International Education Week

Since 2017, the University of Richmond has promoted the value of deeper connection to non-US cultures through International Education Week (IEW), part of a national effort to highlight the importance of global engagement, dialogue, and cultural exchange. During IEW at Richmond, our Spider community comes together to learn about a chosen country through multiple lenses, including the lens of sustainable living. We work with faculty, students, staff, partner organizations abroad, and the Richmond community to promote classes and talks given by visitors from the country, the annual Ecochallenge created by the Office for Sustainability, and cultural activities.

Through IEW we hope to encourage stronger ties among our diverse community and curriculum to expand the breadth and depth of shared knowledge and understanding. Past IEWs have seen more than 300 campus members adopt new, sustainable behaviors that, for example, saved 3,340 gallons of water in a year when Cape Town suffered drought. We have also been glad to see this engagement result in increased interest in study abroad in non-traditional locations. IEW also brings the highest attendance in UR history for special D-Hall dinners featuring authentic foods of the region of study, and visits to campus by scholars, activists, diplomats, and study abroad partners.