Student Government kicks off International Week today.
The week’s first event is a jazz concert in the Union Art Gallery today from noon to 1 p.m.
Hina Dave, SG International Affairs director, and other campus leaders have coordinated the concert and 10 other events intended to promote the presence of international students and culture on campus.
The events will be held throughout the week and include a Model UN debate, cricket lessons and a showing of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”
All events are free, though students should bring their University IDs to participate in some events.
Dave said International Week’s activities are intended to get the campus community excited about Sunday’s International Expo, which she described as “the grand finale.”
SG and other campus organizations will hold the annual International Expo from noon to 5 p.m. and will include music and dance performances and ethnic food.
Organizers planned International Week events so they will be accessible to students, Dave said.
“It’s during school, so if you have free time you can go to the events and learn about what an amazing campus we have,” Dave said.
Jason Wesley, SG vice president, said he is excited about International Week because showcasing the campus’s racial and ethnic diversity was one of the platforms the campus elected him and SG President Allen Richey on.
Diversity is important for the University, Wesley said.
“LSU is a fairly diverse campus, but we don’t have many opportunities to learn about one another,” he said. “[International Week] will make the community more cohesive.”
Harald Leder, assistant to the executive director of International Programs, said he thinks International Week is a great idea because students take an active role in the events.
“I wasn’t aware of everything the students were planning, which is good because that means the students are handling it themselves,” he said.
While the events will be fun and educational for many, Dave said there is a greater purpose to all the activities.
“The point is to bring people together,” she said. “We’re all an important part of LSU.”