Event Ideas
Events under the IEW umbrella can range from the strictly academic to the social and lighthearted. Be creative! Consult the list below for inspiration or formulate your new idea.
And don’t forget…
Real-time video tools like Skype or Blue Jeans make it easier than ever to connect faculty and students who are working and studying abroad to colleagues in Boston. Consider a roundtable discussion with individual panelists joining virtually from all over the globe. Or team up with an IEW event being held in a different location – Boston or abroad – to host a live streamed viewing party and discussion where you are.
Education Abroad
Themes
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- Opportunities for study abroad (through BU)
- Experiences of students (just returned from study abroad)
- Impact of study abroad on faculty/staff lives & careers
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Types of Events
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- Study abroad fairs
- Panel presentations with discussion (with students and/or faculty as relevant)
- Virtual conversation with BU students currently abroad
- Online comment board
- Global Monologues (initial written competition for performances of 2–4 minutes)
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Global Knowledge, Including BU’s International Curriculum in Boston
Themes
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- Foreign languages
- Area studies
- “Comprehensive internationalization”
- The global classroom (internet exchange and virtual/distance learning)
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Types of Events
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- Foreign language conversation groups (lunch, coffee, other)
- Lectures and discussion (BU faculty)
- Open houses of relevant departments (foreign languages, areas studies centers, etc.)
- Quiz about other countries and cultures (online or other)
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BU’s International Community (in Boston)
Themes
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- Learning about other cultures represented at BU
- Acknowledging the global diversity of BU’s community
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Types of Events
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- Food and culture fairs, potluck, cooking demonstrations, bake sales
- Dance or music performances, art exhibits
- International radio content
- Parade of flags or national costumes
- Foreign film screenings
- Readings of favorite national poems
- Student presentations on culture and traditions of their country (with snacks/drinks)
- 15–minute language lessons (or “slang sessions”)
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Intercultural Communication
Themes
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- Common issues & building skills (like dealing with cross-cultural conflict or misunderstandings; dealing with culture shock)
- Understanding the foreign student experience at BU
- How to better integrate American and international students on campus
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Types of Events
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- Film screening and discussion
- Games
- Panel (e.g., living in dorm or abroad with student from another culture)
- Panel discussions (could be with humor—“strangest US custom”)
- Interfaith dialogue (series)
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Global Perspectives, Professional Experience
Themes
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- Major global topics (social, economic, political)
- Education outside the classroom (through volunteer/service experiences, research, etc.)
- Developing future opportunities (e.g., service learning) through BU or other
- Obtaining international funding/grants
- Major global topics (social, economic, political)
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Types of Events
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- Panel presentations with discussion (with students and/or faculty as relevant) (e.g., “Becoming a global change agent;” “What it takes to become a US Fulbright student/scholar”)
- Roundtable conversations
- Photo contest
- Lectures and discussion (BU faculty or invited guests, such as local consuls)
- Returned Peace Corps volunteers presentation (faculty, staff, grad students, alumni)
- International careers panel (alumni or local community speakers)
- International trivia competition (on international affairs, geography, world history, etc.) or photo quiz (open all week for submitting answers; prize at end to one with best answers)
- Information tables
- Keynote lecture
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