For one week in November, colleges across the United States celebrate the international cultures and students that diversify their campuses.

The U.S. Departments of State and Education help promote the annual event, dubbed International Education Week.

UNF’s International Center will host International Education Week Nov. 17-21. Students and faculty can participate in a variety of activities in observance of the week, which will broaden their knowledge of international affairs.

The week is scheduled to begin with a discussion from a Fulbright panel. The panel represents the Fulbright Scholar Program, which annually sends 800 people overseas to more than 140 countries.

Members will make a presentation to students and staff and take questions regarding their program. Panel members will also visit classes to spread international awareness.

“A buzz word now is ‘global-competences,’” said Tim Robinson, the director of the International Center. “Businesses and operations are looking and saying that our graduates need to be globally competent to work in the world today.”

International Education Week will feature an international career workshop to showcase jobs. At the workshop, a panel of local associations will discuss local opportunities involving international careers, relations and business.

Members of the Jacksonville-based International Visitor Corps, Jacksonville Sister Cities Association and Jacksonville Port Authority will be in attendance. The workshop will also showcase the different organizations at different tables and booths for more specific information.

“[Students can] learn about opportunities that are out there, and also to talk about inter-cultural competence, how to interact and etiquette,” said Uli Decker, the study abroad coordinator for the International Center, about the workshop.

Another activity is the annual trivia bowl. The event features four-person teams competing in a trivia competition for prizes. The past few years, more and more students turn out for this competition, Robinson said.

“I think it is important to be educated on international issues, and the international trivia bowl was a good way to see how much I did or did not know,” said Jackson Frenot, a junior English major who competed in last year’s trivia bowl.

Calendar of Events

Nov. 17, 6 p.m., TBA
Discussion from a Fulbright panel.

Nov. 18, 1-3 p.m., International Center,
International career workshop to showcase jobs.

Nov. 18, 7 p.m., Robinson Theater,
Trivia bowl.

Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., Arena,
Badminton tournament

Nov. 20, 4-6 p.m., Faculty Commons
Reception for faculty. Professors at UNF can meet colleagues participating in study abroad programs.

Nov. 20, 6 p.m., Fine Arts  Center Recital Hall
The Japanese film, dance and art show.

E-mail Brian Norman at news@unfspinnaker.com.