The Center for Global Learning (CGL) and the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support (CIES) held extended celebrations for International Education Week, including a Global Perspectives Panel and Photo Exhibition that brought individuals together to share their experiences.
The Global Perspectives Panel was held in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall on Wednesday, November 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The panel included students and faculty members such as Sebastian Zavala (‘25), Korpo M. Selay (‘26), Solvei Christopherson (‘25) and Professor of Religion Guy Nave, who shared their experiences studying abroad and how their global perspectives have shaped their campus commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
The panel explored different experiences of students and faculty and how their experiences made them who they are today. Nave shared details from his 23 years of experience at Luther College by highlighting the study abroad experiences he led.
Nave emphasized his recent connection with students in Nottingham, as well as the study abroad initiatives he has spearheaded. He has taught about 15 to 16 J-Terms abroad throughout the years, demonstrating his commitment to provide students with unique and intensive learning opportunities outside of the usual classroom setting.
In 2000, the United States Department of Education launched an initiative to celebrate education, emphasizing the active role of international education in forging global collaboration. The initiative emphasized recognizing different activities and acquiring deeper insights. At Luther, the Global Perspectives Panel and Photo Exhibition recalls this week’s history. This event served as a platform to reflect on past opportunities while looking ahead to future opportunities in the field of international education.
Selay is a Liberian international student and panelist who attended United World College Maastricht as an exchange high school student in 2020 and then enrolled at Luther College to pursue a degree in Global Health and Biology. At the panel, she talked about how she grew as a person while studying overseas.
“By studying abroad, I became very aware of my surroundings and people’s body language. I have a different view of the world now and I think about issues differently than the people from back home,” Selay said. “[Studying abroad] made me very comfortable with taking risks and being okay with making mistakes.”
The International Education Week also included a week-long Photo Exhibition in the Union Lobby, which ran from November 13 to November 18. It featured photos from the home of the international students and study-away experiences from international and domestic students. The exhibition consisted of eleven photos taken by students during their time studying abroad.
Alejandra Cruz, the Assistant Director of the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support, coordinated the photo entries. She explained the reasoning behind the creation of the event.
“The CGL and CIES wanted to provide students a space to show their experiences through artistic skills,” Cruz said. “There are many benefits to studying away and we hope that through the exhibition people get excited to explore these opportunities.”
More information about International Education Week can be found at iew.state.gov.