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Top 9 things to do at the 2018 International Festival

Feb 7, 2018
Two women perform at a prior International Festival
Two women perform at a prior International Festival.Photo courtesy of the IUPUI Office of International Affairs

Did you know that more than 140 nationalities are represented at IUPUI? Each year, the IUPUI International Festival celebrates the campus’s unique heritage with a lively combination of performances, food, lectures and exhibitors. Come to the Campus Center between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 14 to learn more about the home countries and cultures of IUPUI faculty, staff and students, along with a range of ways you can get involved globally at IUPUI. Here are nine reasons you can’t miss this year’s International Festival:

1. International performances

Iranian music, Indian dance, drumming and a reading of love poetry are just a few of the performances you can see and hear at the Atrium performance stage during the International Festival. Performances will run 11 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

2. Free food

Stop by the food booths in the Campus Center Atrium and Lower Level to warm up with a hot drink and sample international cuisine. You will be able to taste chakalaka from South Africa, beshparmak from Kazakhstan, kookoo sib zamini from Iran, paneer masala from India, horchata from Central America and Mexican hot chocolate.

3. International photo booth

Wish you were somewhere sunny and warm? Head into Barnes & Noble with some friends to transport yourselves with an international backdrop and props, and a bonus photo print for keeps.

4. Exhibitors

An exhibitor at International Festival
A bird’s-eye view of an exhibitor at a previous International Festival.Photo courtesy of the IUPUI Office of International Affairs

Looking to connect with an international student group, find a volunteer opportunity with a global nonprofit, or learn about majors and programs? Stop into the Campus Center between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to connect with 50-plus international campus and community groups.

5. “Hoping to Help” lecture by Judith Lasker

Going abroad this spring break or summer? Come to Campus Center Room 450A from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., when visiting author Judith Lasker will share insights on how to carefully consider the ethics and host community impact of your next international service trip.

Learn more about the talk

6. Win prizes with a festival passport

Work your way around the world by visiting different booths to get stamps on your 2018 Festival Passport. Attendees who turn in a completed passport will be eligible for prizes including water bottles and Barnes & Noble gift cards.  

7. World languages and cultures lecture series

Head up to the third floor of the Campus Center to hear global-themed lectures from IUPUI’s liberal arts faculty. Topics range from “Islamic art in Venice” to “Health care in Nigeria” to “Film censorship during the Franco regime.”

View the full schedule

8. Awards

Join Chancellor Nasser H. Paydar in the Campus Center Atrium at noon to honor faculty, staff and community partners who have championed study abroad and international partnerships at IUPUI.  

9. Find your country’s flag in the Campus Center 

The flag display, featuring 195 flags of the United Nations, runs until Feb. 19 in the Campus Center.

Learn more about the flag display

More information about the IUPUI International Festival and International Festival Week events is available online.

Mandy Bray is the Manager of International Information and Communications at the Office of International Affairs at IUPUI.

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