Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in November

Contact: Raine Kuch

International students gathered around a large, stuffed panda bear.KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the extended Kalamazoo community will offer numerous global engagement opportunities in November. Highlights include El Día De Los Muertos exhibits, the Women's Caucus and International Education Week.

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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November 2018

Thursday, November 1

  • El Día De Los Muertos, interactive exhibit—7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the second-floor of Waldo Library, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the WMU Department of Spanish. Day of the Dead, a multi-day celebration most strongly associated with Mexico, is a tradition that honors friends and family members who have died and offers support for their spiritual journeys. Free. 
  • "Women Also Know Stuff: Supporting and Promoting Women in the Academy" Caucus lunch—12:30 p.m. location TBA, hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences. Presented by Dr. Christina Wolbrecht from Notre Dame University. Free; registration required. 
  • 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.
  • "Women in Politics After 2016" Women's Caucus—3 p.m. location TBA, hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Christina Wolbrecht will look at the gender gap in the 2016 election, women's activism, and women running for office since 2016. Free; registration required. 
  • Islamophobia and the Politics of Muslim Identity in the U.S—5:30 p.m. at the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership, 205 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo College Arcus Center. Arsalan Iftikhar is an international human rights lawyer, global media commentator and author of the book Islamic Pacifism: Global Muslims in the Post-Osama Era. Free; RSVP required. 

Friday, November 2

  • El Día De Los Muertos, interactive exhibit—7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the second-floor of Waldo Library, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the WMU Department of Spanish. Day of the Dead, a multi-day celebration most strongly associated with Mexico, is a tradition that honors friends and family members who have died and offers support for their spiritual journeys. Free. 
  • 2018 Summit on Racism—9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Borgess Hospital Lawrence Education Center, 1521 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, hosted by the Society For Historical and Racial Equity (SHARE). An important venue bringing the community together for open dialogue regarding race and to create solutions to eradicate racism. Free.
  • The Movie "Coco"—4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library Alma Powell Branch, 1000 W Paterson St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. Enjoy this wonderful family film about young Miguel who embarks on a spectacular quest to uncover his family’s history and honor their traditions. Free.

Saturday, November 3

  • El Día De Los Muertos, interactive exhibit—10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the second-floor of Waldo Library, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the WMU Department of Spanish. Day of the Dead, a multi-day celebration most strongly associated with Mexico, is a tradition that honors friends and family members who have died and offers support for their spiritual journeys. Free. 
  • Dia de los Muertos Family Concert—2 to 3 p.m.  at the Kalamazoo Public Library Alma Powell Branch 1000 W Paterson St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. Day of the Dead celebration concert for the entire family. Free.

Sunday, November 4

  • El Día De Los Muertos, interactive exhibit—noon to 2 a.m. on the second-floor of Waldo Library, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the WMU Department of Spanish. Day of the Dead, a multi-day celebration most strongly associated with Mexico, is a tradition that honors friends and family members who have died and offers support for their spiritual journeys. Free. 

Monday, November 5

  • El Día De Los Muertos, interactive exhibit—7:30 to 2 a.m. on the second-floor of Waldo Library, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the WMU Department of Spanish. Day of the Dead, a multi-day celebration most strongly associated with Mexico, is a tradition that honors friends and family members who have died and offers support for their spiritual journeys. Free. 
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center 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.

Tuesday, November 6

  • El Día De Los Muertos, interactive exhibit—7:30 to 2 a.m. on the second-floor of Waldo Library, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the WMU Department of Spanish. Day of the Dead, a multi-day celebration most strongly associated with Mexico, is a tradition that honors friends and family members who have died and offers support for their spiritual journeys. Free. 
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center 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.
  • Ladies Sports Club—2:30 to 3:30 at the Student Recreation Center, hosted by International Student Activities. Exercise with women from around the world through yoga, body strength training, and more. Classes will meet at 2:25 at the Student Recreation help desk prior to each meeting: Free. 
  • Pizza & Pages: Native American Heritage Month—6:30 to 7:30 at the Kalamazoo Public Library Oshtemo Branch, 7265 W Main St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library. We will be reading "Pemmican Wars: a Girl Called Echo" by Katherena Vermette. Read it and come back to talk about it with pizza! Registration required; free.
  • Stages on the Path to Enlightenment—7 to 8:30 p.m.  In the People's Church Room 9, 1758 N Tenth St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the People's Church. Ongoing class on a Tibetan Buddhist text that lays out an extensive road map to spiritual understanding and fulfillment. Free.

Wednesday, November 7

  • 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.
  • "In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S Global Power," ethics book club—4 p.m. at Water Street Coffee Joint, 3037 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, hosted by the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society. Dr. William Santiago-Valles, WMU associate professor emeritus of Africana studies, will be leading discussions of Alfred McCoy's novel. Free: Registration required. 

Thursday, November 8

  • 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.
  • Truth: Lara Blanchard—6:30 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S Park St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the University Center for the Humanities. Images of beautiful women have historically been a significant subgenre of Chinese painting, but most of the painters were male, constructing idealized female figures from a distinctly gendered perspective. In contemporary China, women artists such as Cui Xiuwen have used their work to explore women’s subjectivity and women’s objectification. Free.

