by Yijing Shen, Media Relations intern

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Nov. 14, 2019 — West Liberty University celebrates diversity with a month of events every November and this year there are more active ways to learn about other cultures.

“The international education month allows the global community to be able to share their cultures with the West Liberty community. It’s also a way for U.S. students to actively participate in a workshop or dance demonstration instead of just hearing about it in a lecture,” said Ryan Glanville, coordinator of international programs and recruiting.

Kicking off with Chilean born Canadian Dr. Felipe Rojas’s Dia de Muertos on Nov. 1, the international education month received greater engagement with faculty members this year.

Dr. Rickard Briggs will have The Frugal Traveler presentation at 4 p.m., today at Fine Arts Building. Professor Moonjung Kang from South Korea will offer Yui Nori and other Korean games next Monday.

“There’s also an International Initiatives taking place next week. It’s a study abroad programming for students and faculty members. There will be a collaborative online international learning between different universities,” Glanville said. “We have something for everyone, that’s the hope. For the athletic type, for the culinary fan, for academic purposes — we are trying to have a  good mix.”

The International Office offers different schedules each year based on the home countries students. New exchange students Elmira Babaeva and Rasimia Lakupova from Russia will offer Russian pancake workshop next Monday, Nov. 18.

“Students are having classes all the time, so it’s nice to have something that is more hands-on. They go home for the weekend and tell their families what they have learned,” Glanville said. “We want to create memories and for them to share.”

Music as a world language is especially popular among students. Music Education major Hunter Ramser, who is a first-year student from Martins Ferry, Ohio enjoyed performing African drum and dance with international students last week.

“I liked to perform for the audience, it was a really good experience,” he said. “Especially African music as being a communal art, it’s really fun to play this type of music with others. That’s actually how I first got my experience into African music, from the honor festival last year, when Professor Greco pulled me out of the audience.”

The World Music Concert with WLU’s African Drum & Dance and Steel Band Ensembles, under the Direction of Professor Mitch Greco, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 24  in College Union.

Below is the list of events yet to come, with times and location:

Thursday, Nov. 14

• 11 a.m. – Shoes for Socialization, Professor Ashley Krieger, alumni room
• Noon – Brazilian Portuguese 101, Ana Pegoraro, alumni room
• 4 p.m. – The Frugal Traveler, Dr. Rickard Briggs, alumni room

Friday, Nov. 15

• 11 a.m. – Nepali 101, Adwit Lamichhane, alumni room

Monday, Nov. 18

• 11 a.m. – Russian Pancake Workshop, Elmira Babaeva and Rasimia Lakupova, alumni room
• Noon – Yut Nori and other Korean Games, Professor Moonjung Kang, alumni room

Tuesday, Nov. 19

• 3 p.m. – International Tea Time, Hosted by the International Center and Spices International Student Club, College Union

Wednesday, Nov. 20

• 11 a.m. – International Transgender Day of Remembrance (Quad-weather permitting)
• 2 p.m. – Visit Nepal 2020, Adwit Lamichhane and Umesh Nepali, alumni room
• 7 p.m. – Japanese Movie Night, Megumi Maruta, Inter Faith Chapel social room

Thursday, Nov. 21 Day of Japan, Megumi Maruta and Serena Smith:

• 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. – Japanese Arts & Crafts: Origami, Main Hall 190
• 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Japanese Sushi and Takoyaki Making Workshop, Interfaith Chapel social room
• 2 to 3:15 p.m. – Chopstick Challenge/ Calligraphy Workshop, Main Hall 190
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Training for Faculty and Staff, alumni room

Friday, Nov. 22

• 2 p.m. – Cricket Demonstration, Adwit Lamichhane (Quad-weather permitting)

Sunday, Nov. 24

• 5 p.m. – World Music Concert under the direction of  Professor Mitch Greco, College Union

For more information, contact Glanville at ryan.glanville@westliberty.edu or 304.336.8382.