The annual celebration of International Education Week (IEW) begins on Nov. 13 and UST’s Office of International Services and Study Abroad (OISSA) is again producing a wonderful series of events to celebrate the cultural and academic bridges that connect UST to the world. Information about spring/summer UST study abroad will also be available. Launched in 2001 through a joint initiative by the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of State, the week is celebrated on university campuses throughout the country.

Ms. Dora Zhang, director of International Services & Study Abroad, summarizes the importance of IEW saying, “The essential mission of the OISSA is to promote international education and exchange.  Every year, we take the opportunity of IEW to celebrate the international student community that enriches our campus and to raise awareness of the great study abroad options for our students.”

Ms. Regine Gonzales, assistant director of International Services & Study Abroad, further notes, “This is a chance to celebrate and reflect on the impact of the diversity of UST’s campus and our larger Houston community.”

Taste of the World happens Nov. 13, from 12:50 – 2 p.m., in the Crooker Center Champion’s Lounge. This long-standing tradition provides dishes from around the world prepared from recipes provided by F-1 and J-1 international students. This year’s menu was expanded and collected in collaboration with the International Studies Society. Participants of Taste of the World can vote for their favorite dish, and the student who submitted the winning recipe will receive a gift card prize.

Geetika Moore, international student advisor, rejoices in bringing together local and international Celts through food.

Moore said, “International Education Week is an opportunity to broaden our cultural perspective by sharing with and learning from others. Taste of the World offers our international students the experience of sharing a delicious piece of their ‘home’ with our UST community. In turn, the community gets to taste international foods and embrace various cultures.”

Czech It Out! Czech-Tex History & Kolaches takes place Nov. 14, from 12:50 – 2 p.m., in the OISSA office in Crooker Center #214.  Kolaches have become a cherished breakfast item in Houston, but have you ever wondered how the kolache and the Czech heritage became deeply ingrained in Texas culture? We invite students to learn more about Czech immigration to Texas, while snacking on a variety of traditional Czech kolaches, and klobasnek (the Czech name for what looks more like pigs in a blanket).

Study Abroad Snack Fest on November 15 from 12:50 – 2:00 p.m. will be held in the Champion’s Lounge in Crooker Center.  There, the UST community can meet with faculty leaders and current exchange students to learn about upcoming study abroad opportunities. Participants will also have the chance to taste some of our favorite international snacks from the represented countries.

UST Study Abroad Advisor Ms. Andrea Pineda encourages Celts from all majors to stop by and learn more about options for faculty-led and individual study abroad. 

“This event, is another fun way to celebrate our international students’ backgrounds and encourage students to partake on their own study abroad journeys,” Pineda said.

Sponsored by the Student Government Association, World International Student Day will be celebrated on November 16, from 12:50 – 2 p.m., on Crooker Patio.  The event will celebrate cultural diversity and unity within our Celt community. Through interaction and sharing, students seek to foster better awareness and appreciation for the myriad of cultures represented on our campus.

“Global Greater Things can begin right here on campus,” said Dr. Hans Stockton, associate vice president of International Relations & Engagement. “We are blessed to be on such a diverse campus in the most diverse city in the United States. Global relationships can begin so much closer to home than we think and lead to friendships that last a lifetime.”