Bridging Cultures, Building Community: IEW Highlights and Reflections

Since its inception in 2000, higher education and international education institutions have celebrated the benefits of international education every November. Through various events and activities, International Education Week (IEW) highlights the importance of international education and exchange programs, which are vital for preparing students for a globalized world.

At Seton Hall, we proudly celebrated IEW last week as part of our ongoing commitment to preparing all students domestic and international to engage, learn and grow alongside one another in fulfillment of our Catholic mission. The events held throughout the week were the result of collaborative efforts among offices on campus. Our staff strongly believes in the value of bringing students together and creating meaningful opportunities to build intercultural competence through engaging and enjoyable activities.

To kick off the week, the Office of International Programs (OIP) and the Career Center hosted “Coffee and Tea with the Career Center,” offering tips on interviewing and résumé building, as well as answering students’ questions. Career Center resources were also shared. Students brought thoughtful inquiries regarding internship timelines and strategies for responding to specific interview questions. Later that evening, International Game Night was held in the Office of Campus Inclusion’s cozy University Center space, where OIP staff created Kahoot games that gave students an educational and fun way to learn about flags, foods and celebrities from around the world.

Food is an essential part of cultural celebration and often brings people together regardless of background. With this in mind, OIP Study Abroad partnered with Residence Life RAs to host “Passport to Empanadas,” an event designed to introduce students to study abroad opportunities at Seton Hall. The event was extremely popular empanadas disappeared quickly! On the graduate student side, international graduate students attended the International Graduate Student Social hosted by the Office of Graduate Affairs. Over light refreshments, students engaged in meaningful conversations about their experiences at Seton Hall and in the U.S. The journeys and visa hurdles our international students navigate to begin their studies here truly underscore why we celebrate IEW. 

A highlight of the week was “Taste of Friendsgiving,” hosted in the OIP office. Students gathered with friends to enjoy an early Thanksgiving meal provided by OIP at Jubilee 231, while A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving played softly in the background. Approximately 100 students both U.S. and international, throughout the span of two hours stopped by Jubilee Hall for a much-needed midday break from classes and studies.

IEW concluded on a high note as students attended the Women’s Basketball game against Fordham University at Walsh Gymnasium, an event co-hosted by OIP and the Buccino Leadership Institute. For some students, it was their first time attending a Seton Hall sports game, and it was especially exciting to cheer for one of our international players, Mariana Valenzuela from Mexico. The game went into double overtime, with Seton Hall securing the win in a thrilling end to both the night and to this year’s IEW in addition to the Men’s Soccer win earlier that day.

Go Pirates!

Categories: Athletics, Campus Life