IEW 2024

The Many Faces of Elon: On Campus and Beyond

In honor of International Education Week (IEW), a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, Elon University is proud to celebrate the university’s long and deep commitment to cultivating an environment in which students gain exposure to a broader, interconnected world. In 2024, Elon will observe IEW from September 16 to 20, around the theme of “The Many Faces of Elon: On Campus & Beyond”. This theme is designed to showcase and highlight the diverse communities that exist on campus, in the surrounding area, and further afield, including those that have been historically minoritized or less visible. This focus expands our concept of global education, recognizing that learning is a continual process that transcends borders and occurs in our everyday interactions, including within our local community. It also stems from Elon’s commitment to fostering openness and willingness to learn with and from others, essential elements of a comprehensive global education.

All Week

Faces of Alamance County Storywalk: Visualizing the Diverse Communities Beyond our Campus
In honor of IEW 2024, the Power+Place Collaborative is proud to celebrate this storywalk, featuring stories of local community members who have made a difference. Diverse exhibits can be found in Belk Library, Koury Center Concourse, the Truitt Center, and the Elon Town Center. Co-sponsored by the Center for Design Thinking and the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center.

Sunday, September 15

Local Friends Dinner, GBL 301, 5:30-7 pm – CANCELED
Local Friends is a community of Burlington and Elon residents who enjoy welcoming and befriending Elon’s international students and helping them feel at home. Many students have long-lasting relationships with members of the Local Friends community and fun memories of shared holiday meals, local outings, and other opportunities to connect. Join Local Friends and the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center for a pot-luck dinner.

Sundaes on Sunday, Global Commons, 7 pm
Join Global Neighborhood Faculty Director Dr. Marshall and his family for ice cream, games, conversation, and community-building.

Monday, September 16

International Soccer Tournament, South Campus Gym, 6:30-10 pm
This friendly 5v5 soccer tournament is open to all students, faculty, and staff. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking for some fun, this event is a great way to celebrate global diversity and make new friends on the field. Register on Elon’s Fusion Play app. Co-sponsored by Campus Recreation and the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center.

Tuesday, September 17th

Hispanic Heritage Month Themed College Coffee, Phi Beta Kappa Commons, 9:40-10:20 am
Enjoy traditional Hispanic pastries like conchas, buñelos, and pastelitos de guayaba, courtesy of Elon Dining, as part of Elon’s College Coffee.

Polyglot Lunch, Lakeside Dining, 11:45 am-12:45 pm
Join Elon’s language learners/speakers for lunch and practice conversational skills in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. All languages and learning levels welcome!

Goûter Francophone, Carlton Commons, 4:15 pm
Please join us for the kickoff event for Elon’s French-speaking community, There will be snacks, drinks, and French conversation. ALL levels of French-speaking students, faculty, and staff are warmly welcome.

Global Film Series: Cooked: Survival by Zip Code, Global Commons 103/Media Room, 7-9 pm
Examining issues of environmental justice and racial and economic inequality, Cooked: Survival by Zip Code touches on themes from the book The Intersectional Environmentalist, and connects global climate change and U.S. urban planning. Morgan Williams, a student who has designed a board game based on the book featured in the film, will serves as a discussant.

Wednesday, September 18th

Drop-In Hours with Teaching and Learning Technologies in Belk Library 115A, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Stop by Teaching and Learning Technologies to meet the staff, ask questions, and spin the prize wheel!

Spaghetti Ice Cream Making (German), El Centro Kitchen, Carlton, 4-5 pm
Join the German Club and learn all about Spaghetti Ice Cream, a delicious blend of cultures and cuisines. We’ll also make (and eat!) this yummy dessert!

Dinner and a Book, Moseley 215, 5:30-7 p.m.
This event highlights a collaboration between the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and local community organizations through the Welcome New Neighbor program, by bringing refugee-background families and Elon students, faculty, and staff together over a meal and reading a picture book by Dean Ann Bullock. Co-sponsored by the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and Isabella Cannon Global Education Center.

