The State of South Caucasus celebrates cultural interaction

The events recognize the diversity of cultures represented by students, faculty and staff on campus. as well as the university’s many connections around the world.

“Every day we can learn from each other and make the world a happier place,” said Dr. Leary Luke, Director of SA State’s Office of Global Engagement. “By making a deliberate effort to listen to and understand people from different backgrounds, we learn to appreciate and accept the traditions of our fellow men and value treating them as brothers and sisters.”

With this in mind, this year’s theme of “Uniting Across Cultural Boundaries” will be highlighted through programs and events planned for November.

The celebration began Friday with a North Indian cooking class and cultural exhibit at S.C. State’s Staley Hall. The event was timed to coincide with Diwali, also called Diwali, one of the main religious festivals of Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism, which is celebrated throughout the world.

Key events for the upcoming International Awareness Month

International Discussion Session: 2:00 pm in Lewis Laboratory Building 105-B. “Reflections on Studying Abroad in Germany and Spain,” featuring students Josiah Stroman and Dahanique Leiseth, who studied abroad last summer.

International Discussion Session: 2:00 pm in Belcher Hall. 237. “Serbia”, featuring Luka Stefanovic, Vanja Petrov, Novak Novakovic, Teodora Vujicic and Danica Nedeljkovic.

International Discussion Session: 11:00 a.m. in Moss Hall 106. “Muslim Culture,” featuring Fulbright Scholar Maryam Aldai.

National Flag Parade and Opening Ceremony, 12:15 p.m., from Martin Luther King Jr. Hall to the Fine Arts Building lobby.

“Coming to America: Professional and Personal Experience,” 11 a.m. in Belcher Hall 407. Starring: Dr. Renu Singh (India), Dr. Dior Konate (Senegal), Dr. Leary Luke (Trinidad and Tobago), Professor Joseph Onyecha ( Nigeria) and Carlos Bonfim (Brazil).

Leaving America: Student Reflections on Cultural Immersion Trips to Africa and the Caribbean,” 1 p.m., location to be determined. Starring: Rejoice Analae, Jayvion Snow, Taryn Sparkman, Eunice Eleke and Barry Fogle.

Passport Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Belcher Hall, Room 207. Apply for or renew your passport with staff at the Charleston Passport Center, open to the public. Register using the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/MejV1Fk8Ae. The Office of the President will pay for 200 passports for students at the Passport Fair, and the Office of Civil Service and Agriculture will pay for passports for all Ag Innovation and USDA fellows.

Project Presentation: International Student Handbook, 5:00 p.m. in Belcher Hall. 132. “International Whistleblowers” present: Rijous Anaele, Kishiem Bush, Simon Claiborne, Deirdre Gilliard, Jasmine Henderson, Olivia Ratliff, Luka Stefanovic and Gerald Wilson.

SC State welcomes and integrates people from all countries into the Bulldog family and has Memorandums of Understanding with universities in Africa, the Caribbean and South America. The university’s international students come from at least 19 countries, and the university’s faculty and staff come from many other countries.

South Carolina State has an active program to encourage its students to take cultural immersion trips abroad and participate in study abroad experiences before graduation.

These events and initiatives reflect the university’s commitment to global engagement. They also contribute to the institution’s mission of producing highly skilled, competent and socially aware graduates who will enable them to work productively and live in a dynamic global society.

For more information about International Awareness Month and the South Carolina Office of Global Engagement, contact Luke at 803-536-7903 or [email protected].