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International Education Week @ Stamps

November 4, 2021

International Education Week is an initiative of the US Department of State and US Department of Education that celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

At Stamps, we didn’t feel like the love that we have for our international communities and for education abroad fit within a single week — so we’re celebrating for two weeks, from Monday, November 8 — Friday, November 19, 2021.

Stamps sponsored education abroad programs in select locations opened for Winter 2022 term for the first time since Winter 2020 programs were disrupted due to the pandemic. 

According to Director of International Study Programs Sandra Wiley: 

“Many students are eager to pursue opportunities to strengthen their intercultural communications skills outside the U.S. The pandemic also provided an opportunity to create virtual programs that satisfy the International Experience milestone. Associate Professor Kelly Murdoch-Kitt created ARTDES 434: Global Studio, a virtual exchange course. This course is designed to increase awareness of intercultural skills through collaborative studio work.”

Text spells out 'Celebrate Stamps International Education Week' above photo of three female students posing for camera in front of a blue house

Wiley also noted that the pandemic has permanently altered the field of education abroad and heightened awareness of political boundaries. Changing national policies of who is allowed to cross borders and which COVID-19 health protocols have to be followed fluctuate over time and also vary by country and sometimes specific destinations within that country. 

“At U‑M, Global Engagement staff in the Provost’s office worked closely with the Council on Global Engagement to develop COVID-19 specific policies and deploy resources to prepare academic units and individual students. Because of this enhanced preparation, education abroad programs in select destinations are possible again,” Wiley said.

Text spells out 'Celebrate Stamps International Education Week' above photograph of 5 students holding a M STAMPS flag on the great wall of China

International Education Week Events

Diver­sity and Inclu­sion Advisor Brian Banks and Sandra Wiley will deliver a series of great events for Stamps Students as part of International Education Week celebrations. 

Learn more about each event below.

International Faculty/​Staff Spotlights

As part of the Stamps International Education Week festivities, Mark Chung Kwan Fan, Director of Student Life, created a series of Q&A spotlights to shine a light on a few Stamps faculty and staff with extensive experience outside the US. 

David Chung, Professor

What is your country of origin? 

Korea.

Considering your role at Stamps, what are your creative areas of expertise students can reach out to you for? 

Drawing, filmmaking, installation, animation, printmaking, and video projection

What advice would you give to international students? 

Relax and enjoy US holidays, but be prepared for Thanksgiving, all the shops and restaurants and dining facilities will be closed, so buy food! 

Tell us three fun facts about your country of origin.

  1. Kimchi is the national condiment
  2. Fall harvest moon festival is like Thanksgiving when families get together in mid-October
  3. Colloquially, Koreans count age different and most will be one or two years older than US age


Mark Chung Kwan Fan, Director of Student Life

What is your country of origin? 

Mauritius.

What advice would you give to international students? 

Be proud of your origins and the diversity you bring transnationally.

Tell us three fun facts about your country of origin.

  1. The dodo is an extinct flightless bird that was endemic to Mauritius.
  2. Mauritius has the highest population density in Africa.
  3. Mauritius is a highly-rated beach and honeymoon destination.


Roland Graf, Associate Professor 

What is your country of origin? 

Österreich

Considering your role at Stamps, what are your creative areas of expertise students can reach out to you for? 

Media Art, Public Art, Play/​Interaction Design

What advice would you give to international students? 

Connect with peers from other countries and walks of life; enjoy living outside your bubble and creating new ones!

Tell us three fun facts about your country of origin.

  1. There are no Kangaroos in Austria.
  2. Yes, The Sound of Music was filmed in Austria.
  3. Austria would fit inside Lake Superior; it has the same size.


Endi Poskovic, Professor

What is your country of origin? 

Yugoslavia, present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Considering your role at Stamps, what are your creative areas of expertise students can reach out to you for? 

Studio art, print media, international travel, living/​studying abroad, creative opportunities especially in Europe and East Asia.

What advice would you give to international students? 

  • Take risks
  • Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities
  • Success is a process, not a destination
  • Embrace differences and the world beyond the one you know
  • Celebrate the world you know and find creative ways to share it with others

Tell us three fun facts about your country of origin.

  1. Diverse cultural, ethnic, religious, lingual, artistic and folkloric traditions
  2. Hosted Olympic Winter Olympic Games in 1984
  3. Learn more about Bosnia and Herzegovina.


Learn more about the Stamps School’s International Experience requirement — and resources for International Students At U‑M!