International Education Week highlights the benefits of international education and exchange.
Elon will celebrate International Education Week from Oct. 5–11, 2025, with a campus-wide series of programs exploring this year’s theme, “Connecting Cultures, Enriching Health & Well-being.”
Hosted by the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center (GEC) and campus partners, the week invites students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to examine well-being through cross-cultural and interdisciplinary lenses.
International Education Week highlights the benefits of international education and exchange. Elon’s celebration aligns with the university’s HealthEU priorities and its comprehensive approach to global engagement.
Major collaborators include HealthEU, the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education (CREDE), World Languages and Cultures, the Global Neighborhood, the Center for Research on Global Engagement (CRGE) and International & Global Studies (IGS).
Week-at-a-glance
A complete, continuously updated schedule appears on the International Education Week website. From kick-offs to capstones, this year’s schedule features a mix of cultural, academic and community-building events.
Highlights include:
- Exploring Roots & Horizons: West African Dance & Drums (Oct. 7)
- French Faculty & Staff Conversation at the Oak House and a Global Neighborhood Dinner on “Connecting Cultures through Cuisine” (Oct. 7)
- Polyglot Lunch and Vamos a la cocina! at El Centro plus a Latin American Studies Film Series screening of Water for Life (Oct. 8)
- A Japanese tea tasting and lecture with Professor Robert Hellyer from Wake Forest University (Oct. 9)
- Amici dell’Italia, Perspectivas Deliberative Dialogue, and Peaceful Forest Taiko Drumming (Oct. 9)
- The Dedication of Toshio Sato Commons with President Connie Ledoux Book and community members (Oct. 10)
- Late Night Café con Leche with ELHAN (Oct. 10)
- Global Flow Yoga during Homecoming weekend (Oct. 11)
Why it matters
IEW provides a focused moment to elevate global learning that happens across Elon every day – in classrooms, residence halls, student organizations and the Alamance County community.
“IEW provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on how global engagement strengthens our individual and collective well-being,” said Nick Gozik, dean of global education. “This year’s theme aligns closely with Elon’s HealthEU initiative by reminding us that well-being is not only personal but also intercultural.”
Elon continues to be a national leader in study abroad and Study USA participation as part of the Elon Experiences.
“This year’s IEW theme aligns perfectly with the HealthEU initiative and the institutional adoption of the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting University and Colleges taking place later in October,” said Anu Räisänen, director of HealthEU Initiatives. “IEW is a great opportunity to reflect on how each of us can have a role in promoting well-being locally and globally, which is one of the Calls to Action in the Okanagan Charter.”
Get involved
Most IEW events are open to the entire Elon community. Some programs require an RSVP or have limited capacity. Visit the IEW website for times, locations and updates. For questions, contact the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center at 336-278-6700 or visit Global Commons 360 during business hours.