International Education Week

Discover the world in Arkansas and Arkansas in the world postcard.

November 17-21, 2025

Discover The World in Arkansas, Arkansas in the World

International Education Week celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of the University of Arkansas' efforts to prepare students for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States.

The week includes opportunities to share experiences in person, on social media and through virtual events. We welcome our students, scholars, alumni, faculty, staff, community and world travelers to participate.

Use #UARKIEW2025 to share your IEW experience

Instructions: How to Submit An Event

Hoyt Purvis Award

IEW Signature Programs:

THURSDAY | November 13 | Global Learning

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Scholars at Risk Program  | Gearhart Hall 206

Scholars at Risk:  Former  Mexican special prosecutor Omar Gomez presents: "Inside the Mexican Justice System in the Ayotzinapa Casse:  The Outsider"  Read More Here

Co-Sposored by: Professor Dick Bennett Scholars at Risk Endowed Lecture Series; Graduate School & International Education, International Employee Resource Group; Latin American & Latino Studies; Comparative Literature & Cultural Studies Program; The King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies


MONDAY | November 17 | Celebrating Cultures, Celebrating Community

 9:00AM – 10:00am | Faculty-Led Program Development Info Session | Virtual

Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 249 985 942 376 2, Passcode: 52g8ro2x)

9:00AM – 11:00 AM | IEW Launch  | International  Connections Lounge, Union

Stop by the Union International Connections Lounge (Flag Room) for an IEW Globe Balloon, try your skills at a flag game, view the Study Abroad Photo Contest Winners, and get your name written  in another language.

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | ISO International  Bazaar | Union Ballroom

Launch International Education Week with cultural performances, displays, activities, and international foods. 
Hosted by International Student Organizations.

 

TUESDAY | November 18 | Global Learning & Academic Engagement across the Colleges

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | International Research Poster Session | Union Rooms 507-511

Explore research conducted abroad or in collaboration with international partners through dynamic student and scholar posters.

12:00 – 2:00 PM | International Faculty and Staff Appreciation Lunch | #206 Gearhart Hall

A special gathering to celebrate and honor our international faculty and staff for their contributions to the campus community.         

3:30 – 4:30 PM | Building Global Careers: Alumni Perspectives | virtual event

Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 868 0434 2576, Passcode: Iew2025!)

Hear from alumni about how international experiences shaped their career paths and professional success.

           

WEDNESDAY | November 19 | Study Abroad & International Exchange: Expanding Horizons

9:30 – 10:30 AM | Rome Center Q & A | Link to Virtual Event on Teams

Discover opportunities and ask questions about studying and teaching at the University of Arkansas Rome Center.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Study Abroad Alumni Student and Faculty Panel | 258 Gearhart Hall

Gain insights from students and faculty who have studied or taught abroad as they share their experiences and advice.

4:00 – 5:30 PM | Exchange Student Mixer | 206 Gearhart Hall

Connect with incoming, outgoing, and former exchange students in an informal and friendly setting.

 

THURSDAY | November 20 | International Students & Scholars: Pathways, Perspectives, and Play

10:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Immigration & Career Workshop | CORD 349

Learn about employment opportunities, OPT, CPT, and immigration resources for international students navigating career pathways.        

12:30 – 1:30 PM | International Student Speed Presentations | International Connections Lounge, Union

Enjoy fast-paced, engaging presentations from international students introducing their home countries.  

6:00 – 8:00 PM | Let's Play with Hper! International Game Night| HPER GYM 1

Join students, scholars, and staff for connection and fun through games from around the world.

 

FRIDAY | November 21 | A Reflection on Global Citizenship

All day | Global Gratitude Bulletin Board | Fulbright Fountain

Share reflections of gratitude for international experiences and celebrate global connections across campus.

10:00 – 11:00 AM | Panel Discussion about Global Citizenship | 206 Gearhart

Engage in a conversation with experts about what it means to be a global citizen in today’s interconnected world.

4:00 – 5:30 PM | International Education Awards IEW | 206 Gearhart

Celebrate faculty, staff, and students who have made outstanding contributions to advancing international education.


Direct Inquires about IEW Events can be sent to Cynthia Smith, csmith@uark.edu  (479) 575-5003

 

2025 International Education Events

This is your opportunity to get students excited about expanding their world and to encourage them to seek study abroad and travel opportunities. At the same time, you can connect with new resources and find opportunities to engage new students within your college.

You can promote IEW within your college, RSO, across campus and around the world in the following ways:

  • Have a group of international visitors in town during IEW? Advertise the connection! Arrange a short meet and greet or a brief presentation that is open to the student body.
  • Invite a member of the International Culture Team to present about their country! See  ict.uark.edu  for more information about this team and make a presentation request here International Culture Team Request Form
  • Arrange a presentation for advertising your college’s study abroad programs. Encourage students to apply for a passport and if they are eligible, share the information about Study Abroad scholarships. Contact the Study Abroad Office for more information.
  • Share this IEW toolkit and list of resources with faculty and administrators in your departments and encourage them to incorporate activities into their curriculum during IEW.  And start thinking about next year!
  • Talk to media outlets on campus like the UA Traveler, Newswire, KXUA UATV, or to those in our community like KUAF, 40/29 or the Fayetteville Flyer. Tie IEW to your departmental mission with stories of your planned activities and international connections.
  • Host an International Career Day by inviting alumni and/or local international experts as speakers.
  • Organize a presentation on campus or in the community with an "international" theme.
    • The importance of foreign language study
    • International exchange and study abroad opportunities
    • International education as the key to homeland security
    • The internationalization of higher education
    • The internationalization of business and global food systems
    • The global classroom: Internet exchange and distance learning.
    • Intercultural communication
    • Dealing with culture shock
    • Host an International Career Day by inviting alumni and /or local international experts as speakers.
    • Recruit local citizens or alumni with overseas experience (Fulbright students, scholars and teachers, former diplomats, Peace Corps volunteers, business leaders, or journalists) to discuss their international careers and the importance of international education and exchange. This can be as formal as a panel presentation or speech or as informal as a coffee hour or brown bag lunch.
    • Produce and/or screen a video about the experiences of international students in your department and/or students back from a semester or year abroad. We have included a great template for this project in this IEW College toolkit.
    • Screen a film highlighting the impact of your field of study on the global stage. Allow time for group discussion after the movie.
    • Host live performances, art exhibits or interactive elements utilizing student or faculty talent of your department

Let us know information about your events and activities by submitting them to our IEW calendar. We will also publish your event on the national IEW website, once it has been submitted to us. If you have any other questions 

International Education Week Sponsors

  • The Graduate School & International Education
  • International Students & Scholars
  • The Office of Study Abroad & International Exchange
  • Sponsored Students & Special Programs
  • International Admissions
  • University of Arkansas Rome Center
  • The Graduate School
  • International Culture Team
  • iFriend Programs

International Education Week Event Sponsors

  • The Graduate School & International Education
  • International Students & Scholars
  • The Office of Study Abroad & International Exchange
  • Sponsored Students & Special Programs
  • International Culture Team
  • iFriend Programs
  • International Students Organization
  • Peace Corp Prep Program
  • Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Pantry
  • Ozark Catering
  • University Housing