Campus and community invited to March 29 event “Many Faces of Intercultural Dialogue”

promotional graphic for intercultural dialogue event on March 29

Encouraging intercultural dialogues and conversations, the Penn State University Libraries joins three organizations, the Intensive English Communication Program (IECP), English for Professional Purposes Intercultural Center (EPPIC), and Global Connections, for an event to showcase intercultural dialogues facilitated and supported by the three organizations, both on campus and in the community.

“The Many Faces of Intercultural Dialogue” will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29 with 15 IECP international students and their Penn State student partners sharing posters about what they have learned about each other and their respective cultures during their conversation partner program. The event in the Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, University Park, will also serve as a venue for EPPIC and Global Connections to present the many resources and opportunities available for the university and the community.

Each semester, through the IECP, international and domestic students are paired and together produce a poster that documents what they have learned about each other and themselves during six weeks of hourlong conversations about assigned cultural topics. The international students and domestic partners think about how to portray what they have learned in a short amount of time to a diverse audience.

Questions and feedback from these public poster sessions help the international students develop proficiencies and confidence in non-native spoken interactions while this rewarding experience also engages individuals seeking to develop a deeper intercultural awareness. Following the brief poster sessions, the students and visitors often continue their conversations, learning about their backgrounds as well as similarities and differences in traditions, families, food and holiday celebrations.

An 8.5×11 poster with information about “The Many Faces of Intercultural Dialogue” event is available as a downloadable PDF. The complete Penn State News article is available for reading online. For additional information on this event, or for questions about accommodations or the physical access provided, contact Mark Mattson, global partnerships and outreach librarian, at 814-863-2480 or mam1196@psu.edu in advance of the event.