UALR celebrates an International Celebration Week filled with music, food, education, and fun designed to increase awareness of national cultures and ways to improve interactions.

The week begins with “International Career Development Day,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15. Representatives from multinational organizations will provide insights on career development and a workshop for foreign students seeking overseas work visas.

An International Culture Fair, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, in the Donaghey Student Center’s (DSC) Ledbetter Hall A, B, and C, will feature interactive displays, posters, music, and food.

UALR Intercultural Communication students will present educational posters on communicating across cultures, including Mexico, Russian, India, Germany, China, Latin America, France, and Jamaica. Various music groups will be featured throughout the day, including an interactive drum circle, a Turkish folk music group, and the UALR Indian percussion ensemble.

Representatives from more than 25 campus and student organizations representing over 20 national cultures will distribute information and discuss career and volunteer opportunities throughout the world. In addition, UALR’s Office of Programs Abroad will be present to provide information about study abroad programs and other international opportunities.

A panel discussion that asks: “Is Islam a Threat?” will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, in the Leadership Lounge in the DSC. Panel participants reflecting on domestic, international, and legal aspects of the topic include:

• Joseph Giammo, associate professor of political science at UALR.
• Andrew Drummon, assistant professor of political science at UALR
• Murad Elsaidi, graduate of UALR in political science and graduate of the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law. He currently is teaching a class on Islamic law.
• Rebecca Glazier, assistant professor of political science at UALR

The panel will be moderated by Jacek Lubecki, associate professor political science and coordinator of Middle Eastern and International Studies at UALR.

An International Thanksgiving Dinner will be celebrated from 5 to 9 p.m. at the DSC. Students from around the world will gather for an evening of fun and relationship building.

The closing event of the week will be an interfaith dialogue lunch at noon Nov. 18, in DSC Room 205 G. To make reservations for this event, visit the International Celebration Week website.

For more information on International Celebration Week, sponsored by the Office of Campus Life, contact Dr. Gerald Driskill at 501-569-3158.