What: International Education Week 2012 at the University of North Texas, sponsored by UNT-International. The week introduces World Street Party, a new event to celebrate global diversity through music, ethnic cuisine and international entertainment.

When: International Education Week events continue at UNT Nov. 12-17 (Monday-Saturday). World Street Party begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 (Monday).

Where: Various locations on the UNT campus. A full schedule of the week’s event times and locations can be found online.

Contact:  Mary Beth Butler, communications director at UNT-International, 940-369-5264

DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas will observe International Education Week for the 12th year in a row, celebrating the university’s commitment to providing students with knowledge about the world. The week is sponsored by UNT-International. Events will be held at various locations on campus Nov. 12-17 (Monday-Saturday).  

This year’s event highlight is UNT’s first World Street Party. The event begins at 6 p.m. on Nov. 12 (Monday) in the Silver Eagle Suite located in UNT’s University Union. The union is located at 1155 Union Circle. 

The World Street Party will be emceed by students, and will include performances by six international groups as well as the UNT International Band, comprised of former students of the Intensive English Language Institute.

Pierre Montocolombi, a chef in UNT’s Bruce Hall, will prepare an Indian-style buffet for the event.  

Student recipients of International Education Scholarships and winners of the Hot Shots from Hot Spots contest will be honored at the event. The annual competition is designed to encourage critical viewing of the people and places of other cultures during official UNT study abroad programs, to promote appreciation of the art of photography, and to increase awareness of international study opportunities for UNT students.

James Meernik, political science professor at UNT, and winner of the Citation for Distinguished Service to Internationalization given by UNT-International, will also be recognized, as well as Becky King, academic advisor in UNT’s College of Music, who is receiving the award for Exemplary Staff Support to Internationalization.

Free events open to the public during International Education Week include:

• Nov. 13 (Tuesday), 3-5 p.m.: Japanese Fall Festival on the Campus Green outside of UNT’s Sage Hall located at 1167 Union Circle. The event will feature taste testing booths, traditional games and cultural activities such as origami and calligraphy.  Information will be available about Japanese classes taught on campus as well as two UNT Japanese organizations.
• Nov. 15 (Thursday), 2-7:30 p.m.: Korean Festival in the Library Mall outside UNT’s Willis Library located at 1506 W. Highland Street. Attendees can sample Korean food, try on traditional clothing and participate in traditional Korean games. The festival will also feature a Gangnam-style flash mob as well as vocal and dance performances by members of UNT’s Korean Culture Exchange program.

This year’s events for International Education Week are designed to help students and others appreciate the cultures of Brazil, India, Japan, Korea and several Mediterranean nations. A full list of events is available online.

International Education Week was established by order of President Bill Clinton and was first celebrated in the fall of 2000; UNT began observing it that same year.

For more information, contact Mary Beth Butler, communications director at UNT-International, at 940-369-5264.