11/16/07
Three years ago Cindy Novelo, director of study abroad, international and disability services, envisioned International Education Week combining the many different cultures on Baker’s campus into a week long celebration.
This year, Novelo’s vision finally came true.
“My hope has always been to get all the different groups on campus to come together,” she said. “I’m really excited that it’s happening and that a lot of students are participating.”
View a slideshow of photos from the week's events<a href="http://www.bakeru.edu/orangeline/0708slideshows/genocide" target="_blank">View a slideshow of photos from the week's events</a> View a slideshow of photos from the week’s events
Throughout the week, Novelo planned activities focusing on this year’s theme, Poverty: A Global Perspective.
“I think it’s important for Americans to know about the rest of the world because we’re such a powerful country,” she said.
Some of the events throughout the week included the People to People Sale, a showing of the film “Invisible Children” and an international forum. The week kicked off Monday with the Global Awareness Fair that featured tables by Mungano, French Club, World Information and Response Effort, as well as other student organizations. Study abroad representatives and international and heritage students were also present.
Sophomore Luke Haidarovic, who is from the United Kingdom, said he went to the fair to meet and spend time with other international students.
“This week is important because it helps us make ties with people here,” he said.
Haidarovic is not the only international student who feels this way.
Junior Al Watts, who hails from Trinidad and Tobago, said he attended the events because he wants to teach American students about other nations.
“I want the campus to know about different cultures,” he said. “And to better understand our countries.”
International students were not the only Baker students to attend the events though.
Sophomore Amanda Wahlmeier said she went to the fair to take advantage of the study abroad tables.
“It expands our horizons,” she said about studying abroad. “I found out information (at the fair) I probably would not have otherwise known about.”
The Global Awareness Fair was just one of the many events planned for the week though.
The second event, Brewsday Tuesday, took place on the third floor of Collins Library, where students could taste a variety of international treats while listening to a presentation about SCOLA, an international television program transmission.
Sophomore Di-Tu Dissassa, who is half Ethiopian, said she wishes more students came to the events.
“People are ignorant and need to learn more about other people’s cultures,” she said. “People really need to not just listen to stereotypes.”
No matter what students’ reasons for supporting International Education Week, Novelo said participation is important.
“College students will be in position of power soon,” she said. “I think it’s really important for them to come out and learn about the rest of the world.”