International Jayhawk Festival will celebrate KU’s global community on April 13
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will come together to celebrate its diverse global community at the International Jayhawk Festival from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 13 in the Burge Union, Forum C and D.
Representing cultures from around the world, the event will have activities, games, crafts and performances, as well as the distribution of T-shirts and international snacks. Students, staff, faculty and community members are invited to attend the free event.
In its seventh year, the International Jayhawk Festival highlights KU’s diverse student body, importance of global citizenship, the value of international education and the need for global awareness.
Comprehensive internationalization is one of five core foundations informing Jayhawks Rising, KU’s multiyear strategic planning process. More than 1,700 international students from over 100 countries attend KU. Additionally, KU ranks 24th among U.S. public research doctoral institutions in the percentage of students who have studied abroad.
At the festival, more than 45 student groups or academic units will be present, offering intercultural activities, demonstrations and global trivia. Students can meet with advisers from study abroad, discuss academic programs with area studies representatives and language departments, connect with foreign language clubs, explore international career opportunities and learn about international student organizations.
A highlight will be international performances, including those that represent Peruvian, Indonesian, Brazilian and Chinese cultures. The International Student Association will host an international fashion show.
The Pederson Grants for Global Engagement, funded by KU alumna Christine Pederson, provided $200 grants to support the involvement of nine student clubs and organizations interested in representing their countries and cultures at the festival. With the funds, the groups can purchase items that will help in sharing, celebrating and educating festivalgoers about their group’s language and cultural traditions.
The International Jayhawk Festival receives support through the following contributing university sponsors: Applied English Center; Center for East Asian Studies; Center for Global & International Studies; Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies; Center for Russian, Eastern European & Eurasian Studies; Department of French, Francophone & Italian Studies; Global Business Initiative; Global Business Studies; Indigenous Studies; Institute for International & Global Engagement; International Affairs; International Support Services; Kansas African Studies Center; KU Libraries; Middle East Studies; Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging; Office of Multicultural Affairs; Office of the Provost; Open Language Resource Center; Pederson Grant for Global Engagement; Spencer Museum of Art; Student Union Activities; Study Abroad & Global Engagement; and University Career Center.