International Education Week
November 13-17, 2023
Engaged, Resilient, Global
International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education promotes programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.
If you’d like more information about IEW events around the country, check the US Department of State’s IEW website. If you’d like more information about IEW-related readings, research topics, and more, check the PCC Library’s special IEW page. For more information, contact Tiff Hayes or visit the Office of International Student Services website.
Download a printable IEW 2023 flyer or IEW 2023 schedule.
Connect with OISS
- Sign up for the PCC international student newsletter
- Join PCC international student life on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Discord
Monday
Social media
Find us on the social media platform of your choice above!
- Introduction to IEW and schedule for the week: International Education Week is a nationwide event held every year in America by the US Department of State. Collaboratively different colleges, universities, and organizations plan events to engage in global diversity. During the different events, we can celebrate the benefits of cultural and academic exchange between people. It is a week to connect with different cultures, people, and programs, to further our understanding and experiences.
- Meet our international student leader team: Check out our social media accounts today to learn more about some of our incredible student leaders!
Snacks from around the world
Come join us to try candy and snacks from different countries around the world. Try to guess which countries your favorites come from!
- Time: 12-2pm on all campuses
- Location:
- Cascade: Cascade Hall 3rd floor lounge
- Rock Creek: Building 5 lounge
- Southeast: Tabor Great Hall
- Sylvania: CC upper mall
International photo booth and giveaways
Stop by to take a photo in our international photo booth and get a fun prize!
- Times and locations
- 9am-12 noon, Rock Creek OISS (Building 3, room 223)
- 12-2pm, Sylvania OISS (CC 215)
- 1-5pm, Rock Creek OISS (Building 3, room 223)
International trivia
Join us online for some fun trivia with lots of great prizes!
- Time: 4-5:30pm
- Location: Zoom for international trivia (note: you must join from your PCC Zoom account)
Tuesday
Social media
Find us on the social media platform of your choice above!
- Meet our international student leader team: Check out our social media accounts today to learn more about some of our incredible student leaders!
- World landmark photo challenge: We invite everyone to send us their pictures of world landmarks they have visited or from their hometowns.
Flag garland craft workshop
Join us to create an international garland with your country’s flag. We will provide postcard-size paper, coloring materials, and decorations.
- Time: 1-3pm
- Location: Sylvania OISS (CC 215)
International photo booth and giveaways
Stop by to take a photo in our international photo booth and get a fun prize!
- Times and locations
- 9am-12 noon, Rock Creek OISS (Building 3, room 223)
- 1-3pm, Sylvania OISS (CC 215)
- 1-5pm, Rock Creek OISS (Building 3, room 223)
Día de los Muertos
Join us online to learn more about Dia de los Muertos from our IPL Yaz.
- Time: 2-3:30pm
- Location: Zoom for Día de los Muertos (note: you must join from your PCC Zoom account)
Wednesday
Social media
Find us on the social media platform of your choice above!
- Meet our international student leader team: Check out our social media accounts today to learn more about some of our incredible student leaders!
Myths and legends
Learn about myths and legends in different cultures!
- Time: 11am-12:30pm
- Location: Southeast Tabor Great Hall
International photo booth and giveaways
Stop by to take a photo in our international photo booth and get a fun prize!
- Times and locations
- 9am-12 noon, Rock Creek OISS (Building 3, room 223)
- 11am-12:30pm, Southeast Tabor Great Hall
- 1-5pm, Rock Creek OISS (Building 3, room 223)
PCC study abroad info session
Learn how you can study abroad and earn PCC credit by taking courses in Cuba, Spain, Germany, or other countries. Join our information session, visit the Education Abroad website, or join us for an advising meeting this term!
- Time: 12-1pm
- Location: Zoom for the study abroad info session
Partners in Diversity, a Say Hey! event
Say Hey! is the largest multicultural networking event in Oregon and southwest Washington and aims to connect professionals of color who have recently relocated to our region with local businesses, community members, and allies. Get ready for a wonderful evening of community building, featuring introductions of honorees, networking opportunities, delicious food, and prizes. Free and open to professionals of color and allies. Registration is required.
- Time: 5:30-8pm
- Location: Sylvania CC building
- Registration: Register for Partners in Diversity
Thursday
Social media
Find us on the social media platform of your choice above!
