International Education Week (IEW) recognizes the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. At The University of Texas at Austin, we mark this nationally celebrated initiative by showcasing global engagement through internationally focused programs, discussions, and events across campus. IEW will take place from November 17-21, 2025.
Here are some of those events: (view the full list of events online, here)
Join ISSS and UHD for a festive International Education Week Kickoff Breakfast! Connect with students, scholars, and faculty from around the world, enjoy a buffet breakfast, and learn about IEW events happening all week.
Thank you to University Housing and Dining for sponsoring this event!
Building Intercultural Skills Workshop Series
Dates:
Grasping (at) Culture: What is it and How Do I Know?”
Mon, Nov 17, 5:00 – 6:00 pm Workshop #2: “Cultural Break-down: Peering Into Dimensions of Culture” Tues, Nov 18, 5:00 – 6:00 pm Workshop #3: “Cultural Transition: How to Manage Stress From Change?”
Thurs, Nov 20, 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Cultural competence is a skillset and mindset that you can learn for the rest of your life. Living and studying in different cultures creates an opportunity to grow in these areas, but culture
Courtesy of Texas Global
is everywhere (and underlies more than we realize!) In this reflective and practical series, you will build a solid foundation to understand your own culture and how to engage effectively and appropriately across cultures.
Space is limited. You may select from any workshop in the series, but attending all three is encouraged.
Workshop #1 – Grasping (at) Culture: What is it and How Do I Know?
In this interactive workshop, we do a couple activities and simulations that explore the questions:
What is culture?
How might my culture affect how I live, interact, react, and communicate?
What may be happening out of my awareness?
How can I become more aware of my culture?
Courtesy of The Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team & Texas Global
The Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team invites you to their weekly practice, where you can learn about the fundamentals and culture of lion dance and watch them perform!
This session will inform international students about the proper usage of their medical insurance, including how to access care, understand their benefits, and navigate the claims process.
Gain a deeper understanding of key contemporary works of art during this public tour. A trained gallery teacher will guide you through works by contemporary artists, providing context and insights behind the artworks on display. This tour will feature works in the Blanton’s collection and from the Contemporary Project.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the tour. The tours can accommodate a maximum of 25 people on a first come, first serve basis. Please check-in with the Visitor Services Desk to secure your place.
You’ve likely heard about or seen the game Backgammon- also known as tawla, tavla, shesh besh, and takhteh, among other names. Join the Middle Eastern Studies faculty and community for Tea & Tawla, a fun hour of learning, gaming, and sipping tea! You will hear about the history and cultural significance of Backgammon in the Middle East, then learn the rules and play the game together.
Building Intercultural Skills Workshop Series
Workshop #2 – Cultural Break-down: Peering Into Dimensions of Culture
Cultural competence is a skillset and mindset that you can learn for the rest of your life. Living and studying in different cultures creates an opportunity to grow in these areas, but culture is everywhere (and underlies more than we realize!) In this reflective and practical series, you will build a solid foundation to understand your own culture and how to engage effectively and appropriately across cultures.
Space is limited. You may select from any workshop in the series, but attending all three is encouraged.
Workshop #2 – Cultural Break-down: Peering Into Dimensions of Culture
In this informative workshop, we will discuss a framework for describing dimensions of culture, such as individualism vs. collectivism, indulgence vs. restraint, and low vs high power-distance. We will look at how they may show up in different national cultures, and reflect on relative differences and similarities between US and other cultures. This workshop is helpful for anyone who wants to understand their own or others’ cultures more.
Join the Texas Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA) for an interactive dance class where their officers will teach students and members choreography styles within the SOCA genre of music. Join them for this opportunity to meet the organization and spread their culture in a fun and inclusive method!
Join the Harry Ransom Center for a 45-minute, focused tour on three historically significant, international collection items at the Ransom Center, including the Gutenberg Bible, Niépce Heliograph, and Frida Kahlo’s “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird”. Explore these works and learn more about the Ransom Center’s collecting and research mission.
