International Education Week
International Education Week (IEW) is a nationwide celebration of international education and exchange. Join us November 16—21, 2026, as we celebrate the cultures, experiences and perspectives that make our USF community vibrant and interconnected.
This year’s theme, Borders to Bridges, invites us to build meaningful connections across cultures and experiences by creating space for community, dialogue, and belonging. Through this year’s events, we hope students, staff, and faculty feel seen, valued, and represented while discovering something new about one another and the diverse cultures that shape our community. Together, we can transform the borders that separate us into bridges that bring us closer.
Monday, November 16
| Event | Date | Location | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CGE Open House | 11/16/2026 | LMM 340 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | The Center for Global Education Office will be open all day to answer your study abroad questions. Stop by throughout the day to play trivia games, win prizes, and more. |
Tuesday, November 17
| Event | Date | Location | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totes Going Global: Sip, Color and Discover your next Global Immersion | 11/17/2026 | McLaren 250 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Join us for a flavorful and creative afternoon at our Bon App Food Pop-Ups and Craft Club kickoff event! Visit the Market Cafe during International Education Week to experience a mini world tour through Vietnam, India, and the Philippines. While you snack, check out the Craft Club table to make your own luggage tag! Bring your friends, bring your appetite, and bring your creativity. See you there! |
| Tai Chi Workshop with Mike Ng | 11/17/2026 | McLaren 250 | 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM | This Tai Chi Workshop will be led by Dr. Mike J. Ng, a local San Franciscan (and a USF grad!) who has been teaching wellness through the martial arts for several years. This class will be suitable for practitioners of all levels, including beginners. Also note that Dr. Ng’s teachings will be directed toward students in HONC 303: Global Humanities. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. This event is free and open to the public! |
| Forgotten Island: Friendship Bracelet Making | 11/17/2026 | Lo Schiavo Getty Study | 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM | Inspired by the 2026 film set in the Philippines, Forgotten Island, Philippine Studies and Asian Pacific American Studies are hosting a friendship bracelet making event to bring culture, community, and crafting to campus. In honor of International Education Week, we invite all USF students, faculty, and staff to engage with themes found in the film such as the preservation of cultural identity through memory, the celebration of friendship, and the significance of multiculturalism in education and art. |
Too Cool for Hot Noodles: A Build-Your-Own Asian Chilled Noodles Workshop | 11/17/2026 | UC Market Cafe, Samba Station | 3:30 - 4:30 PM | Craving a bowl of fresh noodles? Join the Center for Asia Pacific Studies’ Asia Bridge junior fellows and Bon Appétit to learn how to craft a Vietnamese-style vermicelli bowl. This is a guided workshop, and all ingredients will be provided. A vegetarian option will be available. Come meet new people and feast on your own creation! |
Wednesday, November 18
| Event | Date | Location | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Global Lunch and Learn: USF Staff Social | 11/18/2026 | UC Faculty/Staff Lounge | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Calling all USF Staff! Join us in the Faculty/Staff Lounge with your own lunch or purchase a meal. Enjoy a relaxed opportunity to get to know fellow staff and build community. Since this social is taking place during International Education Week, it will be global and international themed! Drop in anytime during the event — we'd love to see you there! |
Job Success Strategies for International Students | 11/18/2026 | McLaren 252 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM | Former international students return to USF to share their personal stories of success in finding jobs in the U.S! Great opportunity to network with international alumni and get information from those who are currently working in the U.S. Event co-organizers: Career Services |
| LUNA Friendsgiving | 11/18/2026 | Kalmanovitz Hall 367 | 7:00 PM | This event is a chance for everyone to come together and celebrate cultural diversity through food and community. Feel free to bring a favorite dish to share while learning about the different cultures that we have here at USF! |
Beats by Diaspora | 11/18/2026 | UC 4th Floor Lounge | 7:30 - 9:00 PM | Join BASE during IEW for Beats by Diaspora! It is a karaoke and community night centering Black international students through the sounds of Afrobeats and Amapiano. Come sing, dance, and celebrate the music, culture, and connections of the African diaspora. |
Thursday, November 19
| Event | Date | Location | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Global Perspectives on Sport & Social Justice | 11/19/2026 | Sobrato Club | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | How does sport create belonging across cultures—and where can it also reinforce inequality? Members of USF's Sports & Social Justice Series delegation will also share reflections from their recent experience at the Sport at the Service of Humanity Conference and community visits in New York/New Jersey. RSVP here and reach out to Mauricio for more information, mdiazdeleon1@usfca.edu |
Cafe International: Escape Room | 11/19/2026 | McLaren 250 | 7:00 - 9:00 PM | You're a traveler exploring the world, but your passport has been stolen! Solve puzzles about the world to find your passport and escape the room! |
Friday, November 20
| Event | Date | Location | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
International Friendly Soccer Match | 11/20/2026 | Negoesco Field | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
| Join us for the International Education Week (IEW) International Friendly Soccer Game! The event will be a casual, drop-in style game. We look forward to celebrating IEW with you! RSVP here |
Saturday, November 21
| Event | Date | Location | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Culturescape | 11/21/2026 | McLaren | 6:00 - 9:00 PM | Join us for Culturescape 2026: Beyond the Map, USF’s vibrant cultural showcase presented by the International Student Association (ISA)! Get ready for a night of delicious cultural foods, captivating performances, fun games, unforgettable memories with friends and a raffle! Come dressed in your cultural wear if you’d like, and share a piece of what makes you unique! Beyond the Map is a celebration of YOU, your culture, your roots, and the beautiful diversity that brings us together. Come hungry, bring your friends, and join us for a night of culture, connection, and celebration! Buy your tickets here. This event is funded by the ASUSF Student Activity Fee |
All Week, November 16-21
| Event | Date | Location | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
International Education Week Library Display | All Week | 2nd Floor, Gleeson Library | All Day | Visit our display on all things International Education. The display covers topics on international education, books recommended for international students, international cuisine and dance, and USF study abroad programs! |
| Photo Contest | All week | Online | Submissions open on Oct. 26 and close on November 1. Online voting will be from November 9 - November 15 (midnight). Winners will be announced via email and the website during IEW
| Students and faculty/staff are encouraged to submit a photo from a place outside of their home country that fits into one of the submission categories and ties with this year's theme of #BorderstoBridges. Up to two photos may be submitted. USF community will vote on their favorite, and the photo with the most votes from each category will win a prize. |
Taste of the Countries: Bon App International Menu and Pop Ups | All Week | Market Cafe | Lunch and Dinner | Visit the Market Cafe's Bon Appétit Pop Up Stations during International Education Week to experience a mini global tour through India, China, and the Philippines (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Celebrate USF’s top international student cultures all week! Pop Ups:
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International Education Week 2026 Committee Members
Paulina Belloso (Study Abroad Advisor, Center for Global Education)
Kenya Cabilan (Program Assistant, Center for Global Education)
Ann Le (Assistant Director, The Cultural Centers)
Mirei Shi (CC Intern, The Cultural Centers)
Paulina Ponsmeyer (Graduate Assistant, International Student and Scholar Services)
Sydney Low (Program Assissant, International Student and Scholar Services)
Marielle Lyons (International Student Advisor, International Student and Scholar Services)