Become more familiar with worldwide education opportunities offered to students at FGCU by participating in the International Education Week Nov. 16 to 20.
Timothy W. Gjini, associative director for International Services at FGCU, said that week is meant to celebrate, initiate and promote study abroad and exchanges in international education to awaken more interest among American and domestic students to study abroad or participate in exchange programs for short term, a semester or a year.
“I remember when I was living in Europe as a young man, and during that time, the U.S. Embassy was promoting international movies for students like me to study in the United States,” Gjini said. “International Education Week is something that has only grown to open people’s mind internationally.”
The supportive faculty members at FGCU have encouraged their students to attend the week-long event. They understand the importance of being open to the world.
“The faculty has been encouraging in that they have promoted and recommended students to attending many of the events International Education Week offers,” Gjini said.
“For instance, in the past, we have had incentives including a bucket list of calligraphy to where students may want to travel. We have also provided layouts of a map in the past, where students were given the chance to put a dot to where they wish to visit one day. This has really helped with seeking students’ interest and goals internationally. Professors have also partnered with us to give extra credit to students who attend our many events offered at our table, watching a movie or by stopping at the international service office for International Education Week.”

This year’s event includes a showing of two international classic movies that will be played in room 213 at the Cohen Center Tuesday Nov. 17. and Thursday, Nov. 19. The first movie, is an Italian film called, “The Bicycle Thief,” which is an educational classic that will open the audience’s horizon and bring a different perspective. The second film, “Turtles Can Fly,” centers on Northern Iraq and the U.S. troops.
These movies will allow students to broaden their knowledge on films internationally, for it is not the typical Hollywood movies we are all used to seeing.
Other ongoing events occurring on campus will include a global IQ quiz that will allow all FGCU students to take a quiz combining geography, cultural analysis and facts on other countries that will all be presented the afternoons of Monday, Nov

16. and Wednesday, Nov. 18. by Ben Hill Griffin Hall.
“In the past, we have provided speakers who have enlightened the experience of learning overseas,” Gjini said. “We have also provided tables with calligraphers in which they included people’s name in different languages and what they mean.”
Statistics have shown that students who participate in study-abroad experiences have better chances to get a job toward their career, compared to those who don’t have those experiences.
“Even students from the past who have gone for a short period have come back saying ‘thank you for allowing me to make this opportunity for me because now I am a changed person, and I see the world differently with a better mind,’” Gjini said. “I have seen myself and other students change and grow when seeing the world and being able to internationalize their campus. And even grow into global equip citizens in enriching their knowledge, which is the purpose of International Week.”
Gain some international experience Nov. 16 to 20. with the many opportunities the International Education week will have to offer at FGCU.
If you have any questions regarding the event or studying abroad, visit the FGCU International Services Office in room 122 at Reed Hall.