Gadsden State to Celebrate International Education Week

Taniesa L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News

Gadsden — Did you know that Gadsden State is home to the oldest English language institute in the Southeast? The Alabama Language Institute at Gadsden State attracts many students from other countries who want to gain a functional command of English. During the week of Nov. 14, Gadsden State is celebrating International Education Week and will be showcasing some of those students at cultural events planned for the week.

The Division of Languages and Humanities, Alabama Language Institute, and the Students Without Borders Student Club at Gadsden State Community College will celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide during International Education Week Nov. 14-18.

All events will take place on the Wallace Drive Campus and via Zoom.

All students, faculty, staff, and community are invited to join in the observance. Events are free and open to the public.

“The week builds support for cultural exchanges around the world,” said Elise Harbin, director of the Cardinal Tutoring Centers at Gadsden State. “IEW events are hosted to encourage all individuals interested in international exchange to learn more about the opportunities available. IEW also brings recognition to our international students at Gadsden State as well as showcases the value of internationalization. At Gadsden State, we are growing global Cardinals.”

Activities for the week include a Study Abroad session and two open house events.

The celebration will begin on Nov. 15 with “Study Abroad: Experiences and Opportunities” presented by Dr. Farrah Hayes, dean of Academic Programs, and Faith Dobbs, an international specialist at Gadsden State. It will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Room 126 of Allen Hall or via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86127395595.

International Open House events will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 on the ground floor of Naylor Hall as Global Cardinals from various countries share their cultures and languages. Light refreshments will be served.

“Different students will be participating each day of the Open House events in order to provide a variety of exposure to the range of diversity our students provide,” Harbin said. “For the fall semester, Gadsden State has at least 20 countries and more than 10 language groups represented on campus.

For more information on IEW, contact Harbin at eharbin@gadsdenstate.edu or 256-549-8285.

For more information on the upcoming events, visit https://www.facebook.com/alabamalanguageinstitute/.

Visit the International Education Week website at http://iew.state.gov/ for more details about national events being held during the week.

(Gadsden State Community College - Press Release)