International Education Week

IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.

Celebrate With Us!

Join UNO's International Programs as we celebrate International Education Week (IEW) once again this November. Events throughout the week highlight UNO's global community and a variety of ways to experience international education in Omaha.

View the schedule of events

“Eyes on the World” Photo Contest

Are you a UNO student, staff or faculty member who has been abroad?

Do you have international friends or are you an international student?

Do you have some great photos of your experiences that you are proud of? Here is your opportunity to share them!

International Education Week’s “Eyes on the World” Photo Contest is here! We are taking submissions for photographs in the following categories:

• Experiencing New Traditions
• Wearing Your Traditional/Cultural Clothing
• Connecting with International Friends
• Famous Places

Complete the Google form that will allow you to submit your photographs. Feel free to submit to more than one category if you would like!

We will be accepting submissions until November 6 at 12 P.M. Central time. Voting will take place November 6 through the 11 via an online form as well as in-person voting at tabling events throughout the week.

The winners will be announced during International Education Week at the Café Internationale event on November 14 and winners will receive prizes!

If you have any questions about the contest, feel free to email us at unostudyabroad@unomaha.edu or stop by our office in 241 ASH.

We look forward to seeing your submissions!

Service Project: Serving Locally, Impact Globally

In the spirit of IEW, UNO International Programs is coordinating a Food Drive to collect donations for the UNO Maverick Food Pantry, a resource used by all UNO students, staff, and faculty.

The pantry helps the UNO community in times of need with quality food and personal hygiene products. IEW coincides with National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, a time to bring light to hunger and homeless issues locally and globally and support our community struggling to meet their basic needs.

UNO International Programs will be collecting donations from the entire UNO community all week long. Here is a list of items recommended for donation. Any donations outside of this list will be given to other nonprofit organizations in the Omaha community.

If you would like to donate, please drop off goods at any of the planned events or send us an email at world@unomaha.edu to pick up donations from your office on Dodge/Scott campus.

Scott Cafe Specials for IEW

Monday Lunch: Lo Mein, Korean meatballs, orange chicken, white rice and steamed edamame

Tuesday Lunch: Mediterranean quinoa & curried chicken

Friday Lunch: Sweet potato hash, cilantro lime rice & chicken pozole

Schedule

Monday, November 13

Education Abroad: Table in Milo Bail Student Center Atrium | 9:30 - 11:30 A.M.

Come chat with representatives from UNO Education Abroad and learn more about how you can study abroad or study away during your undergraduate or graduate degree.

Tuesday, November 14

Afghanistan’s Heritage: Restored Spirit and Stone Photo Exhibition by Robert Nickelsberg in Milo Bail Student Center Atrium | 9 A.M. - 4 P.M.

For most people, Afghanistan is a place we hear a lot about on the news but will never be able to personally experience. But photojournalist Robert Nickelsberg serves as the public’s eyes, as he has spent more than 30 years photographing the country. Nickelsberg has documented decades of violent war and its devastating effects in an up close and personal way. But his most recent project on the country shows the resilient spirit of Afghans and how their heritage weaves throughout daily life.

In 2016, Nickelsberg worked with the U.S. Department of State’s Cultural Heritage Program to create Afghanistan’s Heritage: Restored Spirit and Stone, a photographical and governmental record of preservation projects the US has funded.

Robert Nickelsberg is an award-winning photojournalist. Follow him on Instagram.

Café International: Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom | 2 - 4 P.M.

Please join us for our signature event of International Education Week. Enjoy international appetizers and learning about other countries and cultures. Lots of fun and intercultural exchanges waiting to happen! The winners of the Eyes on the World Photo Contest will be announced.

In honor of International Education Week, we encourage all international students and international faculty/staff to wear clothing and accessories from their home country to class/work at UNO on Wednesday, November 16.

Students: Register to represent your country and culture.

This event will also include the donation collection, mentioned in the service project above.

Global Marketplace: Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom | 2 P.M. - 4 P.M.

Charming internationally-inspired gifts for sale. Proceeds and donations support UNO's International Student Emergency Loan Fund.

Wednesday, November 15

Món Quà Gifts of Opportunity: Mammel Hall Atrium | 10 A.M. - 2 P.M. 

Shop for a Cause: Help to Overcome Poverty. Shop fairtrade microenterprise Món Quà Gifts.  Help send children to school and provide economic security for the future. Món Quà Gifts expands economic opportunities for ethnic minority groups in Vietnam while preserving traditional handcraft skills. 

100% hemp hand-made products from Vietnam for sale by UNO’s Students for Microenterprise Development.

Annual Gildersleeve Know-Your-World Lecture in Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC) Room 116 | Noon - 1 P.M.

A university is filled with people who believe in ideals. Once every generation or so, a teacher steps on stage who not only personifies the ideal concept of teacher but also raises the bar on what we imagined possible. That one individual impacts generation upon generation by inspiring the new ideal. Charles Gildersleeve was one such educator. He began his career at UNO on September 1, 1964.

Charles (Charlie/Chuck) was one of the founding faculty members of the International Studies Major and a professor of Geography at UNO. He always made himself available to help students with study-abroad independent studies courses and gave permission for students who were registering late to enroll in his already overly full classes. His guest lecture each semester in the International Studies intro course was a highlight for all students.

He took it upon himself to make international students feel at home in class and on campus with his inimitable warmth and wonderful sense of humor. In memory of his contributions to International Studies Majors and to international students at UNO, since 2009, UNO International Programs has presented the Charles Gildersleeve "Know-Your-World" Lecture each year during International Education Week.

This year’s presentation will showcase a panel presentation by speakers from the Omaha Sister Cities Association (OSCA), an INPR and CEC non-profit partner. The panel will discuss OSCA’s past and present collaboration with various UNO programs and discuss Omaha’s newest friendship city, Carlentini, Italy.

We are positive Charlie would be pleased to know our students are traveling and learning in so many different locations around the globe. Light appetizers will be available for those who attend.

Thursday, November 16

Global Marketplace: Milo Bail Student Center Atrium | 10 A.M. - 2 P.M.

Charming internationally-inspired gifts for sale. Proceeds and donations support UNO's International Student Emergency Loan Fund.

Friday, November 17

Education Abroad: Spring 2024 Pre-Departure Orientation: 164 PKI | 9 - 11 A.M.

This pre-departure orientation is designed to help Mavericks prepare for their time abroad. Students who are studying abroad in Spring 2024 will have the opportunity for Q&A with UNO Education Abroad staff and with recent study abroad alumni, who will share their tips and tricks for a successful experience abroad.

English Conversation & Culture Hour: 241 ASH Computer Lab | 1 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.

Hang out with cool people and make new friends! A fun time of conversation, games, and meeting people from all over the world. Everyone is welcome.

Our activity this week will be a Japanese card game called Millionaire (Daifugo). You must sign up to join. Come by the International Programs office to sign up or email LindsaySanders@unomaha.edu to join!

Navigating the Path to H-1B Visa Status and Permanent Residence: Pizza and Presentation in Milo Bail Student Center Third Floor, Omaha Room (304) | 1 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.

Steven Daubendiek, visa/immigration specialist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, will be providing information about the H-1B visa process that may benefit both international students and employers. Following OPT and/or STEM OPT, some international students may become eligible to acquire H-1B visas. This presentation will help students learn about this opportunity. The discussion will center around:

• Becoming a strong H-1B candidate
• What to ask your future employer
• Does your future job have specific requirements? 
• The OPT transition
• The H-1B application process
• From H-1B to permanent residence

View the complete IEW event listing

Check back in for updates and additional events!