Thursday, November 4, 2010
PRINCESS ANNE, MD – (November 2, 2010) Representing more than 50 different countries, a contingent of international students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore will join in the national observance of International Education Week, Nov. 15-20, with an Ethnic Festival, open to the campus community and the general public.
The festival takes place on Thursday, Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Services Center Ballroom. The event features an exhibition of cultural artifacts, demonstrations of dancing and modeling in traditional country attire, and a sampling of authentic foods.
“International Education Week provides us the opportunity to learn and embrace the uniqueness and similarities of countries around the globe,” said Dr. Sarah Acquah, director of the Center for International Education at the university. “That view can be instilled in our youth, our future leaders, to become more effective leaders in the 21st century.”
UMES has more than 200 international students from over 50 different countries including, Austria, Antigua, Argentina, Bolivia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Cameroon, Chad, China, Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Korea, Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobacco and Zimbabwe.
“I think the opportunity to live in a melting pot community allows me to not only grow academically, but develop personally by engaging in conversations and events with students from different backgrounds,” said Daniel Muchai, a UMES junior who grew up in Nairobi, Kenya.
International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education designed to promote Global Education in the U.S. and abroad to encourage global competency and competitiveness. This year’s theme is: “International Education: Striving for a Sustainable Future.”
“I am glad I came to UMES because of the friends I have made,” said Jaime Whyte, a UMES junior and native of Jamaica. “They really go out of their way to make me feel at home.”
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Candice Evans, UMES Office of Public Relations, (410) 651-6669, caevans1@umes.edu
Bill Robinson, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355, wrobinson3@umes.edu.
