SPECIAL WEEK IS SET AT SEMO; INTERNATIONAL WEEK WILL FEATURE EVENTS

From a fashion show to a trivia contest, a number of events are on tap for International Week, which begins Saturday and runs through March 28. The theme for the week is "A World of Difference."

The week of activities is sponsored by the Center for International Studies at Southeast Missouri State University. Most of the activities will be held on the university campus.

Margaret Popham, coordinator of international programs at Southeast, said International Week has been an annual affair here for about a dozen years.

"The purpose is really twofold. One, it is a celebration of the cultures. It's something fun, an observance," she said.

"The second purpose is education; let the community and the university know a little bit more about the cultures that are here." There are approximately 350 international students at Southeast, from 45 different countries, said Popham.

The week will kick off with a "World of Fashion" show at 2 p.m. Saturday at West Park Mall. Part of the show will involve Southeast students modeling ethnic costumes.

Popham said the fashion show will feature costumes from China, Japan, Malaysia, Finland, Pakistan, Morocco, Nepal and Somalia. "I think it should be awfully colorful," said Popham. "Some of the outfits are beautiful."

Eric Ying of the International Week planning committee said the mall will also feature a children's poster contest, with the artwork illustrating the International Week theme. Faculty from the university's art department will judge the posters, which will be displayed at the mall.

On Sunday at 2 p.m., a reception will be held for a new exhibition at the Southeast Missouri State University Museum. The reception is free and open to the public.

The exhibition titled "A World of Difference" was planned by the International Events Coordinating Board in conjunction with the University Museum and the Center for International Studies. The display consists of pieces from the university's collection, objects on loan from Southeast students, and faculty display items. The exhibit is designed to reflect the cultural diversity of the Southeast campus. The exhibit tentatively is set to run through April 17.

Tuesday, a panel discussion will be held at 7 p.m. at the University Center. The panel of female students from a number of foreign countries will discuss the status and roles of women in their cultures.

On March 25, a trivia contest will be held in the University Center Club, beginning at 7 p.m. The contest will feature questions on international themes, ranging from geography to politics, said Ying.

On March 27, a buffet dinner of international foods and a dance will be held at the University Center Club. Seating is limited to 150 people, said Ying. Tickets are $8 per person and can be obtained at the international center.

The week will culminate March 28 with an international show, organized by the Council of International Organizations at Southeast.

Ying said the show will feature singing and dancing by students, representing the sights and sounds of cultures from around the world.

The show begins at 8 p.m. at Academic Hall. Tickets are $1.50 for students and $2 for the general public.

Popham said organizers of International Week hope to attract both students and the general public to the events. "We would like to very much make it not only a campus but a community event and celebration. Part of the reason for the dinner and show is to bring in people from the community," she said.