In conjunction with several university and student groups on campus, Augustana’s International Programs Office (IPO) is proud to celebrate International Education Week (IEW), beginning Sunday, Oct. 31, through Friday, Nov. 5. While International Education Week is celebrated nationally this year on Nov. 15-19, institutions are encouraged to hold IEW events when they best align with their academic schedules in their local communities.
International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. The week-long celebration began as a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education in an effort to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences.
International Education Week at Augustana will include everything from a movie and game night and language round table to a friendly game of soccer and informational sessions on international studies. One of the most popular events from last year includes a talent show, known at AU as the “World’s Got Talent Show.”
“The celebration of International Education Week is an appreciation of the diversity of thought, culture and personality that makes up our campus and the world. Through programs like International Education Week, students can explore and learn to appreciate other cultures in a progressive and educational space. It is more than just an opportunity to gather. It allows students to learn from one another, and to leave being more informed and appreciative of the world,” said Augustana international student Henry Sule.
Co-sponsored by the IPO, Augustana International Club (AIC), Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, as well as Campus Ministry, Augustana University is particularly excited to welcome Braver Angels Ambassador and former CIA Executive Frederick (Rick) Hotchner to campus on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 2. Hotchner’s talk to Augustana students, staff and faculty is entitled “Political Polarization in the U.S. and Abroad: Braver Angels’ Efforts to Bridge the Partisan Divide.”
“In my opinion, polarization, which is not unique to the U.S., is the key challenge of our day, as it is driving people to extremes and preventing us from getting a handle on our problems, let alone solving them. I would add that, because polarization is weakening our country, foreign adversaries are seeking to exacerbate our divisions and capitalize on them. We all need to be part of the solution and Braver Angels provides a way for us to engage productively,” said Hotchner.
Hotchner and his wife, Barbara Thomas, a former Foreign Service officer, are ambassadors for Braver Angels — a national bipartisan group that was formed around the 2016 presidential election to bring people of all political perspectives together for respectful conversations in hopes of increasing understanding, seeing the humanity in each other, and finding common ground where it exists. Braver Angels does not try to change anyone’s positions or values; rather, the point is to change how we treat each other.
Augustana is no stranger to the Braver Angels organization as the university launched an initiative in the fall of 2020 ahead of the presidential election to encourage listening, learning and civil discourse through an effort called “With Malice Toward None.” With the support of Augustana President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Campus Pastor Rev. Ann Rosendale '04 — who is a trained Braver Angels moderator — led the initiative in collaboration with a diverse group of Augustana faculty and staff.
International Education Week Events
Sunday, Oct. 31
Movie Night: Disney/Pixar’s Coco I Back Alley I 2 p.m.
Hosted by La Unión Hispana (LUH)
Monday, Nov. 1
Language Roundtable I Back Alley I 5 p.m.
Hosted by the Linguistics Club
Friendly Soccer I Elmen Center Court 1 I 7:15 p.m.
Hosted by the African Student Union (ASU)
Tuesday, Nov. 2
‘Political Polarization in the U.S. & Abroad’ by Frederick (Rick) Hotchner I Hamre Hall I 7 p.m.
Hosted by the IPO, Augustana International Club (AIC), Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Campus Ministry
International Studies Major Information Session I Humanities 331 I 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by the IPO
Wednesday, Nov. 3
Game Night & Karaoke I Back Alley I 5:30-7 p.m.
Hosted by the Asian Student Organization (ASU)
Thursday, Nov. 4
Celebrate Diwali I Back Alley I 5-7 p.m.
Hosted by Better Together
Friday, Nov. 5
World’s Got Talent Show I Back Alley I 7 p.m.
Hosted by the Augustana International Club (AIC) and Union Board of Governors (UBG)