LWC to Celebrate Its Diversity During International Education Week

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- The rich diversity of Lindsey Wilson College's student body will be celebrated Nov. 12-16 during the college's commemoration of International Education Week.

The week -- which is a joint initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education -- will be celebrated at Lindsey Wilson with presentations from students and faculty as well as samples of international food.

LWC's residential student body of 1,099 includes 95 international students from 34 countries, making the college one of the most diverse international campuses in Kentucky.

"Stressing international education to American students helps them understand different cultures and how to communicate to them," said LWC Director of International Student Programs Suzy McAlpine.

All LWC events -- which are free and open to the public -- will be from 3:30-5 p.m. CT in the Cralle Student Union Building. LWC's events include:

* Monday, Nov. 12: "Korean Presentation," by LWC Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Ji Seun Sohn, who is a native South Korean. Also: samples of Korean food.

* Tuesday, Nov. 13: "China Presentation," by LWC Associate Professor of Psychology David Ludden, who has studied in China; and "A Performance of Chinese Music" by LWC student Chunyan Liang, who is from China.

* Wednesday, Nov. 14: "Reflections on Study Abroad Experiences," by LWC staff member Hannah Peck and LWC students Kendall Sewell, Antonette Dorsey and Conner McGirr, all of whom have studied abroad.

* Thursday, Nov. 15: "Afghan Women," a presentation by LWC student Sana Yousufi, who is from Kabul, Afghanistan.

* Friday, Nov. 16:"Spain Presentation -- Music & Food from Spain," by LWC Spanish students.

Nationally, the purpose of International Education Week is 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.

"We should teach international education because it is important for a variety of reasons," McAlpine said. "The American economy for example. More than  720,030 international students are studying in the U.S., and when they are done with their formal education they will be a part of our economic system. Also it just promotes global education for American students."

LWC has an exchange program with universities from South Korea and Japan, which gives American students opportunities to study abroad for a semester or a year. The college also has study-abroad programs in Europe that provide students four- to six-week experiences.

Lindsey Wilson College will celebrate International Education Week Nov. 12-16. For more information, contact Director of International Student Programs Suzy McAlpine at mcalpins@lindsey.edu or (270) 384-8236.