International Education Week

7 – 8 pm
Sundaes on Sundays
Global Commons

Join Dr. Sandy Marshall, faculty in residence in the Global Neighborhood, and his family for ice cream, games, conversation, and community-building! More details and other Global Neighborhood events can be accessed here.

5 – 6 pm
Study Abroad Student Panel
Global Commons 103

In collaboration with Elon’s Isabella Cannon Global Education Center (GEC) and the International and Global Studies (IGS) program, the Arabic Language Organization invites you and your students to a study abroad panel featuring students who spent the spring of 2025 in Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, and Spain.  We are excited to hear them talk about their experiences abroad and answer questions that the audience may have for them.

1 pm
Exploring Roots & Horizons: West African Dance & Drums
Medallion Plaza by Lakeside (rain location – Mosely McKinnon Hall)

Catch the beat! Elon’s Beginning African Dance class presents an energetic performance with live drumming, celebrating the rhythms and culture of West Africa. Organized by the Elon Dance Performance & Choreography Program.

Intercultural Global Competency Digital Badge Drop-In Office Hours
4-5pm
Irazú Coffee Shop

Want to learn more about Elon’s new Intercultural Global Competency Digital Badge? Stop by with questions and for conversation with Dr. Elena Schoonmaker-Gates, chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures, and Dr. Andrea Sinn, Director of Elon’s International and Global Studies Program. All Elon students are welcome to complete this Digital Badge. For more information, check out the Badge requirements here: https://www.credly.com/org/elon-university/badge/intercultural-global-competency.

4:15 pm
French Faculty & Staff Conversation
The Oak House

Please join the French faculty and staff for casual conversation in French. Open to all Elon faculty and staff at ALL language levels.

6 – 7:30 pm
Global Neighborhood Dinner: “Connecting Cultures through Cuisine”
Global Commons

Planned in coordination with Campus Dining, the Global Neighborhood Dinners are monthly community meals with conversations between students, faculty, staff, community members, and/or special guests. More details and other Global Neighborhood events can be accessed here.

11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Polyglot Lunch
Lakeside Dining Hall

Hosted by the Department of World Languages and Cultures, these weekly lunches invite the Elon community and friends to practice speaking the languages they are learning in a welcoming setting. All Elon faculty, staff, and students are welcome to join. More details about the fall 2025 Polyglot lunch series can be found here.

3:30 – 4:30 pm
Carlton Coffee
Lobby of Carlton Commons

Enjoy coffee and snacks with friends and faculty of the World Languages Department.

3:30 pm
Vamos a la cocina!
El Centro Kitchen, Carlton

This is El Centro’s hands-on cooking series designed to celebrate and share the rich culinary heritage of LatinX/Hispanic cultures. Each session focuses on creating traditional dishes while fostering community and cultural appreciation. RSVPS are required to attend. Sponsored by El Centro. Click here for more details regarding this and other Elon University Hispanic Heritage Month events.

Latin American Studies Film Series: Water for Life
2 – 3:40 pm
Turner Theatre, Schar Hall

Water for Life.  Dir. Will Parrinello. USA, 2023. 91 mins. In English and Spanish with English subtitles. As part of the Latin American Studies film festival, “Water for Life” is a documentary that follows Indigenous activists in Latin America as they face death threats and murder to save their precious water resources from mining and hydroelectric projects. The screening will be introduced by Dr. Fede Pous, Associate Professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Cultures.

9:50 – 10:20 am
Numen Lumen + GEC International Coffee Hour
Numen Lumen Pavilion

During International Education Week, the weekly Numen Lumen Thursday Inspiration will be combined with the GEC’s International Coffee Hour, featuring a theme that aligns with IEW. More details can be found on the Truitt Center for Religious & Spiritual website.

2:30 – 4 pm
Japanese Tea Tasting and Lecture with Dr. Robert Hellyer
McBride Gathering Space

Professor Robert Hellyer from Wake Forest University will give a talk on Japanese tea and engagements with the U.S., over cups of sencha, genmaicha, and houjicha. Open to the Elon community; Elon faculty interested in bringing a class should contact Dr. Pamela Runestad at prunestad@elon.edu.

Amici dell’Italia (Friends of Italy)
4 – 5 pm
113 Carlton Commons

Dr. Janet Myers, who taught in Florence for a semester at Elon’s center program, will share her experience of teaching and living there. This event is made possible by the generous support of the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center and the Italian Studies Program.

6 – 7 pm
Perspectivas Deliberative Dialogue
El Centro, Carlton

An educational program focusing on student perspectives and deliberative dialogue, in collaboration
with Kernodle Center. Sponsored by El Centro and the Kernodle Center for Civic Life. Click here for more details regarding this and other Elon University Hispanic Heritage Month events.

6:30 – 8 pm
Community Dinner with Our New Neighbors
McBride Gathering Space, Numen Lumen Pavilion

A welcoming gathering that brings together families from refugee backgrounds, Elon students, faculty and staff, campus groups, and community partners to share a meal and learn about the support and resources available for people with refugee backgrounds across Elon University and the broader Burlington and Alamance County communities. The event fosters community connection, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding in a respectful, inclusive, and culturally and linguistically diverse setting. Co-sponsored by the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education and the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center.

7 pm
Peaceful Forest Taiko Drumming
Whitley Auditorium

Sponsored by Departments of Asian Studies, Sociology & Anthropology, International & Global Studies, Isabella Cannon Global Education Center, and the Elon Core Curriculum.

Takumi Kato is a world champion Taiko drummer from Japan who performs alongside his three children. Their ability to infuse events with vibrant energy and joy creates connections with their audience. Currently touring in the United States, Peaceful Forest hopes to complete appearances in all 50 states in the coming year.

12:30 – 1:30 pm
Capoeira, Afro-Brazilian Martial Arts Dance
Medallion Plaza (Rain Location: Moseley Center)

Choose your own participation adventure, whether to observe or to engage with the game of Capoeira Angola amongst your community. This event will offer guided movement for beginners, embracing live musical instruments, Portuguese language, and communication through fun, light-hearted physical interactions, honoring Afro-Brazilian Roots.

2 pm
Dedication of Toshio Sato Commons
Great Hall, Global Commons

Join President Book and other members of the Elon community in the renaming of Global Commons to recognize Toshio Sato, Elon University’s first international student graduate. A reception will follow.

6:30 – 7:30 pm
Late Night Cafe con Leche with ELHAN
El Centro, Carlton

The  Elon Latinx/Hispanic Alumni Network (ELHAN) is hosting a late night cafe con leche for an opportunity to network with other Latinx/Hispanic community members. Sponsored by ELHAN and El Centro. Click here for more details regarding this and other Elon University Hispanic Heritage Month events.

9 – 10 am
Global Flow Yoga
Center of the Performing Arts, Studio A

Start your morning with Global Flow Yoga, a grounding and energizing session open to all members of the Elon community, including alumni visiting for Homecoming. Space is limited, so RSVP in advance. Co-sponsored by the Department of Performing Arts and the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center.