"International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences."
iew.state.gov

International Education Week (IEW) is typically held during the third week in November. Rice University has participated for many years in IEW as a way to celebrate our international students and scholars who come from all around the globe, and many other globalization initiatives across the university, helping to make Rice an internationally diverse and culturally rich campus. As Rice's IEW celebrations continue to evolve and cross-campus participation continues to increase, OISS strongly encourages departments across campus to find ways to commemorate internationalization efforts in their areas.

Please check back often for changes and updates to our IEW activities taking place in November!

This year's IEW will take place November 18-22, 2024. Please see below for a full schedule, and make sure to check back often as events will continue to be added.

Throughout International Education Week

Plant a Tree!

During this year's International Education Week, for each entry submitted to the virtual IEW events of Photo Competition, Recommended Reading, or International Recipes, OISS will plant a tree via American Forests!

American Forests, one of the oldest conservation organizations in the U.S., works to reverse trends in deforestation. They have been restoring forests for more than 140 years. Today these efforts are more important than ever and OISS is excited to contribute. Please consider submitting an entry to the photo competition, a recommended book or a favorite recipe (you can even do all three!).

By participating in the Photo Competition, Recommended Reading, or International Recipes, you will get to share a piece of your culture and help OISS plant trees!

OISS has hosted Plant a Tree campaigns as part of IEW since 2019. As a result a total of 186 trees have been donated through American Forests in celebration of International Education Week at Rice University so far.

International Recipes

We all know that food brings people together. Therefore, to celebrate International Education, OISS is collecting a list of International Recipes to be shared among the Rice community. To submit your favorite international recipe, please visit http://bit.ly/IEWrecipe. To see the recipes submitted so far, please visit the IEW Recipes webpage.

For each International Recipe submission during IEW 2024, OISS will donate one tree through American Forests!

International Recommended Reading

To celebrate International Education, OISS is creating a list of International Recommended Reading. These are books that somehow represent what is special and amazing about the culture they are from. To submit a book to be included, please visit http://bit.ly/IEWreading. To see the list of recommended reading, please visit the IEW Recommended Reading webpage.

For each Recommended Reading submission during IEW 2024, OISS will donate one tree through American Forests!

OISS Photo Competition

To celebrate this year's International Education Week (IEW), OISS is once again hosting a mini photo competition open to all members of the Rice international community. The person who submits the winning photo will win lunch for 2 at the Rice Faculty Club. The deadline for this competition is 11:59 p.m. CST on Sunday, November 17, 2024. To submit an entry, please visit https://bit.ly/IEWphoto.

Competition Rules

• All aspects of the Rice Honor Code will be enforced
• To participate, you must be a member of the current Rice international population
• Photos submitted must be taken by the person submitting the photo
• No more than 2 photos per person may be submitted
• Photos must be submitted as a JPG or PNG file (HEIC files are not accepted)
• Photos must be submitted by 11:59pm Houston time (CST) on Sunday, November 17, 2024

The international community will be invited to vote on the photos during International Education Week (voting instructions to be posted on Monday, November 18th). The person who submits the winning photo will win lunch for 2 at the Rice Faculty Club.

OISS reserves the right to edit, publish, or otherwise duplicate any photo entered into the competition. All photos will be posted on the OISS website, and the winning photo will be featured in OISS materials. In addition, each photo submission will count towards our Plant a Tree campaign!

For any questions on this competition, please contact Andy at thm1@rice.edu.

Please also take a look at our past Photo Competitions at https://oiss.rice.edu/past-photo-competition.

To submit an entry to the OISS IEW 2024 Photo Competition, please visit https://bit.ly/IEWphoto!

IEW Study Abroad Mini Photo Contest

As part of our celebrations for IEW, the Office of Study Abroad wants to include our students' amazing experiences too! Students have the chance to submit a photo to our Mini Photo Contest. We will have 2 different categories for this event. For recent/current study abroad students, they should submit a photo that best represents their favorite study spot while abroad. For our current exchange students, we are asking them to submit a photo of their favorite experience they've had here at Rice.

Winners will be announced during IEW through social media posts, so check out the Study Abroad Instagram at @ricestudyabroad and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RiceStudyAbroad.

November 11-15, 2024

International Career Summit – November 11-15

International students, it’s time to take your career journey to the next level! This virtual summit is packed with workshops, presentations, and panels designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to succeed in today’s job market.

Separate registration is required for each day. Register only for the days you plan to attend.

Summit Schedule:
Monday: Communicate with Confidence
Tuesday: Search for Jobs and Internships
Wednesday: Find Your Global Path
Thursday: Design Your Life
Friday: Take Action

For the full agenda and registration, click here.

Rice Global Paris Summer Program Info Session – November 12, 12:00 - 1:00pm

Rice Undergraduates! Are you interested in going to Paris to earn Rice course credit? Learn more about the Rice Global Paris Summer Program and the courses that will be offered for summer 2025. Free lunch and French treats will be provided! This in-person information session will take place in the Farnsworth Pavilion (in the RMC Student Center). No registration required!

Hear from students who have participated in the program. Visit our website to learn more! We will also be holding course-specific Zoom information sessions during International Education Week (Nov. 18 - 22) - Zoom links can be found here.

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Mini World Cup Soccer Tournament – 12:00 - 4:30pm

Get ready to kick off International Education Week (IEW) with the highly anticipated OISS Soccer World Cup, where teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe will compete for the coveted championship trophy!

