Fort Hays State University celebrates International Education Week (IEW) each November.\u00a0This annual celebration highlights\u00a0global diversity, advances\u00a0cross-cultural understanding, gives voice to the perspectives of our\u00a0international students,\u00a0and\u00a0enhances\u00a0the educational experience for the entire campus community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
International Education Week is more than festive gatherings; it celebrates humanity. Students from around the globe come together to share their customs, languages, and traditions. This fall, our on-campus international student enrollment includes 200 students from 45 different countries. As part of this intentional community, all students are encouraged to explore and appreciate the cultural mosaic that enriches their lives and learning experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amadou Diawara, a first-year MBA student from Dakar, Senegal, is a prime example of the transformative journey fostered by FHSU. \u201cI initially joined FHSU as part of the first cohort from Dunis Dakar, a partner university in Senegal,\u201d Amadou shares. \u201cThe welcoming environment and strong academic support drew me in, and the opportunity to study locally and abroad is invaluable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nurturing cross-cultural ties opens doors to understanding and collaboration on a global scale, Amadou\u2019s aspirations extend beyond his time at FHSU; he hopes to return to Senegal after gaining U.S. work experience and apply his newly acquired skills to develop startups that can positively impact his community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lucas\u00a0Billinger\u2019s\u00a0path to FHSU is equally inspiring. Hailing from Linz, Austria, Lucas is in his third year at the university, pursuing\u00a0a degree in finance and\u00a0an education that once seemed far from his reach.\u00a0\u201cIf you had asked the 16-year-old me if I wanted to study in another country, I would have said no,\u201d\u00a0he reveals.\u00a0\u201cBut after my military service, I\u00a0was uncertain about my next steps.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Encouraged by his father\u2019s colleague\u2019s son\u2019s experiences, he considered studying in the United States. \u201cAfter some reflection, I realized that if I didn\u2019t take this chance now, I might never get another opportunity.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After extensive research, FHSU emerged as the perfect fit.\u00a0\u201cIt checked every box on my checklist,\u201d\u00a0he recalls, highlighting the\u00a0university\u2019s\u00a0welcoming atmosphere and\u00a0vital support services.\u00a0\u201cAnd when I saw how affordable it was compared to other U.S. schools, my decision was solidified. As an international student, that was incredibly important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lucas\u2019s journey at FHSU has profoundly changed his outlook\u2014one that he publicly credits to his supportive parents and the International Office, who have guided him through this transitional period. \u201cThe support I\u2019ve received has been exceptional. I truly appreciate everything they\u2019ve done to help me navigate this journey,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students like Lucas thrive in campus activities, from joining friends at soccer games to immersing themselves in the cultural diversity fostered by events during IEW. \u201cMy experience here has been amazing,\u201d he declares with enthusiasm. \u201cGO TIGERS!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
International students\u00a0also\u00a0contribute economically to FHSU and the surrounding community\u2014paying tuition, participating in local businesses, enriching the local culture\u2014and\u00a0fostering\u00a0an atmosphere of cross-cultural exchange essential in\u00a0today\u2019s globalized world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through interactions with their peers, they gain invaluable interpersonal skills that\u00a0employers\u00a0seek in future leaders. The diverse perspectives brought to classroom discussions stimulate creativity and encourage critical thinking. Amy Liu, a\u00a0master\u2019s student from China, elaborates on this point:\u00a0\u201cCross-cultural experiences challenge us to think critically, and they inspire innovative approaches to problem-solving,\u201d\u00a0she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The robust partnerships FHSU has built over decades reinforce its commitment to global education, fostering collaboration that enhances its international profile. These efforts lead to unique study-abroad opportunities and cooperative research initiatives that further enrich the educational landscape for all students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Amy Liu, the memories created during IEW remain profoundly uplifting. \u201cThe celebration made me feel connected to my roots while surrounded by friends from various backgrounds,\u201d she shares. \u201cIt reminds me of the joy of sharing my culture and learning from others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The vast array of events planned during IEW emphasizes the importance of global citizenship and its impact on each individual\u2019s worldview. By engaging with diverse cultures, students deepen their understanding of international issues and develop empathy\u2014qualities crucial to fostering cooperation in today\u2019s complex global landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of IEW celebrations emphasizes that education is a universal passport. Preparing to meet the challenges of an interconnected world continues to shape FHSU as it nurtures students equipped to thrive in diverse environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The university\u2019s commitment extends to empowering all students with the tools to navigate various global challenges. Amadou notes, \u201cUnderstanding the interconnectedness of our world equips us to create positive change, whether in America or back in Senegal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both Amadou and Lucas underscore the meaningful contributions of international students to campus life. Stories of resilience, ambition, and cultural pride exemplify the ideals celebrated during International Education Week, highlighting the importance of a supportive educational environment that values and fosters global cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I appreciate most about IEW is\u00a0the connections that bring students closer together, reinforcing the idea that while their journeys\u00a0may have originated\u00a0in\u00a0different corners of the globe, they are united by a shared purpose: to learn, to grow, and ultimately, to make a difference in the world.\u00a0With a spirit of cooperation and cultural sharing, IEW provides a space where every student can find their place, fostering a community that supports growth, empathy, and understanding\u2014one story at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tisa Mason is president of Fort Hays State University.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fort Hays State University celebrates International Education Week (IEW) each November.\u00a0This annual celebration highlights\u00a0global diversity, advances\u00a0cross-cultural understanding, gives voice to the perspectives of our\u00a0international students,\u00a0and\u00a0enhances\u00a0the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37698,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12323,55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-83589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-life","category-opinion"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Mason-Tisa-040A6662.jpg?fit=750%2C1050&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=83589"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83589\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":83590,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83589\/revisions\/83590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37698"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=83589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=83589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=83589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}