Samford University’s Global Engagement Office and Student Affairs are preparing to celebrate their annual Global Connections Fair on Thursday, April 13, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Cultures from across the globe will be represented and celebrated on the Quad to promote cross-cultural education. Samford aspires to foster global citizenship among its students through an array of curricular and co-curricular opportunities to engage and learn about the world around them.

“Global Connections is the largest cultural celebration on Samford’s campus. A whole afternoon will be dedicated to students learning about the different cultures represented here, within the city of Birmingham, and abroad. Students will be able to experience different regions through food, activities and performances. Different organizations and offices from across campus have come together to make this event possible,” said Christiana Hewlett, who works in the Global Engagement Office and is a member of Samford’s International Club.

The Global Connections Fair allows students who have studied abroad to share how their international experiences benefitted them, while students who have yet to go abroad can explore the opportunities available. This is also an opportunity for international students to share their unique cultural heritages at the event, creating a blend of education that the Global Engagement Office hopes will enrich the lives of other students.

“This event is important because I strongly believe in the importance of global education. I am from South Florida, an area that is a true mixing pot of every region,” said Hewlett. “Growing up in such a diverse area made me who I am today, and entering college, it was important to me that I didn’t stop learning about and being exposed to different cultures. It is such an important and valuable event for the student body; it displays the diversity within Samford’s campus, the greater Birmingham area, and connects us to the world as a whole.”

Students can expect a fun afternoon learning about and experiencing different regions through food, activities and performances.

“A key part of Global Connections is that students will receive a passport to carry with them from table to table. When they visit each region there will be an activity for them to complete and then receive a stamp on their passport,” said Hewlett.

Aside from thrilling performances and excellent food, the Global Engagement Office hopes that this year’s Global Connections Fair will be a learning opportunity for Samford’s students and an opportunity to highlight the importance of our global citizenship.

This year’s Global Connections Fair was made possible by the support and involvement of several different areas of campus:

• Global Engagement Office
• Student Affairs
• Beeson Divinity School
• School of the Arts
• World Languages and Cultures Department
• Howard College of Arts and Sciences
• Nutrition and Dietetics Department

To learn more about how the Global Engagement Office supports rigorous academic programming and support for international students, visit the Global Engagement Office.