FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009
Contact: Dr. Nancy Person, Director, International Students and Scholars Program, 304-696-7250; fax: 304-696-6353; e-mail: carnes2@marshall.edu
 

2009 International Festival kicks off International Education Week

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University kicks off International Education Week Sunday, Nov. 15 with the 46th annual International Festival. The festival will take place in the Don Morris Room of the Memorial Student Center on MU’s Huntington campus.

International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State to promote international awareness and international education skills.

The theme of this year’s International festival, which takes place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., is “Living in a Global Society,” which emphasizes the pressing need for universities in the United States to prepare their students to live and work in a globalized world. The International Festival features exotic foods, traditional music and dance, along with displays representing more than 60 countries and cultures. All of this will be provided by Marshall University international students and international community individuals and groups. Admission to the International Festival is free and it is open to the public.

In addition to the International Festival, other events to take place during International Education Week include the Festival of Flags and the Study Abroad Expo.

The Annual Festival of Flags takes place throughout November in the lobby of the Memorial Student Center, the Drinko Library and other buildings throughout campus.  It features a spectacular display of flags from all of the countries where Marshall University draws international students or sends students to study abroad.  This semester’s festival features flags from more than 60 countries and regions of the world.

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, Marshall will host the 6th annual MU Study Abroad Expo in the lobby of the student center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 20 study abroad providers are expected to take part in the fair. MU students and faculty will have the opportunity to discuss the programs directly with the providers, apply for a passport, and get assistance with immunizations.   Study abroad scholarships and other prizes will be given away at the fair.

Dr. Clark M. Egnor, executive director of Marshall’s Center for International Programs, said the International Education Week events are the perfect opportunity for students, faculty, staff and members of the community to enjoy the international diversity and global opportunities found on the Marshall campus and in the surrounding community.

Dr. Nancy Person, Director of Marshall’s Office of International Students and Scholars, said the International Festival provides an opportunity for Marshall’s international students to share their cultures and customs with others, thereby utilizing Marshall’s valuable international diversity to promote a global awareness in the community.

Kylie Gallagher, Marshall’s Executive Study Abroad Advisor, said it is a wonderful opportunity for Marshall students to receive information on destinations where they can study abroad. Allowing the students to study internationally gives them the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in order to become more globalized citizens, Gallagher said.

Currently, Marshall has 478 international students from 60 countries, a 6 percent increase over Fall semester 2008.  The university also sends about 150 students each year to study abroad. Marshall students can choose from more than 125 sites in 40 countries to study for a summer, semester or year at approximately the same cost as studying at home.

For further details about the International Festival and International Education Week activities, contact the Center for International Programs at 304-696-7250, cip@marshall.edu, or visit the Marshall University Center for International Programs office in Old Main 320.

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