AUK Host 6th Annual International Week

The American University of Kuwait's Office of Student Life organized its 6th Annual International Week from March 6-10, 2011. International Week was a collaborative undertaking which had numerous and diverse events, such as The Diversity Fair, The Women Empowerment Workshop, the Globalization and the Changing World Forum, cultural food, traditional arts and clothing, and a Mini Football World Cup Championship. These events support the mission of the Office of Student Life by celebrating cultural diversity to reflect current issues in the world and by providing personal development opportunities for students. 

The program was executed in association with AUK clubs and organizations such as the International Club, Hope Club, L.E.A.D Program, and MUNAUK. A number of volunteer students joined forces with the Office of Student Life on the diverse events that the week offered. 

The first day, March 6th, was designated as Diversity day. The day saw a variety of country activities through the diversity fair along with embassy representation. In addition, Traditional Gulf, Egyptian, and African musical performances were enjoyed by the AUK community. The International Club of AUK organized this day's activities in collaboration with the Office of Student Life. On the same evening the AUK Film Club screened a diversity movie outside the Hangout Tent. The first day witnessed the Mini Football World Cup Championship kickoff that went on for the whole week. 

The second day, March 7th, was designated Kuwait & the World. The Hope Club of AUK in collaboration with the Office of Student Life organized this day's activities. The day focused on Kuwait's role in the region and its worldwide humanitarian activities where information booths displayed ways of giving hope for Egyptians and Tunisians. Hope Club invited Ms. Fatema Al-Boloushi, a Kuwaiti humanitarian activist as a guest speaker at the AUK Chat Series, to discuss her experience with volunteering in Kuwaiti society and internationally. A discussion was led on how the audience would define the act of volunteering. 

The third day, March 8th, celebrated International Women's Day. B.E.L.L.E Club of AUK organized a special event titled "B.E.L.L.E - of - the - Ball" which contained a number of activities for female AUK students. The day witnessed one of L.E.A.D Program workshops titled "Empowering Women". This event's intent was to engage AUK students in leadership experience in international settings and encourage them to develop their leadership abilities and believe in their capabilities. The panel explained the achievements of the speakers, the challenges they went through, and their advice to AUK students in general, and specifically to our female students to empower them. AUK Visiting Associate Professor of International Relations & History, Dr. Gholam Vatandoust, commenced the panel discussion by sharing his published paper "Study of Globalization and Kuwaiti Women". AUK Assistant Professor of English, Dr. Angelica DeAngelis, then spoke on "Self Empowering Women-Young Women Write the Future". Ms. Sahar Shawa, the Programme Analyst of United Nations Development program shared with the audience her life's journey with UNDP focusing on the agency efforts in defending women's rights. The panel also saw AUK Alumni Ms. Jawaher Ali Reda speak on how to empower women to influence the future and AUK student Ms May Omran spoke about women in action. 

Wednesday March 9th, was designated as Inter-Cultural Day, and hosted the "Globalization and the Changing World" Forum. It was led by two faculty members; Dr. Gholamreza Vatandoust and Dr. Aly Mansour and AUK student, Ms. Sarah Raji. They spoke of how innovations and progression of technology and the sharing of information have altered the world and how we live through a process called 'Globalization'. Ms. Raji opened the discussion by talking about social networking sites and their influence on society followed by Dr. Vatandoust's informative and enlightening speech on the process of Globalization titled 'Globalization & the Challenge of Democracy'. AUK's Associate Professor of Management, Dr. Mansour concluded the forum by discussing 'Arab Youth Role in Integrated Regional Projects'. The Model United Nations Club at the American University of Kuwait (MUNAUK) moderated this event which was organized by the Office of Student Life at AUK. 

On the last day, The Global Village Day, students were encouraged to celebrate cultural diversity. Students represented their culture through traditionally rich elements, such as food, music, and art. A competition was held for the best country representation where the best three student-run groups were awarded prizes. The Global Village Day activities also included a traditional dress competition where the best three winners were awarded prizes. 

The Mini Football World Cup Championship which commenced on the first day, concluded with 'Team Argentina' winning the final match. They were presented with medals and the Cup. 

The 6th Annual International Week was organized by Mr. Ayman Shouman, Student Engagement Officer of the Office of Student Life and provided various opportunities for AUK clubs, organizations and individual students to interact and engage in meaningful experiential learning activities. This allowed them to deepen their understanding and appreciation of cultural differences. The week highlighted the important role these differences play in the human experience. It also cultivated a sense of social responsibility to others, fostered cultural collaboration, and communication, as well as offered civic, personal, and organizational leadership .
 

 

Haban band
 

African Drums
 

Egyptian folklore
 

Ms. Fatema Al-Boloushi, a Kuwaiti humanitarian activist, with Mr. Ayman Shouman Hope Club of AUK advisor & Club Members
 

"Empowering Women" L.E.A.D Workshop facilitators, organizer & panel speakers
 

"Globalization and the Changing World" forum organizer, moderator, & panel speakers
 
Images from the Global Village
 

AUK Female student Sarah Raji representing Palestine
 

AUK students representing Lebanon
 

AUK Female student Lujain AbuZaid representing Tunisia
 

AUK students representing France
 

AUK female students representing France
 

"1st Place Best Country Representation contest" Palestine booth serving traditional food to AUK community during the Global Village Event
 

Presentation of Palestinian traditional wedding during the Global Village Event
 

Presentation of Palestinian traditional wedding during the Global Village Event
 

Presentation of Pakistani traditional outfit
 

Armenian booth during the Global Village Event
 

Presentation of Egyptian Birth celebration - Egyptians at AUK along with AUK community celebrated the birth of "January 25th Liberty"
 

Presentation of Egyptian Birth celebration - Egyptians at AUK along with AUK community celebrated the birth of "January 25th Liberty"
 

2nd Place Best Country Representation contest Pakistani booth during the Global Village Event
 

3rd Place Best Country Representation contest Egyptian booth during the Global Village Event
 

Best Traditional Outfit contest