Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in January

Contact: Korey Force
Two college students converse while sitting at a table.

CELCIS Conversation Circles are designed to help international students make connections with other students and to practice conversational English with native speakers.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the extended Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in January. Highlights include global lectures, the National Day of Racial Healing and opportunities to help international students learn conversational English.

Opportunities to get globally engaged are published weekly at wmich.edu/global/events by WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education. 

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January 2018 opportunities

Saturday, Jan. 6

  • "Anansi and the Pot of Beans" performance—2 to 3 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo, presented by Rootead. Join Rootead in bringing this classic African folktale to life through drum, song and dance. Free and open to the public.  

Monday, Jan. 8

  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Tuesday, Jan. 9

  • "Meditation for Clarity and Insight" course—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Jewel Heart Buddhist Learning Center. This eight-week course is designed to help those new to meditation learn techniques in mindfulness and concentration. Free and open to the public. 

Wednesday, Jan. 10

  • "Food in China: Successes and Challenges in the World's Largest Market" talk—2 p.m. in the Heining Emeriti Lounge in West Walwood Hall, hosted by the Emeriti Council. The talk will be given by Dr. Ann Veeck, professor of marketing at WMU. Free and open to the public. 
  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class which focuses on African dance encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public. 

Thursday, Jan. 11

  • "Last Summer in Paris" film screening—6:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Kalamazoo filmmaker Chuck Bentley tells the story of four young scholars and their two-day adventure in the city of Paris before classes begin. Museum admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students; open to the public. 

Monday, Jan. 15

  • National Day of Racial Healing—all day events, hosted by Kalamazoo Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation. The National Day of Healing is an opportunity for people, organizations and communities to call for racial healing, bring people together in their shared humanity and take action together to create a more just and equitable world. Events vary; free and open to the public. 
  • "Addressing Threats to Justice, Climate, Civil Rights and World Peace: A Day of Learning and Action" teach-in—10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bernhard Center, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The teach-in will feature discussions of threats to justice, climate, civil rights and world peace, and will be led by various WMU professors. Free and open to the public. 
  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Tuesday, Jan. 16 

  • "Meditation for Clarity and Insight" course—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Jewel Heart Buddhist Learning Center. This eight-week course is designed to help those new to meditation learn techniques in mindfulness and concentration. Free and open to the public. 

Wednesday, Jan. 17

  • College of Arts and Sciences Study Abroad Expo—11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Brown Hall Lobby, hosted by Study Abroad and the College of Arts and Sciences. Check out short-term, faculty-led study abroad opportunities for CAS students over spring, summer and winter recesses. Free and open to the public.
  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class which focuses on African dance encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public. 

Thursday, Jan. 18

  • College of Education and Human Development Study Abroad Expo—11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Sangren Hall Atrium, hosted by Study Abroad and the College of Education and Human Services. Check out short-term, faculty-led study abroad opportunities for CEHD students over spring, summer and holiday recesses. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Jan. 19

Monday, Jan. 22

  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.

Tuesday, Jan. 23

  • College of Health and Human Services Study Abroad Expo—11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the CHHS Atrium, hosted by Study Abroad and the College of Health and Human Services. Check out short-term, faculty-led study abroad opportunities for CHHS students over spring, summer and winter recesses. Free and open to the public.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Meditation for Clarity and Insight" course—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Jewel Heart Buddhist Learning Center. This eight-week course is designed to help those new to meditation learn techniques in mindfulness and concentration. Free and open to the public. 

Wednesday, Jan. 24

  • "The Easiest Conversation on Race" speaker—11 a.m. at 4240 Student Commons, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 6767 W. O Ave., Kalamazoo, hosted by Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Join guest speaker Dar Mayweather, CEO of Good Mayweather Consulting, in a discussion on race. Free and open to the public. 
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class which focuses on African dance encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public. 

Thursday, Jan. 25

  • CELCIS conversation circle (women only)—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Jan. 26

Monday, Jan. 29

  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the fourth-floor reception area of Ellsworth Hall, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • Afro-modern dance class—5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead and Dancemakers Initiative. Join the class to learn about the basic Katherine Dunham technique which combines African and Caribbean styles of movement. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public.
  • "Ordinary Men? Perpetrators, Bystanders and Victims in the Holocaust" talk—6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Oshtemo Branch Library, 7265 W. Main St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. The talk will be given by Dr. Eli Ruben, professor of history at WMU. Free and open to the public. 

Tuesday, Jan. 30

  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center Bronco Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students. Join students learning English in relaxed conversation about local and social topics. Free and open to the public.
  • "Meditation for Clarity and Insight" course—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Jewel Heart Buddhist Learning Center. This eight-week course is designed to help those new to meditation learn techniques in mindfulness and concentration. Free and open to the public. 

Wednesday, Jan. 31

  • Community African dance class—7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rootead Enrichment Center, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Rootead. This community class which focuses on African dance encourages the entire family to attend. First class is always free, $10 for non-members; open to the public. 

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.