Governors State University is celebrating International Education Week.
From Nov. 17 – 21, GovState will be embracing the global community, learning from one another, and celebrating the cultures, traditions, and experiences that make the university truly international.
Monday, Nov. 17 was Cultural Attire Day. The campus came alive with beautiful colors, patterns, and traditional outfits from around the world. From sarees to dashikis, from hanboks to embroidered kurtas, the hallways were filled with stories of heritage, identity, pride, and home.
Students, faculty, and staff wore their culture with honor, reminding us that diversity isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we live and celebrate together.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 featured Name Writing, where participants’ names took on new features as they were written in Japanese, Hindi, Telugu, and other beautiful scripts used around the world.
A simple name became a piece of art — a bridge between language and identity.
The Study Abroad Fair provided details about how students could travel to learn, opening the door to global experiences — from faculty-led trips to volunteer programs to semester exchanges.
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, there will be a demonstration of Henna Art from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the D Atrium.
Participants can experience the beauty and meaning behind traditional henna designs. Step into centuries of tradition as skilled artists adorn your hands with stunning henna designs. Each swirl and pattern represents joy, beauty, celebration, and cultural tradition from South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
From 3 – 4 p.m. in D2401A, learn how to create a resume that speaks internationally.
This session teaches you how to present your skills in a way that resonates across countries, industries, and cultures.
There are several events on the schedule for Thursday, Nov. 20.
From 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the ARC Cove, GovState will become a global village. Students and international representatives will showcase traditions, artifacts, music, dances, and stories from their home countries. Learn, taste, listen, and engage — all while celebrating the richness of cultures from around the world. Expect delicious snacks too… a literal taste of global diversity!
On Friday, Nov. 21, wrap up the week with an inspiring virtual panel from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. about Living and Working Abroad featuring faculty and staff who have lived in countries around the world.
They’ll share personal experiences of adapting to new cultures, navigating professional environments abroad, and growing through global challenges. It’s a session for anyone dreaming of an international career.
But International Education Week is more than a schedule of events — it is a celebration of unity, storytelling, discovery, and global citizenship. It is a reminder that every culture enriches our community and every voice matters.
This week invites all of us to:
✨ Learn something new
✨ Ask questions
✨ Celebrate differences
✨ Share our stories
✨ Embrace the world beyond our borders
GovState is not just a university. It is a global family.
And this week, our world gets a little closer, a little brighter, and a lot more connected.