Celebrating international exchange at Vanderbilt: International Education Week 2025

Question: What do Arabic calligraphy, Sesame Streetand Chinese fortune sticks have in common?

Answer: All are featured at this year's International Education Week at Vanderbilt!

International Education Week is an annual celebration of international education and cultural exchange. Created in 2000 through a memorandum issued by President Bill Clinton, IEW recognizes the importance of global exchange-whether it is encouraging students in the U.S. to study abroad or welcoming international students and scholars on U.S. campuses. Colleges and universities throughout the U.S. host IEW in mid-November each year with an array of programming that highlights the broad impact of international education on each campus.

IEW at Vanderbilt is coordinated by International Student and Scholar Services. Each year, ISSS solicits proposals from across campus. This year's IEW at Vanderbilt features more than a dozen events sponsored or organized by over 20 different departments, student organizations or individual students and researchers-reflecting the deep range of global experiences and perspectives that enrich the Vanderbilt community.

On Friday, Nov. 14, IEW will kick off with "World in Focus," poster presentations by international students from Peabody College that reflect on education systems and strategies from around the world. The following week is filled with a variety of events, starting with "What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew Then," a panel discussion on how international students, faculty and postdocs have adjusted to life at Vandy. Thinking about studying abroad? Go to "Study Abroad OverVU," which will go over the basics of study abroad options for Vanderbilt students. Curious about the Arabic language? Practice the art of Arabic script with the Arabic Club on Arabic Calligraphy Night! "Traditions and Transformations," led by four students from Central Asia, will take you on an interactive tour of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Play board games from around the world at International Game Night, or learn about the Chinese practice of fortune sticks. And much, much more! Experience the possibilities the world has to offer in one week in mid-November.

A full schedule of IEW at Vanderbilt is available on the ISSS website.