Week-long observance celebrates world diversity, programs – vigil planned

(November 16, 2015) –  A moment of silence for Nohemi Gonzalez and all the victims of the Nov. 13 Paris terrorist attack was held at 12:45 p.m. today during the International Education Week kick off at Fresno State.

Ms. Gonzalez, 23,  a design student at sister campus California State University, Long Beach from El Monte, was among the casualties of the Paris terrorist attacks Friday. In Paris attending Strate College of Design during a semester abroad program, she was the only American citizen killed in that attack.

At a vigil held at Long Beach campus Sunday, Chancellor Timothy P. White read poem a written for Ms. Gonzalez by U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera of Fresno. At Fresno State, President Joseph I. Castro ordered the campus flags flown at half-staff Saturday as soon as he learned the CSU student had died, a tribute which continued through Sunday.

The International Student Services and Programs, which coordinates this week’s annual commemoration, is planning a local vigil for Ms. Gonzalez and all terrorist victims for later in the week.  Details will be forthcoming.

The program leads Fresno State’s efforts in recruiting international students and supporting them with international admissions, transfer credit evaluation, immigration advising and advocacy.

At Fresno State, 929 international students are enrolled this semester with another 20 exchange students from the Craig School of Business, the American English Institute and Study Abroad.  Four students from France are currently enrolled at Fresno State this semester.

Today’s International Education Week kickoff at the University Student Union featured international music, candies and other freebies, games and a photo booth.

During the week, students can learn about international programs and attend cultural performances and workshops such as “living and studying in another country.”  

The week culminates with International Culture Night at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, in the Satellite Student Union.

The line-up includes (see calendar for updates):

Monday, Nov 16:

·         11:30 a.m. – International Education Week kick off (University Student Union)

Tuesday, Nov 17:

·         1 p.m. – Global Skills: Your Ticket to International Employment Workshop (University Student Union, Room 309)

·         2 p.m. – International Coffee Hour (Madden Library, Room 2206)

·         3:30 p.m. – CSU International Programs Application Workshop (Family and Food Sciences, Room 119)

·         5:30 p.m. – Diversity Dinner (Vintage Room)

Wednesday, Nov 18:

·         Noon – Teaching Without Borders (Madden Library, Room 3212)

·         Noon – Mini Language Lessons (University Student Union)

·         2 p.m. – Unplug for a Moment and Reconnect for a Lifetime (Madden Library second floor)

Thursday, Nov 19:

·         12:30 p.m. – Living and Studying in Another Country (TBD)

·         2 p.m. – Demystifying the Hijab (University Student Union, Room 30)

Friday, Nov 20:

·         5:30 p.m. – CineCulture: Even the Rain (Peters Education Center
Auditorium
)

Sunday, Nov 22:

·         7 p.m. – International Culture Night (Satellite Student Union)

For more information, contact 559.278.0333.


(University Communications news intern Ashley Cropper contributed to this report).

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