On Nov. 18, between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., the UCA Internationally-Related Student Organizations, UCA’s Study Abroad Department hosted the annual Global Expo on Old Main Lawn.
The purpose of this event was to get more engagement with UCA’s various internationally based programs and clubs teaching students about UCA’s commitment to foster an inclusive space.
In order to achieve this goal, students were given a passport to go around to different booths, where they would be given a sticker.
Those who participated were also given a free T-shirt.
“We hope to build students’ awareness of opportunities to connect with international communities, some of our RSOs that represent clubs from different countries, our international students, and then also our offices,” director of Education Abroad Alexandra Nieves said. “But really, today and the whole week is just a great way for students here at UCA to learn more about the opportunities that we offer to connect with global communities.”
With over 20 organizations present, many students were introduced to various cultures through international organizations.
“It definitely taught me amongst these things that I did not know,” freshman business major and member of UCA’s Caribbean Student Association (CSA) Darian Roll said. “I was not expecting to meet people from Columbia, Uzbekistan or Africa, and they just shined light on my knowledge and I learned a lot from here.”
The presentation of culture was key to giving the students a better understanding of each of their fellow students.
“We have a few students from the Bahamas showcasing what they do in the Bahamas, some fun stuff to do when just outside of the Bahamas,” CSA member and sophomore nursing major Tiore said. “Many tourists or Americans won’t really know as us to be international.”
Along with the students, there were also some of UCA’s staff who were showcasing various cultures.
“We just tried to make it more like the international community to expose to people,” visiting lecturer of Japanese Culture and Language Dr. Kae Reed said. “It’s great to see … different culture, different people and … the group of people and that’s all awesome.”
The booths each had a display with flags, items and/or activities that represented tied back to their countries such as the Japanese table having Japanese candy and manga while the Korean club had books that would teach Korean.
In the center of the event was a booth held by the Syrian Emergency Task Force Connection Committee, hosted by retired program manager for International Student and Scholar Services Pamela Woodard George.
This booth focused on helping calm children in Syria who needed support.
“I’ve had maybe … six or seven people stop by actually make letters of hope that we’re sending to our kids in … the kindergarten,” said George, “and bracelets for the girls at the girls’ high school. We have 85 girls in our girls’ high school.”
While this is an annual event, this was the first time UCA is holding it on Old Main.
The Global Expo was one of many in UCA’s celebration of International Education Week, a nationally celebrated annual event across universities in the US.
UCA has been celebrating since before International Education Week started on Nov. 13.
On Nov. 13 the UCA Foundation, UCA’s College of Education and UCA’s Center for Global Development had students go through a simulated process of being an international student.
Afterwards, they would engage with fellow students who are studying at UCA from abroad in order to discuss the process.
UCA’s last International Education Week event was a private Thanksgiving event held in the McCastlain Ballroom and Fireplace room hosted by UCA’s Center for Global Learning and Engagement on Nov. 24.
