About

CSN student Hazuki

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts 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.

International Education Week began in 2000 and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the U.S. Department of Education. This important week is observed all across the United States and in more than 100 countries overseas. IEW is celebrated in November each year during the week before the American holiday of Thanksgiving.

IEW is an opportunity for exchange students worldwide to share with their host communities their cultures and highlight the benefits of international educational exchange programs.

The worldwide celebration of IEW offers a unique opportunity to reach out to people in every nation, to develop a broader understanding of world cultures and languages, and to reiterate the conviction that enduring friendships and partnerships created through international education and exchange are important for a secure future for all countries. You can make a difference by sharing with others your culture – your history, government, language, food, holidays, school system and traditions.

Your Involvement

Ideas for Faculty and Students

Share your country and culture with others by giving presentations to:

• Your classmates (history, government, social studies, political science, language classes, school clubs, etc.)

• Elementary, middle, or high schools

• Local community organizations

• Senior citizens

• Neighborhood associations

• Places of worship

Some background on IEW to share during your presentation:
International Education Week began in 2000 and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the U.S. Department of Education. This important week is observed all across the United States and in more than 100 countries overseas. IEW is celebrated in November each year during the week before the American holiday of Thanksgiving.

IEW is an opportunity for exchange students worldwide to share with their host communities their cultures and highlight the benefits of international educational exchange programs.

The worldwide celebration of IEW offers a unique opportunity to reach out to people in every nation, to develop a broader understanding of world cultures and languages, and to reiterate the conviction that enduring friendships and partnerships created through international education and exchange are important for a secure future for all countries. You can make a difference by sharing with others your culture – your history, government, language, food, holidays, school system and traditions.

Visuals can help your presentation:

• Show photos of your country, friends and family

• Bring a map or your national flag, or make a poster with facts about your country

• Share your favorite recipes or foods

• Read your favorite story or recite a national poem

• Play your national anthem or song

• Prepare a video or PowerPoint presentation about your country or city

Your presentation might include some of the following examples…

An Introduction.

• Introduce yourself in either your native language or another foreign language and in English.

• Give your name, your home country, and share a little bit about your experience as an exchange student.

A story about your home country.

• A day in the life of a typical teenager in your home (or host) country.

• What school is like in your home country.

• What it is like to live with your host family – describe a day in the life.

• Describe a holiday celebration in your home country and its importance.

• Describe a funny experience you had on your exchange – in school, with friends, with your host family.

• Describe the strangest thing you have learned about your host country.

• Describe the biggest difference you see between your home and your host country.

• Describe how your exchange experience has impacted you, your host family and your own family. Did you change at all? Has it shaped your plans and goals for the future?

A focus on a certain topic(s)

Government: Explain how your government functions. Discuss the similarities and differences between your government and the U.S. government.

History: Tell about your nation’s history.

Culture: Discuss the different types of food, music, dances, traditions, etc. in your country. Bring in food samples, demonstrate dances/songs, or play traditional music from your country.

Language: Teach students a few simple phrases in your native language.

Important Social/Political/Religious Issues: Talk about some of the specific things that people in your country are interested in or concerned about. You can discuss family trends, economic issues, social/environmental problems, importance of religion, political changes, etc.

Special thanks to the Center for Cultural Interchange, Council on International Educational Exchange and Youth For Understanding USA for providing some of these guidelines.