LMU celebrates International Education Week, promoted by the U.S. Departments of State and Education, during the week of Nov. 14-18, 2022. Student Affairs and Academic Affairs have partnered with multiple groups across campus including Global-Local Affairs (GLA), the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS), the Office of National and International Fellowships (ONIF), and Study Abroad (SA) to host a week of events that celebrate how global initiatives and international exchange strengthen the campus community.
This year’s events highlight opportunities for students to learn about global initiatives, celebrate the international student community, and how LMU’s dedication to internationalization furthers efforts to build a vibrant campus community. “International Education Week is an opportunity to recognize the rich diversity of our student, faculty, and staff populations while encouraging the exploration of new learning pathways, at home or abroad,” said Roberta Espinoza, Ph.D., vice provost for global-local affairs. “It is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the myriad ways our campus community engages with the world through learning, partnership, and scholarship.”
Some of the featured events include two fairs for students to learn about global opportunities and connect with student organizations, the Global Abroad Fair and the International Education Fair during Wellness Wednesday, and a panel discussion with students, scholars, and administrators who will discuss what they have gained from their international exchange experiences.
International Education Week also offers students the opportunity to experience LMU’s globalization efforts in a focused and tangible way. “From amplifying the contributions of our international students, showcasing the work of our visiting international scholars, to promoting opportunities that allow students to experience the world beyond our borders,” said Csilla Samay, assistant dean for International Students and Initiatives, OISS. “We celebrate the wonderful work being done by OISS to support our international student community and many others across campus who help bring the global community closer to LMU.” Currently the international student community at LMU makes up 10.2% of the student population, coming from 90 countries across the globe.
Meet two current international graduate students who are making an impact on the LMU campus community.
Krushan Naik ‘22
Major: Editing
Home Country: India
Krushan Naik ‘22, an SFTV graduate student majoring in editing, came to LMU in 2019 from India to pursue his lifelong goal of becoming a filmmaker. Now, as an international student getting ready to graduate in December, he’s found success through global education by learning both the art of filmmaking and American culture. Naik’s latest film, “Resurgence,” has premiered at multiple film festivals, including the Oscar®/Academy Award® qualifying St. Louis International Film Festival.
Naik describes his experience at LMU as outstanding and credits that success to the support from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) and the professors and administrative staff in SFTV. “All of these people were crucial to my success here, both as a filmmaker and an international student, and they always supported me in all the things I wanted to do,” said Naik. “When things got challenging, and I wasn’t sure if I could keep going, their support got me through it and helped me get to where I am today.”
Naik’s move to Utah did not come without its challenges, though. He had never experienced living in climates other than L.A. and India. “Utah is very cold, and the older home I was living in did not have heat,” said Naik. “It was so cold that I would wear an overcoat and gloves while cooking in the kitchen. Sometimes the snow felt endless, and because I didn’t have a car, I was stuck in my home, which was so quiet that I could hear my own heartbeat. I remember looking out of my kitchen window, and everything from the homes to the trees to the sky would be one color: white. At times, for weeks, I would not see people or animals on the streets outside my home or even birds flying, and it made me feel like I was the only person in what felt like this post-apocalyptic world. And spending that much time, that’s when I fell into a personal crisis, and that was one of the first times I started questioning my existence. But my friends were the reason I survived in Utah.” Read Naik’s full story here.
Yi-Hua Shih ‘23
Fulbright Scholar
Home Country: Taiwan
Since she was young, being a Chinese teacher has been Yi-Hua Shih’s dream. Now, as a Fulbright Scholar from Taiwan, her dream is being realized through a global education lens as she takes courses at LMU and works as a teaching assistant in the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, where she works with students in 13-14 drill sessions per week to learn Chinese.
Shih majored in Chinese literature for her undergraduate degree and minored in Japanese, where she completed two programs, including teaching Chinese as a second language program and an education program for secondary school teachers. To extend her education, she continued her study of Chinese literature into her graduate work by attending National Cheng Chi University, where she completed a dissertation about Chinese lexicology, focusing on how vocabulary develops and transforms.
