Written by Ava Sokich | November 19, 2024 | SHARE
Led by members of Lehigh’s marching band 97, a parade of more than 20 international flags were carried by students who marched from Coxe Hall to the University Center flag pole.
Each flag represents the countries students come from or share a connection with. Whether the flags symbolized where one was born, studied abroad, has family connections, or has traveled, the event was open to all members of the Lehigh community. This annual flag parade launches International Education Week, held from Nov. 18 to Nov. 22, 2024.
Recognized nationwide, IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and Education, celebrating the enduring significance of international education worldwide. IEW is organized by Lehigh University’s Office of International
Affairs and aims to showcase the university's commitment to global engagement. At Lehigh, there are 989 international students from 91 countries, and host 140 scholars from 42 countries this year, according to Lehigh's Global Data report.
The Flag Parade is just the start of a week-long series of events that encourage students to share their cultures and learn from one another. Nino Tedoradze, ‘28, took part in the flag parade and proudly represented their home country Georgia, located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. As the sole Georgian student at Lehigh, Tedoradze said she was inspired to join the parade to showcase her flag and heritage.
Participating in IEW offers Tedoradze a meaningful connection and a way to pay homage to both of her roots, she said. “It feels like I’m spreading my heritage, creating a connection between home and my new life here [at Lehigh University],” Tedoradze said. For Tedoradze, IEW is also an important opportunity to foster cultural understanding, she said. “America is a whole different culture, and oftentimes people don’t really know much about the rest of the world. Small gestures like this bring us closer together,” she said.
Another student joining the flag parade was Aiganysh Ulukbek Kyzy, ‘28, who carried the flag of Kyrgyzstan, a region in Central Asia. Kyzy explained that her deep love for her home country and the pride she feels in representing it which ultimately motivated her to attend the parade. For her, the opportunity to carry the flag wasn’t just symbolic but deeply personal. “I feel powerful and honored to carry my flag today,” Kyzy said. When asked about an important aspect of her culture Kyzy quickly replied with “hospitality”. “My country is one of the most hospitable in the world, and I would love to share that experience with others during IEW,” she said, emphasizing the value of cultural exchange.
Similarly, Tedoradze views IEW as a meaningful way to bridge cultures and share these unique perspectives. "America is a whole different culture, and oftentimes people don’t really know much about the rest of the world. Small gestures like this bring us closer together,” they said. Kyzy echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of connection and exchange. “Events like these are vital to connect with people, because we’re all different, and to share experiences that we brought here with us,” she said.
After the Flag Parade, the IEW Kick-Off Celebration continued at Coxe Hall, where international clubs and organizations showcased the diverse cultures represented at Lehigh. The event unfolded across various rooms, allowing students to move seamlessly from enjoying buffet-style food to engaging in conversations with peers, listening to live music, and connecting with one another. Clubs hosted tables featuring food, art, information, and games that highlighted their countries or cultures. Attendees enjoyed performances, prizes, food, and giveaways.
To discover the rest of the events occurring at Lehigh during IEW, access the calendar here.