- Meet our international student leader team: Check out our social media accounts today to learn more about some of our incredible student leaders!
What’s your name? Name writing in many languages
Come join us and have your name written in Arabic, Burmese, French, and Vietnamese by our student leaders.
- Time: 2-4pm
- Location: Cascade (room TBD)
International photo booth and giveaways
Stop by to take a photo in our international photo booth and get a fun prize!
- Times and locations
- 9am-12 noon, Rock Creek OISS (Building 3, room 223)
- 1-5pm, Rock Creek OISS (Building 3, room 223)
- 2-4pm, Cascade (room TBD)
Diwali celebration
Diwali (Festival of Lights) is a celebration where the new moon night’s darkness is dispelled by innumerable lighted earthen lamps, representing lamps of knowledge within us having the power to remove all darkness and ignorance. Join us for a magical afternoon of lights, joy, and culture! Enjoy Rangoli artwork, DIY henna, entertainment, and delicious Indian snacks! Planned by the Multicultural Center.
- Time: 1:30-3:30pm
- Location: Rock Creek Building 3, stage and mall
Q&A with international students
Learn more about the life of international students in Portland! International students from India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and Myanmar will answer questions about their home countries, their experiences in the US so far, and so much more! Bring your own questions to ask at the end.
- Time: 3:30-5pm
- Location: Zoom for Q&A with international students (note: you must join from your PCC Zoom account)
Friday
Social media
Find us on the social media platform of your choice above!
- Meet our international student leader team: Check out our social media accounts today to learn more about some of our incredible student leaders!
- Highlights from IEW activities: Check out our social media accounts today to see all the fun we’ve had this week!
Takoyaki party
Come to our Takopa! Learn about the Japanese traditional food takoyaki (octopus-filled dough balls), check out our octopus-themed decorations, and even try some delicious takoyaki! Registration is required.
Note: We cannot accommodate gluten-free or vegan diets for this event, but we will have takoyaki made with octopus, some with just cheese, and some with cheese and pork.
- Time: 12-3pm
- Location: Rock Creek building 5, room 241
- Registration: Sign up to reserve your spot for the takoyaki party
Movie night: Totoro!
Join us to watch Totoro together via Zoom. Totoro is a Japanese animated fantasy film from 1988. The movie is about two sisters moving to a new house and while exploring the new area they meet forest spirits. During the movie, they are going to experience some wonderful adventures together. Registration is required.
- Time: 6-8pm
- Location: Zoom
- Registration: Sign up to reserve your spot for Totoro
On-demand learning
Stories from all over the world
Get to know PCC students, staff, and faculty by reading their stories (PDF) and connecting to their international experiences. Students at PCC are from all over the world and have many different backgrounds – learn more about them and feel the importance of intercultural connections from these stories, collected during International Education Week 2019 by International Peer Leader May von der Kammer.
PCC international student alumni panel
In spring 2020, International Student Ambassador Phuong Vo hosted a panel of former PCC international students (video). They discussed what it was like to come to the U.S. as an international student, shared about some of their challenges and achievements, and encouraged current students to keep working towards success.
Resources
Want to learn more about international education, international students, and global issues? Check out these great resources!
- Website: PCC Office of International Student Services
- Website: PCC Internationalization Initiative
- Website: PCC Education Abroad
- Website and social media: NAFSA (Association of International Educators) on NAFSA Facebook, NAFSA LinkedIn, and NAFSA Twitter
- Website: Institute of International Education (IIE)
- Website: Open Doors (produces reports on international students in the US)
- Website: US State Department IEW Page
- Article: First Female US Vice President Kamala Harris is a Child of International Students
- Article: International Students React to US Election Results
- Article: Oh, The Places You’ll Go! Risk, Uncertainty, and the Future of Global Education
- Article: International Students Can’t Vote, But the Stakes are Personal
- Article: The Diversity Conversation Colleges Aren’t Having
- Publication and articles: Anti-Blackness and Racism in International Higher Education, What Is the Role of Study Abroad in Advancing Antiracism in International Education?, and Black International Student Lives Matter in International Higher Education
- Report: The Role of Community Colleges in Global Workforce Development
- Newsletter: Latitude(s)