Friday, November 9

  • Entrepreneurship Forum—8 a.m. at 2150 Schneider Hall, hosted Haworth College of Business. This forum features Jesus Grillo, founder of Nueva Opinion, and brings his story of entrepreneurial and startup success to the greater Kalamazoo community. Free; registration required. Breakfast at 7:30.
  • "Plato's Dialogues of Definition: What is Socrates Looking For" talk—5 p.m. at the Bernhard Center Room 157, hosted by the Center for the Study of Ethics, the Department of Philosophy, Graduate Student Association, and Visiting Scholars and Artists Program. Talk will be led by Justin C. Clark, assistant professor of philosophy at Hamilton College. Free

Saturday, November 10

  • Dominican Night- International Education Week—2 to 5 p.m. at the Trimpe Building Multicultural Center, hosted by the Dominican Student Organization. This event is part of International Education Week, a nationwide initiative to encourage international education.  Free.

Sunday, November 11

  • Pakistani Saqafat Night- International Education Week—3 to 6 p.m. at the Bernhard Center, rooms 208-209, hosted by the Pakistani Student Association. This event is part of International Education Week, A nationwide initiative to encourage international education. Free.

Monday, November 12

  • International Education Week—Monday Nov. 12 through Friday, Nov. 16. A joint Initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education in efforts to promote programs that prepare students for a global environment.  
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center 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.

Tuesday, November 13

  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center 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.
  • Chinese Movie Night- International Education Week—3 to 6 p.m. at Sangren Hall room 4510, hosted by the Confucius Institute at WMU. This event is part of International Education Week, A nationwide initiative to encourage international education. Free.
  • Moving Toward Cultural Humility: A Lifelong Process—5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Adrian Trimpe Multicultural Center, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Haenicke Institute for Global Education and the Office of Precollege Programming. Participants are invited to engage with a panel of campus community members on the topic of cultural humility. Free.
  • Fall Lecture Series: Saudi Arabia—7 to 8:15 p.m. in the Grand Valley University, Seidman College of Business Multi-purpose Room, 50 Front Ave, SW Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. This talk about Saudi Arabia will be led by Dr. Abdullah Alrebh from Grand Valley State University. $15 per event or $30 for series pass. 
  • Stages on the Path to Enlightenment—7 to 8:30 p.m.  In the People's Church Room 9, 1758 N Tenth St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the People's Church. Ongoing class on a Tibetan Buddhist text that lays out an extensive road map to spiritual understanding and fulfillment. Free.

Wednesday, November 14

Thursday, November 15

Friday, November 16

  • Chinese Language Tables—noon to 1 p.m. in the Bernhard Center lower-level dining area, hosted by the Confucius Institute at WMU. Chinese Language Table's offer a free opportunity  to practice Chinese skills by easy conversations  and interesting activities. Free.
  • The Culture Shuffle- International Education Week—7 p.m. at the Valley 1 Hadley Lounge, hosted by the Global Languages and Learning Community . This event is part of International Education Week, A nationwide initiative to encourage international education. Free.

Saturday, November 17

  • Malaysian Night Market- International Education Week—6 to 9:30 p.m. in the Bernhard Center East Ballroom, hosted by the Malaysian Student Association. This event is part of International Education Week, A nationwide initiative to encourage international education. Free.

Monday, November 19

  • RaceTalk Panel—1 to 3:30 p.m. in the Adrian Trimpe Multicultural Center, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Students will have the opportunity to listen to diverse human experiences that are similar and vastly different to their racial experience; additionally, this model provides opportunities to ask questions that students may not have felt comfortable enough to articulate about race before. Free.
  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center 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.

Tuesday, November 20

  • CELCIS conversation circle—2 to 3 p.m. in the Bernhard Center 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.
  • Fall Lecture Series: Yemen—7 to 8:15 p.m. in the Grand Valley University, Seidman College of Business Multi-purpose Room, 50 Front Ave, SW Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. This talk about Yemen will be led by Dr. Gamal Gasim from Grand Valley State University. $15 per event or $30 for series pass. 
  • Stages on the Path to Enlightenment—7 to 8:30 p.m.  In the People's Church Room 9, 1758 N Tenth St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the People's Church. Ongoing class on a Tibetan Buddhist text that lays out an extensive road map to spiritual understanding and fulfillment. Free.

Wednesday, November 21

  • 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.

Thursday, November 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.

Monday, November 26

  • 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.

Tuesday, November 27

  • 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.
  • Ladies Sports Club—2:30 to 3:30 at the Student Recreation Center, hosted by International Student Activities. Exercise with women from around the world through yoga, body strength training, and more. Classes will meet at 2:25 at the Student Recreation help desk prior to each meeting: Free. 
  • Reading Race Book Group—6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library Alma Powell Branch, 1000 W Paterson St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Public Library and the Society for History and Racial Equity. In November, we’ll discuss "White Rage: The Unspoken Truth about Our Racial Divide" by Carol Anderson. "White Rage" will add an important new dimension to the national conversation about race in America. Free.
  • Stages on the Path to Enlightenment—7 to 8:30 p.m.  In the People's Church Room 9, 1758 N Tenth St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the People's Church. Ongoing class on a Tibetan Buddhist text that lays out an extensive road map to spiritual understanding and fulfillment. Free.

Wednesday, November 28

  • 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.
  • "Globalisms and South Asian Literature" Research Briefs in Global Studies—4 to 5 p.m. in the Knauss Hall Humanities Center, hosted by the Global and International Studies Program. This talk will be led by Todd Kuchta and Nathan Tabor about South Asian fiction and geography. Free.

Thursday, November 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.

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