar at Fontbonne University and will be speaking with students about study abroad opportunities. 

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 12-12:30 p.m.
Event: Summer 2023 Study Abroad Information Session
Location: Sverdrup 258
Description: Summer study abroad applications open on Nov. 15. This information session will provide an overview of programs being offered during Summer 2023 as well as scholarship opportunities and will help students get a jump start on the application process. 

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 1-3 p.m. 
Event: IEW Soccer Tournament
Location: Grant Gym, Webster Groves campus 
Description: In the week leading up to the World Cup, Webster will host its own soccer tournament open to students, faculty and staff. Everyone is welcome! Participants can sign up as a team or as individuals. All teams will play on Monday and Wednesday, with the final on Friday. Sign up through this online form.

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Event: WINS Education Abroad Fair at Central Washington University                                        Location: Central Washington University
Description: Central Washington University holds its annual study abroad fair during International Education Week. The event focuses on different study abroad opportunities for CWU students. 

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 6-7:30 p.m.
Event: Silent Disco
Location: EAB 252/263, Webster Groves campus 
Description: Searching for cultural and enjoyable experience? Be entertained by this fun event through music from various cultures. Prepare to dance and enjoy the music through wireless headphones with the freedom of switching available stations! 

Thursday, Nov. 17, 9-11 a.m. 
Event: Global Visions: Faculty Showcase of International Research 
Location: ISB Auditorium, Webster Groves campus 
Description: Come and join this showcase of Webster faculty presenting on international research topics. There will be four faculty members from different disciplines: sociology, French, Spanish and political science. Each will give a 30-minute presentation on their exciting research with time for questions.
Presenters:
Assistant Professor Dongling Zhang: Anthropology, Sociology
Title: “The ‘She Power’ That Was Not: Chinese Women Micro-Entrepreneurs' Experiences of Domestic Violence
Brief Abstract: This research focuses on urban Chinese women’s experiences of domestic violence while pursuing entrepreneurship careers. Zhang interviewed and observed seven women micro-entrepreneurs from the Chinese city of Nanjing between December 2019 and January 2020. Respondents used discourses of entrepreneurship to describe resisting traditional, patriarchal gender norms. Such resistance at the individual level, however, did not translate to gender equity in the workplace or family, Zhang said. Furthermore, a cycle of violence was perpetuated when respondents’ resistance and new positionality as self-employed entrepreneurs provoked violent backlash from male heads of household.
Brief bio: Zhang is an assistant professor in the Department of Global Languages, Cultures and Societies at Webster University. His research primarily focuses on microenterprise development programs in urban China and women’s massive entry into entrepreneurship in post-1978 China. He is currently working on a new research project on China’s partnership with United Nations Development Program to promote women’s entrepreneurship.
Professor Warren Rosenblum: History
Title: Fascism in Europe: Then and Now
Brief Abstract: What is "fascism" and where does it come from? Mussolini and Hitler stamped the image of an ultra-nationalist, racist ideology that glorifies violence and promotes a cult of personality around a charismatic leader. The resurgent fascism in Europe today both draws from this well of associations and goes in new directions. This presentation will delve into European fascism in its historic and contemporary forms, and will compare these movements to extremist tendencies in American politics  as well.
Bio: Rosenblum is professor of history at Webster University. He has published numerous works on modern European history. In 2021, he was a Fulbright scholar in Belgium. 
Assistant Professor Salim Ayoub: French, Director of Centre Francophone
Title: What is Language? The key to power in a plural world
Brief Abstract: Language is a central part of what makes us human. It allows us to identify with one another and form communities but at the same time, it can also create obstacles and tensions between people. Language intersects with identity markers and external factors such as ethnicity, gender, culture and borders. These interactions reveal differential power relations. For example, how does the domination of certain languages alter global relations and cultures? To answer this and other questions, language must be treated as a phenomenon to be approached from multiple perspectives. This, in turn, allows one to acquire a global understanding of its universal dynamics and mechanisms.
Bio: Ayoub is the director of the Francophone Center in St. Louis and an assistant professor of French and Francophone Studies at Webster University. Ayoub graduated with a PhD in Literary, Cultural, and Linguistic Studies from the University of Miami in May 2020. He is a former visiting assistant professor of French at Colby College; teacher of English; journalist; and social worker who graduated from the university of Rabat in Morocco with a degree in English. He completed his professional training in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) at the university of Meknes. He received an MA in American Studies from the university of Casablanca. Ayoub’s research and teaching interests include French and Francophone languages, literatures and Film; applied and sociolinguistics; film studies; and de- and post-colonial studies. In Spring 2016, Ayoub received the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, and in the summer of the same year, he obtained the Summer Research Award that enabled him to conduct research in Belgium, France, Morocco and the Netherlands. In Spring 2019, Ayoub was the recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Award. During the same period, he served as the on-site coordinator for UParis, the "University of Miami in Paris" study abroad program. 
Instructor Ruben Angel Arias Rueda: Spanish     
Title: Regarding the pleasure of others. Representations of leisure under an open sky
Brief Abstract: Leisure has been, and still is, one of the most explored and exploited topics by photographers all over the planet with commercial and artistic motivations. In his brief presentation, Arias will describe and confront the models and clichés used to symbolize and represent leisure. A trip through important photographic works that have made leisure the raw material and the excuse for an aesthetic of ridicule and extravagance. Works that strongly contrast both with the bucolic and idyllic tradition and with the most recent anthropology and sociology approaches to leisure activities.  
Bio: Arias is an environmental chemist, a doctor in Hispanic philology from the University of the Basque Country in Spain and a photographer. He has worked as a professor of Spanish language and literature for various Hispanic and American universities. He actively collaborates with the cultural press and regularly participates in radio programs in the Hispanic world. He is the author of the book, "Regarding the pleasure of others. Representations of leisure under an open sky" (Muga, 2019). 

