“I chose to study at Saint Mary’s because of this field school.” This remark from a student attending an Ancient Studies information session was to set the tone for International Education Week this year, affirming the importance of student mobility in fostering a “World Without Limits” at Saint Mary’s University.
This annual showcase, which included 19 events organized by students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members, came to a close with the 14th annual Stories from Overseas event, capping off ten days of thoughtful discussion and reflection. “Although it is commemorated in more than a hundred nations and territories around the world each year, International Education Week feels particularly special here at SMU, where internationalization and intercultural learning are so deeply woven into our institutional ethos,” said Miyuki Arai, Director of the Global Learning Office.
Many of this year’s sessions were hosted and attended by visiting international exchange students as well as outbound and returning Saint Mary’s students, all of whom participate in workshops hosted by the Global Learning Office year-round. Many of these sessions are led by Global Skills Opportunity Ambassadors as part of a project funded by the Government of Canada through Employment and Social Development Canada. Two of this year’s cohort of Ambassadors, Rita Andraous and Hanieh Azizi, agreed that finding facilitators to host International Education Week events this year was easy. “Our only challenge was coordinating so many events!” said Rita. Now that the five-year GSO project is winding down, “this year was also an opportunity to reflect on how the Global Learning Office was able to promote amazing study abroad opportunities and provide support for low-income students, students with disabilities, and Indigenous students,” said Hanieh.
More information
Visit the Global Learning webpage to learn more about SMU’s international mobility opportunities for students, staff, and faculty, and be sure to check the SMU Events calendar to find out about events hosted by the Global Learning office.
International Education Week 2024 Highlights
