GCU Celebrates International Education Week Nov. 14-19

By Rachel Ray

Home to more than 130 international students representing more than 46 countries, Grand Canyon University has a diverse student population worth celebrating.

Beginning Monday, November 14, the Center for International Education is collaborating with both ASGCU and the International Student Club to celebrate the diverse GCU campus with International Education Week.

Students are invited to a different event each day of the week.

Monday will feature, Global Dining, an internationally themed menu during the lunch hour in the Student Union.

Tuesday there will be an International Soccer game from 5 to 8 p.m. in which all students are welcome to participate. (Registration can be found on the CIE’s Facebook page: CIE GCU)

Come to the Howerton Lecture Hall in the College of Nursing on Wednesday at 7 p.m. for a screening of “Cool Runnings.”

Thursday will be a busy day on the promenade with the Cultural and Diversity Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be various clubs set up and a stage with international dance, music and other performances.

International Education Week will wrap up on Friday with Caribbean Night in Canyon Café at 5 p.m.

Although schools nationwide celebrate International Education Week for the last decade, GCU is expanding its focus to move beyond international education to include diversity and cultural awareness.

The combined effort of International Student Coordinator Deborah Parris, ASGCU’s Multicultural Director Matt Muchna, and International Student Club President Jamie Mones has allowed GCU to highlight all the different cultures represented on campus.

“My vision is more to work to raise global awareness among GCU students,” says senior sociology student Muchna. “To me it’s a huge deal; we’re a small part of this world, and we need to recognize all the uniquely beautiful parts of this world.”

Mones, a sophomore Nursing and Pre-Med major, is equally excited about the upcoming week.

With a different event each day, Mones hopes to highlight all the different cultures that are present on campus as well as let students who are eager to be more involved know more about the ISC.

The club plans various events throughout the school year to highlight the myriad cultures found on campus. It is also currently looking to fill multiple leadership positions in its club structure.

To find out more information about any of the events or any international happenings on campus contact Jamie Mones at jmones01@my.gcu.edu, Deborah Parris at deborah.parris@gcu.edu or Matt Muchna at asgcu.multicultural@gcu.edu.

Rachel Ray is a junior communications major at GCU. She is also a resident assistant in Canyon Hall.