Shih has enjoyed learning from and working with LMU students on practicing the Chinese language. Most of the time, the drill sessions are for students to practice speaking Chinese, but sometimes it also includes studying the written language because students are required to memorize all Chinese characters. “I always enjoy my interactions with LMU students, and I find them very intelligent and diligent about their coursework,” said Shih. “Whether I’m talking with them or teaching them Chinese during the drill sessions, I feel very proud of them and the impact I am getting to make by teaching.” Read Shih’s fully story here.
Join GLA, OISS, ONIF and SA in celebrating IEW with the events below. View the full list of events here.
Monday, Nov. 14, Alumni Mall, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Study Abroad Global Learning Expo: LMU Opportunities Abroad
LMU opportunities Abroad this fall to celebrate the beginning of International Education Week. The Global Learning Expo will showcase LMU’s semester and summer study abroad opportunities along with international experience opportunities and resources offered campus wide.
Monday, Nov. 14, The Hill (Malone 4th Floor), 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
OISS International Community Friendsgiving Dinner
All international students are invited by OISS to be in community with one another at our annual Friendsgiving Dinner. RSVP as there is limited space.
Tuesday, Nov. 15, University Hall 1857, 1-2 p.m.
ONIF Fulbright U.S. Student Program Introductory Session
In celebration of International Education Week 2022, join ONIF to learn more about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, which offers fully-funded research, graduate study, and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students with U.S. citizenship.
During their grants, Fulbrighters will meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences. The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs, the way they do things, and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, individuals interact with their hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.
Wednesday Nov. 16, St. Robert’s Grass, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
OISS International Education Fair at Wellness Wednesday
Join OISS in celebrating International Education Week (IEW) by attending our International Education Fair! There will be various on-campus groups, departments, and student organizations attending; this is a great opportunity to learn about and become involved in international education opportunities at LMU.
Participate in our event for the chance to win Wellness Wednesday bucks or OISS merchandise.
Thursday Nov. 17, Malone 201, 10-11 a.m.
APSS Coffee, Cake, and Chats: Asian Pacific Islander Student/Staff/Faculty Mixer
We will have an assortment of pastries and coffee, so please join us and mingle. This is a great chance to meet our new APSS Director Min Jung Kim, programming assistants, Erin Yang and Claire Shin, as well as our wonderful API students, faculty, and staff.
Thursday Nov. 17, Online, | 12:30-1 p.m.
ONIF Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship Webinar
In celebration of International Education Week 2022, join ONIF and FAIT staff to learn more about this exciting scholarship and career opportunity. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship Program (FAIT) provides outstanding sophomores and graduating seniors pursuing IT-related degrees with a challenging and rewarding opportunity to apply technology solutions to the business of diplomacy.
In this 30-minute virtual info session, you’ll get details about the benefits of the program, the application and selection process, the timeline of the fellowship, eligibility requirements, and more. Then you’ll get a chance to ask questions during the live Q&A session. First-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors pursuing (or interested in pursuing) IT-related careers are encouraged to attend.
Thursday Nov. 17, Von der Ahe Family Suite (Library Third Floor) 3-4:30 p.m.
OISS, ONIF, Global-Local Affairs: The Power of International Exchange Panel
International Education takes many forms – please join this panel discussion with students, scholars, and administrators highlighting what they have gained from their international exchange experiences.
Thursday Nov. 17, Online, 5-6:30 p.m.
CBA and Study Abroad: Living the Dream as a Digital Nomad: Reflections on My Journey
The Center for International Business Education and Study Abroad presents a panel webinar in celebration of International Education Week. Panelists will reflect on their international journeys, sharing lessons learned, as well as tips and strategies to help students better prepare for their international careers.
- Rosalyn Vargas ’08, Talent Development Manager, DISQO
- Max Banton ’20, Content Creator, Max Takes On The World
- Steve Tsentserensky, Contributor, World Nomads
- Ellen Ensher, Management Faculty, LMU (moderator)
Thursday Nov. 17, McIntosh Center (University Hall 3999), 6-7:15 p.m.
Modern Languages: An Ethnographer’s Guide to Making Korean Kimchi in China
Thursday Nov. 17, Hilton 100, 7 p.m.
Arab Student Association: How to Succeed at LMU
Arab Student Association (ASA) invites you to join us for a workshop with alumni and student leaders on tips to succeed as Arab students