Global Vision Song Contest: Fall Edition, Irazú Coffee, Moseley Center, 6 pm
A karaoke/song contest in languages other than English, in collaboration with the Global Neighborhood. Co-sponsored by the Department of World Languages and Global Neighborhood.

Active Citizen Series: Bridging Political Divides with Artificial Intelligence, McKinnon Hall F, Moseley Center, 7 p.m.
In an era of increasing social isolation, platforms like Facebook and Twitter are among the most important tools we have to understand each other. While social media acts as a mirror to decipher our place in society, it also functions like a prism that distorts our identities, empowers status-seeking extremists and renders moderates all but invisible. Wherever you stand on the spectrum of user behavior and political opinion, Christopher Bail offers fresh solutions to counter political tribalism from the bottom up and the top down. Bail is Professor of Sociology, Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University and the Founding Director of the Duke Polarization Lab. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and a Carnegie Fellow and is the author of Breaking the Social Media Prism: How to Make Our Platforms Less Polarizing. Sponsored by the Council on Civic Engagement, Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Center for Writing Excellence, and Isabella Cannon Global Education Center.

Jarabe Mexicano, McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts, 7:30 pm
Jarabe Mexicano captures the nostalgic spirit of their border roots with their brand of “Bordeño-Soul,” which honors the musical tastes and cultural influences of its members. Jarabe, which translates to “concoction,” highlights the eclectic mix of genres they perform ranging from Mexican folk, rock & roll, and Norteño/Tex-Mex to Latin Rock, Trio Ramántico and popular Cumbia. Their traditional Mariachi string instruments and Norteño-inspired drums complement dramatic vocals in English, Spanish and Spanglish, and show how this multi-generational ensemble embraces change while still honoring the past. Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets will be available August 27 at www.Elontickets.com.

Thursday, September 19th

International Coffee Hour, Numen Lumen Pavilion, Truitt Center, 9:50-10:20 am
Stop by the International Coffee Hour, this week hosted at Numen Lumen, in coordination with the A Thursday Inspiration series. Co-sponsored by the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center and the Truitt Center.

Study Away Fair, McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, 11 am-3 pm
Interested in learning more about study abroad and Study USA? Stop by Elon’s Study Away Fair to learn more about the many study away options available to Elon students, with representatives from program providers and partner universities. Open to all.

Dear World, Connecting through Mail, East Commons 102, 4-6 pm
Missing friends and family, in the U.S. or abroad? Want to share more about your home culture with others? This informal gathering will provide an opportunity to meet others and send postcards to loved ones, no matter how far they may be. Postcards will be provided.

Evviva a Ccu’ Balla! Tarantella Workshop, McKinnon E & F, Moseley Center, 5-6:30 pm
After a brief historical and musical overview of the southern-Italian Tarantella, participants will learn two traditional variations of the dance. Participants will be immersed in live, traditional music performed by Michela Musolino and Lorenzo Piccone. Although they have ancient roots, these dances are still popular in Italy and are danced by all ages today at events and celebrations. The artists will talk about their dance in terms of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, especially regarding the diversity that Italy and Italians provide to our community and our students. The workshop is open to all levels, from beginners to experienced dancers. This event is made possible by the generous support of the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center, the Department of World Languages and Cultures, the Department of Dance, the Department of History and Geography, the Department of Music, and the Italian Studies Interdisciplinary Minor. Light refreshments will be provided.

Friday, September 20th

Mid-Autumn Festival, Numen Lumen Pavilion, Truitt Center, 6-8 pm
The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, is one of the most significant traditional holidays officially recognized in China. This festival symbolizes harvest and reunion. Join Elon’s Chinese Club in partnership with the Asian-Pacific Student Association (ASPA) for a celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The event will feature Chinese food, mooncakes, tea, calligraphy, and games.