Global Reach

On Saturday, Oct. 17, UNC Charlotte hosted a large crowd of visitors on campus for the 40th installment of its International Festival, and thousands more experienced the wonder of the festival via a live webcast.

This annual event featured the traditional offerings of art, costumes, games music, dance and food representing cultures from around the world. New for 2015, in recognition of the festival’s four decades, the Office of International Programs introduced a lively procession of nations and a celebratory fireworks presentation.

Joël Gallegos, assistant provost for international programs, and Christina Sanchez, associate director of international programs, will appear on the Oct. 15 edition of “The Live Wire,” Inside UNC Charlotte’s streaming webcast. Starting at 2 p.m., they will discuss UNC Charlotte’s 40th annual International Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17.

The 40th International Festival will be Saturday, Oct. 17.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of UNC Charlotte’s International Festival, which will continue a campus tradition of celebrating the region’s vibrant and culturally diverse landscape. New for 2015 are Festival Fun Days, in recognition of the festival’s four decades, the Office of International Programs (OIP) is introducing the fun days to further engage the campus community during the four weeks leading up to the Oct. 17 festival.

The Office of Education Abroad is hosting its annual Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 30, on the plaza between the College of Education and the College of Health and Human Services.

Students will have the opportunity to speak with Office of Education Abroad staff members to learn how to start the study abroad process; they also will have the chance to connect with UNC Charlotte study abroad alumni.

Nearly 550 new international students have begun their studies at UNC Charlotte, making this year’s class of incoming learners the University’s largest global contingent to enroll at the start of any semester.

In total, the University is hosting about 1,900 international students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees or who are here for shorter cultural exchanges that is in addition to language training students. This places UNC Charlotte among the top 125 institutions in the United States in terms of international student enrollment.

After a decade at Northern Kentucky University, Beth Lorenz decided to seek a new professional opportunity. The search led her to UNC Charlotte’s Office of Education Abroad, where she serves as assistant director.

It’s been about 15 months since Lorenz’s arrival in the Queen City, and she continues to explore her new home.

Jane Hamilton-Merritt, author of “Tragic Mountains: The Hmong, the Americans and the Secret Wars for Laos, 1942-92,” will be the featured guest for the Asian American Lecture Series “Voices for Change.”

This free, public event includes a lecture by Hamilton-Merritt at 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, in the Cone University Center, McKnight Hall. On Thursday, March 19, there will be a panel discussion with the author, Hmong American veterans of the “secret wars” and Hmong American youth born and raised in the United States, starting at 10 a.m., in Cone Center’s McKnight Hall.

UNC Charlotte will hold its 10th annual campus recognition of International Women’s Day (IWD) from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Thursday, March 26, in the Student Union, Room 340.  

This annual event includes historical information and recognition of faculty, staff and students who have been nominated for their impact on the lives of women locally and globally. Nominations are accepted online through Wednesday, March 11.

Bojan Cukic, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science, will discuss biometrics and privacy in the digital age as the fourth speaker in the 2015 Great Decisions lecture series.  This free, public presentation is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, at UNC Charlotte Center City.