Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) marked International Education Week with a vibrant lineup of educational, artistic and culinary experiences that highlighted the college’s global community.
Throughout the week of Nov. 10, students, faculty and staff took part in 14 events showcasing international traditions, perspectives and opportunities. The series emphasized global awareness while celebrating the diverse talents and cultures represented on campus.
GGC welcomed a distinguished visitor as part of the celebration. Lithuania’s Consul General Dovydas Špokauskas spoke with more than 50 attendees about diplomacy and international security. The discussion was organized by School of Liberal Arts professor Dovilė Budryte and offered students a firsthand look at global affairs.
Korean culture took center stage during the popular Seoul Connections event. A full room of attendees enjoyed Korean snacks, games, K-Pop and basic Korean language instruction while also recognizing GGC’s exchange students from Sookmyung Women’s University.
One of the week’s most anticipated traditions, the annual International Thanksgiving, brought together faculty, staff and students for a multicultural feast. Alongside classic holiday dishes, guests sampled a wide array of international foods and desserts, creating a festive, global dining experience.
During the Thanksgiving gathering, the Internationalization office presented the Excellence in Internationalization Award to Dr. Kristina Watkins-Mormino, professor of French and associate dean of the School of Liberal Arts, in recognition of her leadership and contributions to GGC’s global initiatives. Attendees were also treated to live music from GGC’s faculty, a Cultural Fashion Show and the chance to answer Thanksgiving trivia questions.
Throughout the week, faculty and staff also promoted study-abroad opportunities in more than 20 countries, including Cameroon, France, Germany and Mexico, underscoring GGC’s commitment to helping students explore the world.
The Atrium of B Building on campus transformed into a cultural stage during the World Music and Poetry event, where performances in French, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese highlighted the linguistic and artistic diversity of the GGC community.
Supporting GGC’s mission to prepare students for an interconnected world, faculty participated in a session on collaborative online international learning, a teaching method that fosters global engagement in the classroom.
International Education Week, observed at colleges and universities nationwide, underscores the importance of cultural exchange and international learning. At GGC, the weeklong celebration is coordinated by the Internationalization office with support from faculty, staff and students across campus.
Photo caption: Yingg Guo takes a photo of the Annual Thanksgiving Feast on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 in LVIS at Georgia Gwinnett College. The fest brought together traditional American favorites and 15 international dishes, complemented by live music, a Study Abroad Fair, the Excellence in Internationalization Award ceremony, and a sneak peek of the Spring Global Awareness Week Cultural Fashion Show. Photo Daniel Melograna/GGC