Feb. 24, 2014
The Center for Global Education honors the cultural diversity of Catholic University students during International Week, a series of events running from Monday, Feb. 24, to Saturday, March. 1. Each day will highlight different cultures with dancing, food, performances, and guests from embassies in Washington, D.C.
"My hopes for this year are to give students the experience of studying abroad without having to actually travel," states Roy Braine, director, International Student and Scholar Services.
All events are on campus and open to the public free of charge.
Viva l'Italia, Monday, Feb. 24
• 3 to 5 p.m., McMahon Hall, Lobby• Italian food, music, and organizations including National Italian American Foundation, the Lido Civic Club, and the Italian Cultural Society of Washington, D.C., will be featured. • Guest speaker: Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero of Italy
Europe Day, Tuesday, Feb. 25
• 2 to 7 p.m., Edward J. Pryzbyla Unviversity Center, Great Room B • Celebration of European culture through a day of food, language sessions, student presentations, games, lectures, and discussions on Europe.
Celebrate Brazil, Wednesday, Feb 26
• 3 to 8 p.m., Pryzbyla Center, Great Room B• The day features dancing, music, and cultural readings on Brazil's carnival history, and Brazilian cuisine. • Learn to dance the samba, square dance the Festa Junina, and be part of the Bossa Nova serenade.
Global Civic Engagement Talk Series: Numbers Alive!, Wednesday, Feb. 26?
• 5 to 6 p.m., Gowan Hall, Room 126 • Speaker Rebecca Klemm, director, Numbers Alive, an organization dedicated to teaching children mathematical concepts through the arts, will talk about civic engagement opportunities.
Global Fest Featuring Embassy Row, Thursday, Feb. 27 • 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pryzbyla Center, Great Room • The week's biggest event, Global Fest will feature the sounds and tastes of the cultures of the CUA international community. • Features include performances, displays, and foods provided by student organizations and embassies. • Highlights include Saudi Arabian tents, henna tattoos, and tourism information.
A Tribute to Madiba, Thursday, Feb. 27 • 6 to 8 p.m., Pryzyla Center, Great Room B • Hosted by the Black Student Alliance • Nii Akuetteh, founder, Democracy & Conflict Research Institute, will speak on the life of Nelson Mandela.
Masquerade Ball, Friday, Feb. 28 • 8 to 10: 30 p.m., Pryzbyla Center, Great Room B• The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures hosts a celebration of Mardi Gras with an evening of dancing. This event is open to CUA students only. 1001 Arabian Nights, Saturday, March 1 • 4 to 8 p.m., Pryzbyla Center, Great Room • The festivities conclude with a night of Middle Eastern dancing, music, and food. Experience the diversity and traditions of this ancient region of the world.
Ashley Ahlfeld, president of FOCUS, the Filipino organization on campus which is participating in International Festival, says, "We love sharing our story and background with the CUA community. It is a fabulous way to continue growing as a club and teach people how special our country is through the amazing events that are held."