Penn State Berks students enjoyed a mix of traditional Thanksgiving dishes and international flavors, making this year's Friendsgiving event a truly global feast.
WYOMISSING, Pa. — The Penn State Berks Office of International Student Services, in collaboration with the DEIB Committee, Student Affairs, Global Studies, Career Services and Thun Library at Penn State Berks celebrated International Education Week from Nov. 18 to 22, 2024. This year’s theme was "Friends Across the Globe." There were events for students, faculty, and staff that celebrated education abroad, global studies, international students, cultural traditions and Friendsgiving.
On Nov. 18, students were invited to stop by the Perkins Student Center lobby to create friendship bracelets.
Later in the day an Acirema Workshop was held for faculty and staff to have an opportunity to learn about the difficulties and strict immigration procedures that international students must complete before their arrival at the college. The Acirema Workshop, or America backwards, allowed faculty and staff to hear from current international students for an interactive and informative presentation.
On. Nov. 19, students were invited to an Education Abroad Workshop to learn about study abroad opportunities and hear from a panel of peers who have participated in study abroad. A representative from University Park’s Education Abroad office also joined to provide students with information on scholarships and financial aid.
Later that day the Global Studies degree program hosted an international film watch party for "In the Fade," a 2017 film directed by Faith Akin that tackles the surge of far-right, anti-immigrant violence in modern-day Germany. The movie is centered around the actions of a young mother in a time where the liberal democratic justice system refuses to hold neo-fascist terrorists responsible for brutal crimes.
On Nov. 20, International Student Services, in collaboration with DEIB Committee and Student Affairs, celebrated International Day. Students gathered to share their culture with the Berks community by hosting tables with traditional items from their culture, information, music and games.
On Nov. 21, students were invited to enjoy "Friendsgiving," a traditional Thanksgiving dinner which included cultural foods typically served during major holidays around the world. The event also included activities.
On Nov. 22, International Student Services, in collaboration with Career Services, hosted an international panel and mock interviews. This event, open only for international students, allowed F-1 international students to learn from former F-1 students about the process of transforming their studies into a career in the U.S.
In addition, for the first two weeks of November, students had the opportunity to submit their photos to a Global Photo Contest in one of three categories. The first, "Home Away from Home," asked students to share a photo that captures what makes Penn State Berks feel like home. The second, “Life Abroad,” asked students to share a photo from a trip or event outside the United States. The third and final, “Cultural Perspective,” asked students to share a photo that captures the vibrant cultures they are a part of or have encountered.
For more information about International Student Week, contact Diane Sanders, international student adviser, at [email protected] or Nikki Rosario, global engagement coordinator, at [email protected].
