As you may know, this week is International Education Week (IEW) when we celebrate intercultural learning and SCU’s global community. IEW is federally designated by the U.S. Departments of Education and State to celebrate the importance of international education and exchange. You can participate in IEW by adding a recipe or cooking from our SCU Flavors Around the World cookbook, and by adding a song or listening to our SCU Music Around the World playlist. 

Also, faculty and staff are invited to host international students for Thanksgiving dinner this year, and can sign up through our Google Form by today, November 20. 

Your engagement with IEW connects with SCU’s strategic plan, Impact 2030, by creating a more globally-minded community and culture by celebrating intercultural exchange. At this time when discussions about international and transnational communities and cultures are at the forefront of international news, this celebration is more valuable than ever. Read more about SCU’s Strategic Priority One: Reach on a Global Scale, highlighting the importance of intercultural exchange in our community. Thank you for all you do to make SCU global!

Best,
Susan Popko
Associate Provost for International Programs

IEW Pickleball Tournament

Thank you to those who participated in the IEW Pickleball Clinic and Tournament on Sunday, November 17. Over 25 students and staff competed in a pickleball bracket in honor of International Education Week.

Announcing A New Gift for Study Abroad Scholarships

The Bruce and Laura Lee Endowment is growing. Thanks to the generous gift of Bruce and Laura Lee there are now three Bruce and Laura Lee scholarships for students with financial need to study abroad. The purpose of this endowment is to provide funding for students to participate in a global opportunity, and is awarded with a preference for students who receive financial aid. This academic year 84 students received over a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships to help them study abroad.

2024-25 Global Engagement Photo Annual Contest Opens December 1

All undergraduate and graduate students who participated in university-sponsored international travel, as well as all international students, are eligible and encouraged to submit photos. Photos must have been taken between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Our theme this year is SCU Goes Global. Show us the story of your international experience by submitting photos of yourself, other students, or important people on your journey abroad. Visit the Photo Contest web page for more information and how to submit.

Study Abroad Applications are Open

As a reminder, admission for study abroad applications is rolling this year. Applications opened on November 18 and close on December 5. Faculty and staff interested in learning more about the  admissions process can reference the Application Update webinar recording on YouTube. Students are encouraged to attend drop-in advising, and can find weekly schedules in Get Started Advising in Camino.

iExchange Pie Party 

Participants in the iExchange program, which matches faculty and staff with international students, are invited to a festive iExchange Pie Party this Friday, November 22, at 12PM. Join us in the Global Engagement Lounge in Aloysius Varsi Hall for a variety of seasonal pies and to connect with your iExchange partner(s). RSVP online.

Didn’t sign-up to participate in iExchange this year? Learn more and plan to join us next year.

International Student Workshops Supporting Internships and Career 

Did you know that SCU offers international students workshops on academic internships (Curricular Practical Training- CPT) and post-graduation employment (Optional Practical Training- OPT) on a regular basis to help students integrate their academics and career?  International students are encouraged to participate in upcoming workshops:

• December 3: CPT Workshop
• December 4: OPT Workshop

See more upcoming workshops and learn more about OPT and CPT on our website.

New University Travel Assistance Provider

Coming soon! A new University travel assistance provider for university-sponsored international travel will launch January 15, 2025. This new support structure aligns with Impact 2030 Strategic Goal 1: Reach on a Global Scale and will help support students, faculty, and staff while abroad. 

New Faculty/Staff Newsletter Supporting University-Sponsored International Travel

Our new resource Atlas, a newsletter supporting university-sponsored international travel, was launched this month. This newsletter provides a platform for resources and education to faculty and staff in departments and programs supporting student and group travel, particularly related to best practices in health, safety, and risk. If you are interested in receiving Atlas, subscribe through our Google Form.

MyiSCU: New International Student Support System Is Live

The new MyiSCU international student portal is live. Faculty and staff approvers will now receive emails linking to e-requests instead of PDF forms. MyiSCU resources, including an Approver Walkthrough, are available. This new international student support infrastructure contributes to Impact 2030 Strategic Priority 1: Reach on a Global Scale, supporting growth in SCU’s international student enrollment.

New Global Engagement Award for Faculty

Announcing our new Barbara Cassin Award for Excellence in Global Engagement for faculty, which will be awarded for the first time in 2024-25. The Barbara Cassin award recognizes outstanding faculty efforts supporting global engagement annually. All faculty, staff, and students are welcome to nominate faculty members for this award. Mark your calendar - nominations and self-nominations are due April 22, 2025. Visit our website for more information.

New Faculty/Staff Newsletter Supporting University-Sponsored International Travel

Are you or your department interested in learning more about supporting SCU students traveling abroad on university-sponsored travel including health, safety and risk? Subscribe to Atlas, our new newsletter about supporting university-sponsored international travel. Subscribe to Atlas

Want to know about SCU’s Global Profile? See SCU global data on our website.

November 2024

• November 18-22: International Education Week
• November 22: iExchange Pie Party

December 2024

• December 3: CPT Workshop
• December 4: OPT Workshop
• December 5: Study Abroad Applications Close
• December 7: Christmas in the Park