With a student body that comes from more than 70 countries and a rich learning curriculum that brings diverse global perspectives into the classroom, St. Francis College is pleased to join higher-education institutions across the nation in celebrating this year's International Education Week (IEW) from November 16th to 20th.

SFC's schedule of IEW events is below.

SFC launched SFC International one year ago, reflecting the centrality of global learning to the institution's mission. The unit works to enroll more foreign students, develop additional opportunities for U.S. students to study abroad, cement relationships with foreign institutions and organizations, and enrich the academic curriculum and co-curriculum to help students understand their roles as global citizens.

"Whether domestic or international, no student can be truly prepared for a 21st century economy without contemplating and examining a world beyond his or her own national borders," said Reza Fakhari, Ph.D., SFC Vice President for Internationalization and Strategic Initiatives. "Our Mission at SFC International strives to ensure every international student is destined for success and each SFC student has a chance for meaningful global engagement through transformational college experiences at home and abroad that prepare them for the 21st Century global society and workplace."

As the current Chair of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), Dr. Fakhari leads strategy and oversight of the nation's largest human rights group in addition to fulfilling his SFC responsibilities. SFC recently established its first Amnesty International student chapter, and the College is developing a Human Rights academic curriculum in partnership with AIUSA.

Two hundred-and-fifty international students are part of SFC's student body this semester, nearly 10 percent of the total, and the 72 nationalities represented among them reflects a12.5 percent increase since spring 2020. In fall 2020, the College debuted Learning Communities so its 57international first-year students could take online classes with Zoom live instruction together, helping build camaraderie during the remote-learning period.

SFC students also benefit from the diverse global experts the College hosts in guest lectures and other events. SFC Forum on Migration, operating under SFC International, promotes scholarship, dialogue and advocacy about immigrants, migrants, refugees and asylees. Its inaugural day-long conferences in Spring 2019 brought together dozens of academics, authors and legal advocates for panel discussions and presentations that attracted hundreds of participants.

IEW is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of those agencies' efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.

IEW Events (visit sfc.edu/events for registration links)

Monday, November 16, 2020

Time: 2:00 PM EST

So you want an international internship? Opportunities and best practices from Brazil-based International Internship Provider Campus B

Panelists:

Dr. Daniel Benson, Director of Study Abroad

Bora Dimitrov, Manager of SFC International

André S. Siffert, Institutional Relations Manager, Campus B

SFC students are focused, diligent, and driven to exceed at SFC and beyond. Have you ever considered an international internship? Come to this workshop to learn about opportunities available through SFC International partner, Campus B. If you are not quite ready to apply, come learn about how virtual internships work, how to excel in an international company, and how to succeed as an intern!

Outcomes: Students will learn about international internship opportunities from an international provider and will learn about how to excel in a virtual and international internship.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Time: 3:30 PM EST

U.S. Citizens: How to Apply for your Passport

While we are all socially distancing and abstaining from unnecessary travel, there is no better time to take initial steps to support future international experiences! If you are interested in pursuing study abroad, work abroad, or personal travels in the future, getting a passport is an important step! If you do not have a U.S. Passport yet, come to this workshop to learn about the application process and leave with a completed application.

Students will be able to identify the steps required to complete an application for a U.S. Passport. Students will leave the session with a completed application and clear direction for next steps

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Time: 3:30 PM

Co-sponsored by SFC Amnesty International Chapter

Human Rights in Crisis: How do we stop human rights violations by the US government at home and abroad?

Keynote Speaker: Zeke Johnson, Senior Director of Programs, Amnesty International USA

Zeke Johnson is the Senior Director of Programs at AIUSA. He leads the team of issue experts working to end urgent human rights abuses in the United States and around the world. He has represented the organization before the United Nations Committee Against Torture and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; testified before members of Congress about US drone strikes; served as a trial monitor of the military commissions at US Naval Station Guantanamo Bay; and served as a human rights observer in Standing Rock, Baltimore and Ferguson. His analysis has been cited by the AP, CNN, McClatchy, New York Times, NPR, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and other media.

Moderators:

Dr. Reza Fakhari

Vice President of Internationalization and Strategic Initiatives

Dr. Ken Mayers

Human Rights Education Expert and Activist

Esther Hassel

Administrative Assistant and Programming Specialist, SFC International

Join members and staff of Amnesty International USA for a discussion of the organization's human rights agenda for the next US administration and Congress--and what each of us can do to stop and ensure accountability for US human rights violations. Topics will include police violence, racial justice, Covid-19, mass incarceration, including by ICE, the climate crisis and the forever wars. Despite the gravity of the subject matter, we'll focus on solutions and celebrate the progress being made by Black, brown and Indigenous communities who are leading the movements for justice, equity, dignity and freedom.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Time: 3:30 PM EST

International Valedictorians: The Secret to Success

Moderator: SFCPresidentDr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz

Valedictorians

Vvrtko Vrdoljak

SFC BA in Economics '15, with minors in Political Science and Philosophy

Currently a Ph.D. candidate (4th year) in Political Science at Johns HopkinsUniversity

Dragana Dzigurski

SFC BA in Communications '16: concentration in English and Communications

Current Occupation: English Teacher

Kejsi Shkreta

SFC Business Management Major '18 with Minor in Marketing and Concentration in Finance

Current Occupation: Legal Recruiting & Placement

Sandra Raickovic

SFC BS/MS in Accounting '17

Current Occupation: Accounting

Join us in welcoming back some of our best and brightest alumni! What is the secret to success at St. Francis College? Moderated by President Miguel Martinez-Saenz, please join our conversation with four international valedictorians who are recent graduates of St. Francis College. What are they doing now? What experiences at SFC helped them launch their path of success? Join us for an afternoon of storytelling and learn about the key moments, influences, and transformational experience that led these four international valedictorians to incredible success as students at SFC and beyond.

Friday, November 20, 2020

Time: 6:00 PM

International Trivia Night

Calling all international and domestic students! Please join SFC International for a night of international trivia and competition! Our trivia questions have been developed in collaboration with our international student body, who are the experts in their home countries and the facts all global citizens should know! Learn something new, connect with likeminded students over Zoom, listen to international hits, and maybe even win a $50 Gift Card!