Sweet Briar celebrates International Education Week with food, games and a panel

Sweet Briar students talk with JYS director Giulia Witcombe (right) about their study abroad experiences at a panel Tuesday in Josey Dining Room.


Director of Sweet Briar’s JYS in Seville program Giulia Witcombe and Theresa Capule, director of international students and study abroad, have planned a series of campus events for International Education Week, Nov. 14-18.

The week was implemented by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to encourage “Americans and international students alike to seek opportunities to study abroad, make connections with peers in other countries, and ultimately to see themselves as actors in and shapers of both their local communities and a globalized future.”

It’s a mission Sweet Briar has carried for many decades, starting with the College’s first study abroad program at the University of St Andrews in the early 1930s. Since then, Sweet Briar has established nationally renowned programs in Paris and Seville, and partnered with other Virginia colleges to administer the Virginia Program at Oxford.

In 1948, the College took over JYF, the Junior Year in France, from the University of Delaware, where the program was founded in 1923. JYF is the oldest coeducational intercollegiate study abroad program in Paris. In 1983, Sweet Briar established JYS in Seville.

It’s a given that Sweet Briar participates in IEW, says Witcombe.

“International students and study abroad are an important part of the Sweet Briar College experience and community. We are happy to be celebrating this week with them!”

Festivities on campus kicked of Monday with an International Dance Night in Prothro and the French Club Crêpe Night. Today at noon, students who studied abroad last year talked about their experiences in the Study Abroad Panel over lunch in Josey Dining Room.

At 7 tonight, students, faculty and staff are invited to get competitive in an International Game Night in Josey and on Wednesday night, enjoy listening to music from other countries in Daisy’s Café. International Trivia at noon on Thursday in Johnson Dining Room wraps up a busy week.

All International Education Week events are open to everyone. Below is a complete list of upcoming events and locations.

Study Abroad Panel
Noon Tuesday
Josey Dining Room, Prothro

This moderated panel discussion of students who studied abroad last year is open to all. For more information, email gwitcombe@sbc.edu.

International Game Night
7 p.m. Tuesday
Josey Dining Room, Prothro

Students, staff and faculty gather to play international games in celebration of International Education Week. For more information, email tcapule@sbc.edu.

International Music
7 p.m. Wednesday
Daisy’s Café

Performers sing or play international music. This is part of International Education Week. For more information, email tcapule@sbc.edu.

International Trivia
Noon Thursday
Johnson Dining Room, Prothro

Students, staff and faculty are invited to participate in international trivia. For more information, email tcapule@sbc.edu.