Fall is a busy time for all things International Education at Vol State. From Vol State to the world, the sky is the limit when it comes to global and cultural learning!
International Education Week #IEW2024
IEW celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide according to the U.S. Department of Education. This joint initiative with the U.S. Department of State is an opportunity to highlight the value of global and cultural competencies and promote programs that help U.S. students and teachers develop global skills for success in the 21st century. Vol State’s International Education Committee and Student Services staff sponsored a week full of educational activities, food, and prizes in celebration of IEW November 18-22, 2024.
Throughout IEW, faculty members provided study abroad information to interested students about the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies (TnCIS) programs available in summer 2025. Applications are due January 25, 2025. Those who are interested should visit the Application Process webpage for details. The IE committee provides several program scholarships to help make study abroad a reality for as many students as possible!
At Cookeville, Vol State student Helga Skinner displayed photos from her Ireland study abroad program last year. Throughout the week, students enjoyed a variety of international snacks from Jamie’s Eats & Sweets. They sampled many different types of Irish baked goods such as apple cupcakes, soda bread, scones, and tarts. Student also enjoyed French truffles, French onion tarts, various scones and shortbread from Scotland. They wrapped up IEW with food from India including khichu, sooji toast, besan ladoo, and nankhatai cookies.
The Gallatin campus featured a unique student activity each day, including customized international flag tote bags, a live mariachi band, henna tattoos, trivia, and an international film showing. We welcomed Dr. Mark Janzen from Lipscomb University who spoke about his epigraphy and archeology research in Egypt. Almost 50 students attended the Egyptology presentation! We also welcomed the Vanderbilt Humphrey’s Fellows to campus for class visits and an opportunity to learn about the Tennessee community college system. The Humphrey Fellowship “brings accomplished educational leaders from developing nations and emerging democracies to the United States for an academic year to study, gain related professional experience, build their leadership capacity and foster mutual understanding.” Catering was provided by Dos Bros Fresh Mexican Grill, Vui’s Vietnamese Cuisine, C and G’s Fine Food Italian buffet, and Bawarchi Indian Mt. Juliet.
PTK Honor Society students at Gallatin contributed to IEW by combining it into their annual community project. Students made several international dishes and provided free samples along with stories about the cuisine. They also created a recipe booklet with all the recipes and stories, and they're selling them for $5 (cash only). All proceeds will be donated to NICE (Nashville International Center for Empowerment). If you'd like to purchase one, please contact PTK advisor, Melanie Cochran at melanie.cochran@volstate.edu.
Livingston students had a week filled with fun, new foods to try! On Monday, they were able to taste around the world with snacks from countries like Korea, Turkey, and Japan. Tuesday, they had sizzling chicken and steak fajitas, complete with a side of homemade chips and salsa. Wednesday they were treated to large strawberry, banana, and chocolate hazelnut crepes and Thursday they ended out the week trying Thai milk boba tea and taro milk boba tea! They had a lot of fun trying new foods from other cultures around the world!
Students at the Springfield campus tasted some delightful international flavors, as well, including Italian food Torinos, Mexican food from Altenos’, and Ichibans Japanese cuisine. They also enjoyed getting their international caricatures drawn!
Students entered to win one of several prize baskets at each Vol State campus. Baskets varied with a variety of travel themed items such as duffel bags, travel-sized toiletries, luggage locks, luggage tags, and commuter mugs.
Last, but certainly not least, we revealed the winners of our Art and Design Contest at IEW 2024. Sixteen Vol State students submitted some amazing and creative designs to help us promote international education and study abroad. Emiliano Maldonado won first place for his “passport poster” and Ke’Aundra Brown took runner-up for “global potential.” Congrats to both of these winners!
Art & design contest
