ISO to celebrate cultural diversity during International Education Week
In recognition of International Education Week, UH’s International Student Organization will make its presence known with various events hosted by different units on campus from Nov. 15 through Nov. 20.
ISO president and electrical engineering senior Fahad Mohammed said the organization will be involved with the opening ceremony on Monday, Nov. 16 at noon.
“We have invited some of our performers from the International Fashion and Talent Show,” Fahad said. “I’m expecting something new from the same performers. It’s gonna be individual performances representing different parts of the world, mostly by singing.”
ISO director of marketing and economics senior Nazir Pandor said IEW introduces exciting new challenges.
“(The International Fashion and Talent Show was) a learning curve,” Pandor said. “This time we’re having a lot of guidance from the International Student and Scholar Services Office. They’ve had experience doing this over the past few years. We get to learn from them, be guided by them and then see how we can best fit, so the next time we are able to do it ourselves or, even better, to add more input.”
Fahad added said that, besides ISO, parties overlooking international students at UH will play their own part in forming and promoting different events throughout the week, including cultural showcases, themed lunches and introducing career opportunities abroad.
ISO vice president and industrial engineering sophomore Viviana Linares said she was most excited for the “Language Exchange” event on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
“I think there’s something really nice about us being from everywhere,” Linares said. “Part of that is us having our own language, which means a lot to each person. I’ve always wanted to learn German, so I hope I can find someone that will teach me a little bit (of) German.”
Fahad said IEW promotes the necessity of being a global citizen and helps shine a light on ISO and its affiliates.
“(Through IEW) we’ll get exposure from other organizations, and they’ll get to know that we are dealing with students more directly at a social level,” Fahad said. “Anybody who wants to get international students involved in anything, they’re more than welcome to come to us.”
Pandor said he thinks the impact of this year’s IEW will be felt far beyond campus grounds.
“(The Obama administration) takes international education very seriously,” Pandor said. “As long as the government wants to continue making it a priority, (IEW) will go on for quite some time. The University of Houston will be glad to keep on with the tradition.”
To search for or submit events celebrating IEW nationwide, check the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ website.
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