Thursday, Nov. 17, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Event: WINS International Festival at Missouri Baptist
Location: Missouri Baptist University
Description: Each year during International Education Week, Missouri Baptist students, faculty and staff showcase their home country or countries they have experienced. The event takes place in the Great Hall and features food, henna, Korean calligraphy, dancing and more. WINS staff will have a table promoting study abroad opportunities.

Thursday, Nov. 17, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Event: Scavenger Hunt
Location: EAB Edward Jones Commons, Webster Groves campus 
Description: French and Spanish language students team up in this exciting race around campus.  Any level of either French of Spanish is welcome. Prizes and snacks will be provided.

Thursday, Nov. 17, 3-3:30 p.m.
Event: Study Abroad 101
Location: Sverdrup 207
Description: Interested in studying abroad but don't know where to start? This session is perfect for you. Staff in the Office of Study Abroad will provide an overview of everything you need to know, plus be available to answer any questions you might have. 

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2-4 p.m.
Event: Cooking Demonstration/Competition (Argentina v. Burundi v. France)
Location: ISB 174 Kitchen Lab 
Description: Francophone international students will introduce you to typical Argentinian, Burundian and French recipes and you get to decide who is the best chef! Please RSVP to hannahharms23@webster.edu. First come, first serve with 20 spots available. Students, faculty and staff are welcome.

Friday, Nov. 18, 1-3 p.m.
Event: IEW Soccer Tournament 
Location: Grant Gym, Webster Groves campus 
Description: In the week leading up to the World Cup, Webster will host its own soccer tournament open to students, faculty and staff; everyone is welcome. Participants can sign up as a team or as individuals. All teams will play on Monday and Wednesday, with the final on Friday. Sign up through this online form.

A special thanks to the International Education Week planning committee and the following Webster departments and campuses: Office of Study Abroad, Global Program Development, Department of Global Language, Cultures and Societies, Centre Francophone, Webster Tashkent and Webster Georgia.