History Corner: In 2010, International Education Week dazzled students and community
Photos and story by James Hill
International Education Week has been going on at Portland Community College since 2002.
In November 2010, PCC’s “hidden gem” stepped into the spotlight as the eighth annual event filled all four major campuses with fashion, culture, and conversation. Powered by staff and students from the growing International Education Program—then home to 700 students representing 90 countries—the week blended celebration with learning and invited the public to join.
Festivities featured the lively “Polynesian Revue” at Cascade and a spirited “Sylvania’s Got International Talent” showcase. At Southeast, political science instructor and Fulbright Scholar Michael Sonnleitner examined “Asian Giants,” exploring prospects for conflict and cooperation between India and China. Rock Creek hosted two crowd favorites: the “International Fashion Show,” where students modeled traditional attire from around the world, and the “International Celebration Dinner,” a community feast of Mediterranean, Asian, and Latin American dishes accompanied by performers.
Fifteen years later, PCC continues to celebrate its international students and their impact on the community. For more on 2025’s festivities, visit the International Education Week webpage.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »