Director’s screening of ‘The Dialogue’ to highlight International Education Week

International Education Week, Nov. 16-20, is an opportunity to showcase global activities at UNC Charlotte through a series of events. A highlight of this observance is a screening and discussion of the documentary “The Dialogue” with director Arnd Wächter at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the Student Union Theater.

“The Dialogue” is a film that follows four American and four Chinese university students as they travel together through Hong Kong and Southwest China. According to Crossing Borders Films, the students explore their backgrounds and learn cross-cultural communication skills, and their shared travel adventures, the emotion of culture shock, honest confrontations and discoveries about each other become doorways to deepen their understanding of the world, of themselves and of styles of communication that are able to bridge cultural differences. This event is sponsored in part by the Chancellor’s Diversity Challenge Fund.

Additional International Education Week events include globally relevant discussions, workshops and presentations for students, staff and faculty.

Students are encouraged to engage around global topics for a chance to win prizes at interactive language and trivia tables in the Student Union each day or to connect with other globally minded students at the International Coffee Hour.

Bistro 49 will feature a different cultural cuisine each day during the University’s IEW observance, and South Village Crossing will host international cooking demos and tastings throughout the week.

A number of campus units are participating in International Education Week, including Chartwells; Department of Computer Science; Department of Languages and Culture Studies; the Department of Global, International and Area Studies; Mu Chapter of Phi Beta Delta; Office of Religious and Spiritual Life; Multicultural Resource Center; Counseling Center; College of Health and Human Services; and the College of Education.

IEW, nationally, is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. During this week, UNC Charlotte’s Office of International Programs promotes programs that encourage faculty, staff and students to explore the significance of education abroad.

“Research, collaboration and service across the globe results in a knowledge exchange that enriches the community around the world,” said Roslyn Lewis, communications coordinator for OIP. “International Education Week at UNC Charlotte is a unique opportunity for faculty, staff and students to develop a broader understanding of world cultures and languages.”