November 25, 2014

Medicine Hat College (MHC) recently wrapped up their celebrations for International Education Week (IEW) from November 17-21, 2014.

IEW is an annual, week-long event that is celebrated by over 100 countries around the world. It provides organizations that are active in international education a chance to showcase the culturally-diverse programming and activities that students are exposed to which enhance their learning and prepare them to be active participants in a global marketplace.  

“Our international students make up between five and ten per cent of the student population at MHC, so our students, staff and faculty are exposed and interacting with people of different cultures and ethnicities daily,” says Michele Josey, student retention officer with international education. “International Education Week enables our students to share their customs and cultures with not only us but the community- which I believe is beneficial.”

This year’s events included lectures by global tourism and marketing instructors Rick Robinson and Gail Williams; ecotourism and outdoor leadership instructor Russel Krasnuik; as well as presentations by The Connection, an intercultural association based out of Medicine Hat; and staff from international education. Cultural demonstrations included a student fashion show, Thai Chi instruction, origami demonstration and a talent show.

“I believe we were successful in creating cultural awareness on campus and showing that this week is all encompassing; it not only deals with international students who are studying here in Canada, but also the individuals we send abroad, the professors that lead groups, and anything that has to do with international education,” explains Josey.

IEW occurs every year during the third week of November. The community is encouraged to mark the dates in their calendar and plan to attend the celebrations in 2015. “MHC has been participating in International Education Week for a number of years and we will continue to build on our activities,” says Josey.

For more information on the college’s involvement in international education or to learn how you can get involved in enriching the experiences of our students visit www.mhc.ab.ca.