AUK hosts 5th Annual International Week

The Office of Student Life at The American University of Kuwait organized its 5th Annual International Week on March 7-11, 2010. International Week was a collaborative effort that included numerous and diverse events including informational booths represented by various countries' embassies, the Global Warming Forum, cultural foods, and traditional arts and clothing. 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 more personal development opportunities for students. 

The program was executed in association with AUK clubs and organizations such as the Diplomatic Club, MUN-AUK, Al Akhdar Environmental Club, and the Entrepreneurship and Business Club. A number of volunteer students joined forces with The Office of Student Life to ensure the smooth running of the diverse events that the week offered. 

Each day of the week was dedicated to a region of the world. The first day, Africa and the Arab World Day, saw representatives from a variety of African and Arab embassies in Kuwait participate in the Country Recourses Fair. The Participating countries include Niger, Sudan, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Other countries represented by AUK students included Qatar and Lebanon.

The second day was designated as Europe day. This day saw a variety of European countries' embassies partake in the Country Resource Fair. Representatives from countries like France, Germany, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland and Azerbaijan were all present on campus. Other countries represented by AUK students included Belgium, Spain, Italy and Armenia.

The third day, North and South America Day, witnessed representatives from the embassies of the United States of America, Canada and Argentina take part in the Country Resource Fair. In addition to these countries, Amideast Organization was also present on campus.  

The same day was host to The Global Warming Forum. This event involved a fruitful discussion presented by Dr. Lulwa Ali an Environmental Research Scientist from Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Ms. Sandra Al-Saleh Managing Partner of Equilibrium, Prof. Ralph Palliam AUK's Associate Professor of Business Administration, AUK's Prof. Ahlam Alaki -Assistant Professor of English and MUNAUK and Al Akhdar Environmental Club representatives. The discussion panel oversaw the effects of global warming and climate change from a scientific, social and economic stand point. 

Asia Day, saw representatives from a variety of countries embassies in Kuwait partake in the Country Resources Fair; countries included Russia, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Japan. During the Country Resources Fair, countries had the opportunity to represent themselves to a diverse body of AUK students, faculty and staff. This AUK body had the opportunity to ask the representatives from the various embassies a large array of questions related to the countries people, their history, culture and tourism. Representatives also offered informational presentations.

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 three winners were awarded prizes. 

The 5th Annual International Week provided various opportunities for students to interact and engage in meaningful experiential learning activities. This allowed them to deepen their understanding and appreciation of cultural differences. It also cultivated a sense of social responsibility to others, fostered cultural collaboration, and communication, as well as offered civic, personal, and organizational leadership.