Participants at a Saudi Arabian cooking demonstration try out some of that country's dishes during International Education Week at Brock last year.

Spoken word poetry, international cooking showcases and Chinese watercolour painting classes are all on the bill for International Education Week, which kicks off today.

The annual event, celebrated in Canada and the U.S., will give Brock’s 1,000 international students from 80 countries the chance to show off some of their favourite aspects of home. It’s also an opportunity for the University’s Canadian students who have gone abroad to tout the benefits of having studied elsewhere in the world.

With dozens of activities organized throughout the week by Brock International and several campus partners, the point is to celebrate the value of a more global education, explained Sheila Young, Brock International director.

“It’s to highlight the importance of international education,” she said. “It’s to try and reach out to students who may not have thought about international issues or getting involved in international education experiences.”

In addition to a poetry slam, cooking and painting classes, sporting events and an international photo exhibit are also happening.

The exhibit in Sean O’Sullivan Gallery features photos taken by international students of images from their homeland. Another exhibit, called Home Away from Home, shows photos taken by Brock students who have gone on exchanges abroad.

Both exhibits run until Nov. 23 and visitors are encouraged to vote on-line for their favourite photos. Winning submissions will be framed and shutterbugs will be recognized at the annual International Services holiday banquet.

Other highlights include:

• Brock Hillel Centre for Jewish Life on Campus is holding a Holocaust remembrance evening on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Isaac’s Bar and Grill.

• Scholars at Risk speaker Anna Dolidze will present NGOs and the Legitimacy of International Legal Order on Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Sankey Chambers.

• The week will also see 14 Brazilian undergraduate science students recognized for their efforts during a year-long visit to Brock that includes doing a research internship alongside some of the University’s professors.

But it’s the cooking demonstrations organized by ESL Services and featuring foods from around the globe, including Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Venezuela that really draw those hungry for an international experience.

“It’s not just learning to cook. (The students) showcase their culture and home country as well as showing how to make a dish,” Young said.

“It’s fun to see the students share their culture in that way and everyone loves food.”

International Education Week runs until Friday and most events are free. A schedule of events is available online.