On Saturday, October, 28th 2017, over 400 students from UW-Madison’s PEOPLE (Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) program spent five hours at Monona Terrace enjoying an IRIS event that was specially designed for them. “PEOPLE in the World” offered a unique, interactive, internationally-focused half-day that was both educational and a lot of fun.
Nancy Heingartner, IRIS Assistant Director for Outreach, coordinated PEOPLE in the World, which consisted of an opening performance by UW-Madison’s Capoeira group, three 30-minute breakout sessions, during which participants experienced topics ranging from “The Art of Henna,” to “Learn Thai in 30 Minutes!,” from “First Steps: Balkan Village Line Dances,” to “An Introduction to Kenyan Culture and Swahili Language,” and from “Yuts: A Korean Board Game” to “Discovering the Heart of Myanmar, and, finally, a wrap-up demonstration and dance party with Madison’s Limanya African Dance and Drum Ensemble. In addition, after lunch,
the students circulated through an International Opportunities Fair, at which they collected fliers and spoke with representatives from various UW-Madison entities devoted to internationalism. These included: the UW-Madison Peace Corps office, International Academic Programs, the International Internships Program, the WI Summer Intensive Language Institutes (WISLI), and the WI International Scholars Program.
The presenters were a combination of UW-Madison students and staff and members of local ethnic communities.
photos from the event.