A Whirlwind of Events: International Education Week
Though Grinnell is a small college, opportunities for global study are diverse and accessible to students. In honor of International Education Week (IEW), Grinnell’s Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) hosted a series of events encouraging students to share their global experiences, explore opportunities for international study, and connect with Grinnell’s international community, right here on campus.
“International Education Week was actually started as a joint initiative between the U.S Department of State and Department of Education,” explains Sonja Lindberg, assistant director of off-campus study in IGE. “But we celebrate it here to truly highlight the value of global knowledge, intercultural learning, and intercultural engagement.”
Lindberg hopes to extend these opportunities to everybody, including students who may not realize their financial aid can be used for international study. Her favorite part of the IEW is having individual conversations with students and breaking down barriers for those wishing to pursue educational opportunities abroad. “We hope that in identifying those barriers early on, we can plan for ways to overcome them — especially financial ones. Those one-on-one conversations help students feel more confident about their options while also relieving any potential concerns.” This week, students learned about study abroad possibilities at the Global Opportunities Fair and spoke with various members of the IGE staff.
And to wrap up the end of International Education Week, the IGE wrapped up its series of events with a Global Kitchen Spice Tasting Challenge and a Middle of Everywhere presentation about Vietnamese Café Culture.
The Global Kitchen Spice Tasting Challenge was hosted by Professor Todd Armstrong in the Russian Department; Jane Hoffman ’25, who has worked for the Global Kitchen for the last couple of years, helped cook up focaccia bread to accompany the contest.
“This year, Todd has really cool spices from his personal garden,” she remarks excitedly, “so he’s combining his own stash with everything else we have here at the Global Kitchen.”
As for the focaccia bread, Hoffman admits it is slightly random, recounting how the recipe came from a “super-talented” former Global Kitchen peer mentor. “It has now become sort of a micro-tradition to welcome people into the kitchen and offer a fun baked good.”
On Friday, Nam Do ’25, from Hanoi, Vietnam, concluded International Education Week with a presentation on Vietnamese Café Culture. He walked students through aesthetic and “iconic” coffee shops in Vietnam, noting the Instagrammable Note Coffee Café and touristy Train Street Café in Hanoi. At the end of the presentation, Do — with the help of the Global Kitchen — served attendees with two variations of Vietnamese coffee. The first was cà phê trứng (egg coffee), made with an egg yolk custard, condensed milk, and honey. The second was a coconut coffee, popular at the Cộng Cà Phê coffee chains throughout Vietnam.
Read more about some of Grinnell’s other programming that encouraged our students to think more globally — while also bringing some of their global experiences back to Grinnell.
A Peek into Some of IEW Events on Grinnell’s Campus
Monday, November 18
Money Matters: Off-Campus Study Finances Information Session
Students were invited to learn about off-campus study costs for semester-long programs, as well as take notes to become a money-savvy traveler abroad.
Global Opportunities Fair
Twenty study abroad and off-campus study programs set up tables in the Humanities and Social Sciences Center (HSSC) to talk with students about their respective programs. Students were also able to ask questions to Grinnell College off-campus partners.
Tuesday, November 19
A Fulbright Presentation with Special Guest Lexi Mueldener ’23
Hosted by Fulbright and the Institute for International Education, this event provided information about various Fulbright study/research grant award programs and English Teaching Assistantships. In the second half of the session, Lexi Mueldener ’23 shared her experience teaching English in Colombia and her life after Fulbright. Since her time in Colombia, she has completed an M.A. in anthropology, worked as a graduate research assistant, and participated in various internship opportunities.
The event, organized to celebrate IEW, sought to encourage early interest in the Fulbright program. “International Education Week is the perfect time to have alumni share their global journeys from Grinnell College and beyond,” shares Ann Landstrom, assistant dean and director of global fellowships and awards. “It allows students to listen, feel the journey of each alumnus, and show how global opportunities shape and provide growth of each person’s unique future.”
F-1@4: Student Visa Regulations 101
The Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) outlined the benefits and limitations of holding an F-1 status, open to domestic students, too. “OISA hosted this event as a way to invite domestic students to learn more about the breadth of immigration policies that directly impact their international student peers,” says Karen Edwards, dean for international student affairs.
Wednesday, November 20
Ethiopia Case Study with Sied H. Mohamed
Chrystal Visiting Assistant Professor (Economics) Sied H. Mohamed visited campus to discuss the health and climate impacts of subsidized energy solutions in low-income countries.
“It’s important to hear international scholars’ perspectives on conducting research back in their home country,” says Lindberg of the talk, “Especially when it comes to issues impacting their local societies.”
Off-Campus Study First Steps Information Session
This exploratory information session encouraged students to begin exploring the various possibilities of studying off-campus, start their application, and learn tricks on how to navigate the process.
Shinder Research Fellowship Experience
Shinder Fellows presented the research they completed during the summer as an extension of their off-campus study experiences. “Some Shinder fellows researched the topics related to their majors and future professions, while others explored interests outside of their regular academic engagement,” shares Anastasia Izmaylova, director of the Center for Languages and Intercultural Communication.
“Both paths are excellent examples of what students can do with their advanced language skills beyond the traditional classroom. I hope students get inspired to either start a new language learning journey or continue to persevere in their current language coursework after seeing these possibilities from their peers.” Izmaylova says that beyond sharing about their research, Shinder fellows also share their experiences in meeting new people, immersing in new cultures, and navigating new places.
About the Institute of Global Engagement (IGE)
Beyond International Education Week, IGE is dedicated to showcasing the importance of international education year-round. Both in the classroom and community spaces throughout campus, IGE constantly cultivates critical inquiry, intercultural exchange, and community engagement. Read more about IGE and its staff on Grinnell’s website.