International Education Week
International Education Week 2025
International Education Week (IEW) promoted by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is celebrated throughout the United States and many countries around the world. IEW provides an opportunity to recognize international education, cultural understanding, and exchange worldwide for all UTRGV members and our surrounding community. This year will be celebrated November 17 -21, 2025.
IEW is a unique way for UTRGV to internationalize our campus and promote the concept of global citizenship to our students, which in turn helps prepare them for the global workforce of today. Events are planned with the following learning outcomes in mind:
- Help students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for diverse world cultures.
- Create cultural opportunities for international and domestic students to interact.
- Allow international students to share information about their home country.
Opening Ceremony - Monday, November 17
Edinburg - ESSBL Visitor's Center; 11:00 a.m.
Join us as we launch International Education Week with an inspiring Opening Ceremony. We will acknowledge and celebrate two special guests for their commitment to global engagement, sustainability and education:
- Mrs. Maria Leonard
Assistant Professor of Practice, Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, UTRGV - Dr. Justin Velten
President, Go Culture International
Monday, November 17 | Bridging Worlds: A Roundtable on Cultural Competency and Cultural Shock in U.S. Academia
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus ESTAC 1.112
Time: 3:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Led by Dr. Carley Dodd, this session invites faculty and researchers to engage in a focused conversation on:
- Cultural competency in higher education and professional settings
- Experiences and challenges of cultural shock when researchers and professors come to the United States
- Strategies to foster successful adaptation and cross-cultural engagement
This roundtable provides a reflective and collaborative space to share insights and best practices for thriving in culturally diverse academic environments.
Tuesday, November 18 | Exhibition: Tesoros Rescatados
Location: [UTRGV PAC – Edinburg Campus
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Featuring Artist: Graciela Rendón García, Mexico
Explore the powerful exhibition Tesoros Rescatados (Rescued Treasures). Graciela’s work transforms discarded garments—sourced from second-hand stores across the Rio Grande Valley—into poignant cultural artifacts. Through thoughtful restoration and curation, she reveals the memory, value, and global stories embedded in these everyday items.
More than an artistic display, this exhibition is a call to sustainability - challenging our habits of consumption and encouraging us to find meaning in reuse, restoration, and mindful living.
Wednesday, November 19 | VIP Lab Experience with Dr. Sylvia Robles
Location: Brownsville Campus –Salon Cassia
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Session Title: Elevating the Student Experience: A Problem-Solving Approach through Creativity, Intercultural Competence, Empathy, Resilience, and Adaptability
Led by Dr. Sylvia Robles, Assistant Professor of Practice at Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, this interactive VIP Lab will engage students in experiential learning that cultivates core global competencies and promotes sustainability in real-world contexts.
Open to all UTRGV students.
Exploring Global Frontiers in Research
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
Time: 12:30 – 1:30
Session Title: COMPASS Coffee Chat: Exploring Global Frontiers in Research
Organized by: Dr. Luis Alcocer & Led by Dr. Patricia Feria Arroyo and Dr. Glorimar Colon - The Office of Research Enhancement, part of the Division of Research, is pleased to host the next session of the Collaborative Opportunities for Making Progress toward Strategic Success (COMPASS) Coffee Chats. This session will focus on the theme of International Research, highlighting strategies to explore global research opportunities and strengthen long-term impact at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Open to all UTRGV faculty.
Thursday, November 20 | International Student Thanksgiving Luncheon
Location: UTRGV Ballroom (Edinburg Campus)
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
A festive gathering to celebrate our international student community with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Join us for a time of connection, gratitude, and cultural exchange.
Friday, November 21 | Jazz & Brews: A Global Coffeehouse Celebration"
Location: Brownsville Campus – Patio Plumeria
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Close out International Education Week with rhythm, flavor, and connection at Jazz & Brews! Enjoy a global tasting of international coffee blends while engaging in lively conversations with students, staff, and faculty. Relax to the smooth sounds of live jazz, blending soulful melodies to create the perfect coffeehouse atmosphere.
International Coffee and desserts (pan dulce) will be served.
Friday, November 21 | Pilates and Refresh:
Location: Edinburg Campus – Ballroom
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Close out International Education Week with a morning of wellness, flavor, and community at Pilates & Refresh! Start your day with an energizing Pilates session to boost vitality and restore balance, followed by refreshing drinks and light snacks. A live DJ will keep the atmosphere upbeat, creating the perfect vibe to relax, recharge, and connect with fellow students in a welcoming space that celebrates culture, health, and togetherness.