It is sometimes said that you cannot truly know another culture without knowing its language. In fact, culture informs the business environment of every country and knowledge of a foreign language is among the most immediately recognizable signs of a global mindset. According to a 2014 survey conducted by the Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBERs), 90 percent of employers in the U.S. consider language skills to be important to the international experience of their staff. 

The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business kicked off International Education Week, a joint initiative of the national Departments of State and Education, with a session on Global Competence in Business.  The panel discussion featured the expertise of global executives as well as Mohamed Abdel-Kader, deputy assistant secretary of international and foreign language education at the U.S. Department of Education.

Smith School celebrates International Education Week with the Office of Global Initiatives, November 16-20 The Office of Global Initiatives (OGI) at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business is excited to celebrate our global diversity amongst our students, faculty and staff during next week’s International Education Week (IEW).

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.

Smith students, faculty and staff came together to celebrate International Education Week 2014, a week dedicated to sparking global conversations.