Join us on Saturday, November 16, from 12:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Rec Center Field #3 (across from the Shepherd School of Music). This exciting event is brought to you by OISS, the Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center, and the Graduate Student Association.

Everyone in the Rice community is welcome to sign up at https://signup.rice.edu/iewsoccer to represent their region (Africa, Americas, Asia, or Europe). To keep the teams fair, some participants may be asked to switch regions. The sign-up fee is $10, which includes a team t-shirt and can be paid online via credit or debit card. Be sure to sign up by Sunday, October 30!

Registration for this event is closed, but everyone is invited to come out and support your team!

Monday, November 18, 2024

Travel to Taiwan – 3:00 - 4:00pm

Learn about opportunities to travel to Taiwan! Speakers include:
• Andrea Yang, Taiwan Ministry of Education
• Professor Meng Yeh, Rice in Taiwan
• Professor Steve Lewis, Department of Asian Studies
• Kelsey Ullom, Center for Civic Leadership
• Sophia Pivnik, Study Abroad
• Plus hear from students about their experience in Taiwan with these programs.

This event is hosted by the Center for Civic Leadership and it will take place in Miner Lounge in the Student Center.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Get the Scoop on International Education – 2:00 - 3:00pm

Learn about international education opportunities for Rice undergraduates from:
• The Center for Civic Leadership (CCL)
• The Center for Languages and Intercultural Communication (CLIC)
• The Office of Study Abroad
• The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
• Rice Global
• The Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK)
• Faculty-led programs on campus

And get some free ice cream! This event will take place in the Farnsworth Pavilion. RSVP on Owlnest!

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Field Trip to Bilingual Education Institute – 9:00am - 1:00pm

The Bilingual Education Institute (BEI) is Houston's premier language and cultural center, serving thousands of newcomers in the city. Join the Center for Civic Leadership on a field trip to the BEI headquarters to learn about their English language programs, vocational training, and support services for refugees in Houston.

RSVP is required by November 13: https://forms.gle/F6A6qQxh9FUctx5g8.

OISS/GSA Coffee Break – 3:30 - 5:00pm

Celebrate with us Rice's diversity and growing international community with coffee (hot & cold), lemonade, and treats from different countries! The event is co-hosted by OISS and GSA (Graduate Student Association). Presidents and leaders of international graduate student clubs will be happy to meet you and introduce you to what they do and their country. Share your culture and learn about others.

This event will take place at the Brochstein Plaza (outside courtyard next to Lovett Hall, in front of Sewall Hall/Welcome Center, not to be confused with Brochstein Pavilion), 3:30 - 5:00pm.

Employment Panel – 6:00 - 7:15pm

Join us for the International Student Employment Panel on November 21 at 6:00pm, hosted via Zoom by the Center for Career Development and OISS!

Gain valuable insights and practical advice from U.S. employers and international alumni who have successfully navigated the path to post-graduation work opportunities in the U.S.

What you’ll learn:
• Tips from U.S. employers on hiring international talent
• Firsthand experiences from international alumni who’ve secured jobs in the U.S.
• How to access career support services, including resume writing and career expos with the CCD
• Important immigration regulations for post-completion work

Panelists and their bios will be updated at https://rice.12twenty.com/events/30006101237078.

Join the Zoom meeting at https://riceuniversity.zoom.us/j/95919447904?pwd=oPUWQ1v3CWA4bCsLRJdBA62SIizheX.1.

Friday, November 22, 2024

Thanksgiving Lunch – 11:45am - 1:00pm

Come celebrate a uniquely American holiday by joining the OISS staff for a traditional seated Thanksgiving meal at the Grand Hall in the Student Center, 11:45am - 1:00pm! Tickets for a free meal will be given to the first 90 international students and scholars who sign up (2 tickets per person), starting Monday, November 18, at 9:00am.

As is our tradition, we also remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves, and we ask that you consider bringing a donation of $1, which will be donated to the Houston Food Bank (this is completely optional).

Destination: Study Abroad Mixer – 2:00 - 3:00pm

Hello, Prospective Study Abroad Students! Curious about studying outside of the US? Ready to explore new horizons? 🌍

Join the Office of Study Abroad for Destination: Study Abroad Mixer – an afternoon to connect, mingle, and get inspired! 🎉

What’s in store?
✈️ Meet alumni who’ve been there and can share their adventures
🍪 Enjoy tasty Insomnia Cookies as you chat
🌎 Get firsthand tips and advice for planning your study abroad journey

Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and take the first step toward an unforgettable experience!

📅 Date: Friday, November 22, 2024
🕒 Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
📍 Location: Miner Lounge (in the RMC)

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/RNVTZY3iJ2UEnEMe6

Monday, November 25, 2024

Presidents' Lunch (by invitation only)

This lunch is held every year by OISS to celebrate the student leaders that we have across campus in international clubs. This is a great opportunity for us to give thanks for all the hard work that the club presidents do over the year while celebrating the diversity that we have on this campus.

Special thanks to all the IEW participants:

• Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center
• The Center for Career Development (CCD)
• The Center for Civic Leadership (CCL)
• The Center for Languages and Intercultural Communication (CLIC)
• Graduate Student Association (GSA)
• The Office of Study Abroad
• The Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK)
• Rice Global

Please also see https://oiss.rice.edu/essay-competition for the winning essays of the IEW 2019 Essay Competition.