MONTICELLO, Ark. — The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) will host daily events from November 17-21 as part of International Education Week.
On Thursday, November 20, the International Office, located in the Office of Admissions at UAM, will feature an international student display and meet and greet event with the university’s international students.
Many international students will participate, building displays and sharing their experiences and cultures with faculty, staff and student attendees. Their displays will be available to view on November 20 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in Room 102 in the Student Success Center. The event is open to the public.
UAM is home to 39 international students from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Spain, Sweden and Thailand.
Mary Whiting, director of Admissions and Recruiting at UAM, encouraged the public to attend the meet and greet event on November 20, stating, “International students are a real asset to UAM. Everyone learns from different cultures. We hope that residents of Monticello and the surrounding communities will attend the meet and greet event and hear these students share their stories and cultures.”
Whiting has managed the International Office for two decades. The office oversees the International Club, which allows students from different parts of the world to unite to learn about cultures and build community. The club’s purpose is to help international students transition into their new environment through interactions with students, faculty and staff. “International students receive needed help both through the university and the community. It’s such a pleasure to work with them,” Whiting said.
To celebrate International Education Week, each day, Monday through Friday, UAM Dining Services will serve cuisine representing a different country. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the UAM Dining Hall in the Gibson University Center, which is open to the public.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, “International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and to attract future leaders from abroad to study in the United States.”
For more information, contact Mary Whiting at whitingm@uamont.edu or 870-460-1026.