Looking for a fun and meaningful way to meet new people from around the world? Join us for ELC Talk Time, a weekly event where UT students and community volunteers chat with English Language Center (ELC) students to help them practice everyday listening and speaking skills.
Each week features a new topic to spark engaging conversations and cultural exchange. No teaching experience needed—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to talk!
Join the Department for Middle Eastern Studies for the Arabic Language Table! The Arabic Table is an opportunity for Arabic students and speakers to practice their language skills in an informal setting.
The Department of Radio-Television-Film and Latino Media Arts & Studies present a screening of IN THE SUMMERS, followed by a conversation with filmmaker Alessandra Lacorazza and RTF Assistant Professor Iliana Sosa. The screening will start at 5:30 pm, and the conversation will immediately follow.
Thursday:
Public Tour – Spirit & Splendor: El Greco, Velázquez, and the Hispanic Baroque
Join this guided tour to learn more about Spirit & Splendor: El Greco, Velázquez, and the Hispanic Baroque. Featuring 57 masterpieces from the esteemed collection of The Hispanic Society Museum & Library, Spirit & Splendor traces a 150-year history of Spanish painting that culminates with the Baroque, a style characterized by dramatic realism, opulence, and religious devotion. Through close looking and conversation, we will make meaningful connections to the works of art on display. Learn more about the show on the “Spirit & Splendor” exhibition page.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the tour. The tours can accommodate a maximum of 25 people on a first come, first serve basis. Please check-in with the Visitor Services Desk to secure your place.
Cultural competence is a skillset and mindset that you can learn for the rest of your life. Living and studying in different cultures creates an opportunity to grow in these areas, but culture is everywhere (and underlies more than we realize!) In this reflective and practical series, you will build a solid foundation to understand your own culture and how to engage effectively and appropriately across cultures.
Space is limited. You may select from any workshop in the series, but attending all three is encouraged.
Workshop #3 – Cultural Transition: How to Manage Stress From Change?
In this final workshop of the series, we’ll discuss the idea of “culture shock” as simply a form of stress from transition. We’ll share stories and strategize about how to work through transition stress using a helpful framework. This workshop is helpful for anyone experiencing stress from change (everybody!)
Join ISSS for an International Open Mic Night at the iconic Cactus Café! Share your talents—whether music, poetry, comedy, or storytelling—or simply enjoy performances from students and scholars around the world. Celebrate creativity, community, and culture in a cozy Austin landmark.
The Turkish Tea and Conversation Hour is an informal gathering that facilitates Turkish speaking practice and friendships among members of the UT community who are Intermediate, Advanced or heritage/native speakers of Turkish. All UT students, faculty and staff who speak Turkish at the Intermediate level or higher are welcome!
Afro-Latin Student Association – Film Screening: Eliane
The Afro-Latin Student Association (ASA) invites you to join us for a special short film screening showcasing works from different Latin American countries. This event celebrates the rich African cultural heritage that continues to shape Latin American identities, histories, and artistic expressions.
Come watch, learn, and engage in conversation about the African presence in Latin America and its impact on contemporary culture!
Join fellow international students and scholars for a relaxed urban hike along Congress Avenue! We will be meeting at the South Congress H-E-B (accessible from the 1 or 801 bus- Oltorf Station (SB), Stop ID: 4046), then we’ll walk back together toward campus. Along the way we’ll pass specialty shops, the Congress Bridge, the Texas Capitol grounds, and plenty of restaurants and local sights.
The Korean Program in Asian Studies is proud to present the Fall 2025 Korean Film Screening Series! Join us for the film screening of Painted Fire (2002) directed by Im Kwon-Taek. This acclaimed drama chronicles the life of nineteenth-century painter Jang Seung-eop (Owon), whose groundbreaking style transformed Korean art.
Light refreshments will be provided along with a brief introduction to the historical background of the film. The film will conclude with an engaging group discussion.
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