International Education Week means yet another chance for Sumin Oh to share her culture with the Brock community — and she cannot wait.

The first-year Accounting Co-op student and International Student Ambassador from South Korea will host two sessions on Monday to kick-off the weeklong celebration packed with activities.

The annual event, promoted by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), is celebrated each year on the third week of November in more than 100 countries.

The Brock community is invited to participate in a series of in-person and virtual offerings organized by Brock International Services (BIS) from Monday, Nov. 15 to Friday, Nov. 19 that highlight the importance of a globally-oriented learning experience.

Oh said the growing popularity of Korean culture in North America over the past few years, from K-pop music to TV, film and cuisine, inspires her to share more of her culture with the people she meets.

“It means the world to me that Brock is hosting an International Education Week,” she said. “I can feel it in my heart that Brock really cares about every single one of us here.”

Oh will host a session on Buchae, the art of making a traditional Korean fan, in the International Centre Global Commons (GLB-104) Monday at 3:30 p.m. Afterwards, the Brock community is invited to join her for dinner (at their own expense) at Seoul Korean Cuisine at 6:30 p.m. to experience a taste of her culture.

Ken Chan, Vice-President, Administration at Brock University, will serve as a keynote speaker during an information session for international students on pathways to career education and settlement on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.

Monday is also the start of a daily Learn and Connect series from noon to 1 p.m., where attendees can gain new perspective from faculty, staff and students from around the world and build a global network. Each session will focus on a different community at the University as attendees listen and discuss various topics each day. The sessions will take place in the International Centre Global Commons (GLB-104) on Monday, in the lower level of the Schmon Tower (ST103) from Tuesday to Friday and virtually on Microsoft Teams all week long.

“Attending events during International Education Week works to strengthen the University’s global reach,” said Kyla Pennie, Associate Director, Internationalization and Support Services. “By bringing together faculty, staff and students to explore Brock’s connection to the world, we learn to collaborate from a global perspective.”

She added that International Education Week also builds on the institution’s commitment to inclusivity and equity through understanding and respecting of the diverse identities that call Brock home.

That sentiment led to the development of a new program at the University to support international students’ pathway to career education and settlement. On Tuesday, Brock International Services will host an information session at 3 p.m. on Microsoft Teams about the new program.

During the session, participants will learn about the steps included in the Pathway to Career Success for international students and how global learning helps students build on Brock’s Core Competencies, which can increase employment outcomes.

Ken Chan, Vice-President, Administration at Brock University, will serve as the event’s keynote speaker, sharing his journey from being an international student to a university Vice-President. The event will also feature two Brock University alumni and former international students who will speak about the experiences that contributed to their successful careers in Canada.

Tuesday also marks the return of a popular event for International Education Week, as Rani Hansalia hosts Bollywood dance lessons for the second straight year. The third-year Media and Communications student from India has more than 15 years of experience in dance forms such as Indian classical, contemporary and Bollywood. The Brock community is invited to the Ian Beddis Gym from 6 to 8 p.m. to discover the popular dance style that embodies the essence of Hindu art, music and culture.

Wednesday will see the launch of an important discussion on the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals, introduced in 2015 as a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. Hosted on Microsoft Teams at 2 p.m., the session will educate attendees about each of the goals and the importance of global education, global citizenship and how, by taking on a global perspective, everyone can positively contribute to the world.

The Americas and the Caribbean will then take centre stage on Thursday with back-to-back events taking place in downtown St. Catharines.

Brock students, faculty and staff can join Ximena Paredes, Brock International Student Ambassador from Mexico, for dinner at Taco Embassy from 5 to 7 p.m. before heading to the Niagara IceDogs hockey game at the Meridian Centre at 7 p.m. Both events are at the attendee’s expense. Tickets to the IceDogs game, where Niagara will take on the Mississauga Steelheads, need to be purchased in advance. Tickets are $17 and available online for a limited time.

The Brock community will close out the week Friday with Snacks from Around the World in the International Centre Global Commons (GLB-104) at 2 p.m. The gastronomical adventure will give attendees the opportunity to taste treats from all corners of the globe and create lively discussion on the wide variety of flavours and ingredients.

For a full listing of International Education Week events, including information on how to register and where online events will take place, visit brocku.ca/international-week