Leading the conversation on global engagement in higher education. Fitchburg State University was proud to serve as the host site for this year’s Massachusetts Council for International Education (MCIE) Annual Retreat. Our Office of International Education welcomed colleagues and leadership from sister institutions across the state for a comprehensive itinerary focused on the evolving landscape of global education. The retreat featured expert guest speakers, strategic workshops, and presentations tailored to the unique regulatory, cultural, and academic needs of international student populations and study abroad programming. Collaborative professional development like this ensures that Massachusetts remains a premier global destination for higher education. Thank you to all the attendees and organizers who made this year's retreat a resounding success. 

The International Advisory Committee & the  Office of International Education  hosted an installment of  a continuing campus dialogue on advancing internationalization at Fitchburg State. Ways to strengthen global learning, support international and study abroad students, and integrate intercultural perspectives across campus were explored. 

The Office of International Education sponsored their annual International Night last evening, where we celebrated our cultural heritage through food, presentations of dances, music and traditional garb. Food tasting stations, featuring the night's theme; Rice Around the World, included cuisines from Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and India. Attendees were treated to performances by Anne O'Connell's Irish American Step Dancers, members of the Dance Club performing a K-Pop inspired dance and a solo dance, Polynesian dances by Yumi Matsumoto, and a traditional Nigerian performance by Olufunke Ehineni. 

President Donna Hodge welcomed faculty, staff and students at the International Women's Day Celebration: Global Voices, Shared Strength luncheon and panel discussion in the Falcon Pub. The event, hosted by the   Office of International Education (OIE) and International Advisory Committee, was a powerful conversation honoring the voices, leadership, and impact of international women in our community. The pane, featuring international women faculty, staff and students, shared their experiences and took questions about their experiences as a member of our international community. Panelists were: Dr. Ana Mesquita-Emlinger, Engineering Technology (Brazil), Dr. Hefei Qiu, Computer Science (China), Dr. Jescah Apamo-Gannon, School of Education (Kenya/UK), Nelly Wadsworth, International Education (Philippines), Dana Gomez, MBA (Colombia), and Lisa Lech, Communications Media (Germany).

The Office of International Education hosted a Study Abroad Fair in the Hammond Main Lounge. Students had the convenience of asking about the many study abroad opportunities available to them here at Fitchburg State University in one location. Programs available in 2026 include; Peace Studies in Ireland, Eat, Speak Italian and History Program in Verona, Italy, Rhetoric in Greece - Communications Program, Nursing Program in Costa Rica, Arts and Game Design Program in Japan. 

Our of Office of International Education (OIE) hosted Lunar New Year Celebration 2026, the year of the horse with Chinese themed food, prizes, activities, crafts and more. 

Director of International Education Nelly Wadsworth, and Assistant Director of Study Abroad Nicole Salerno welcomed this semester's cohort of International students at their orientation in the Hammond Main Lounge. Students took part in some ice-breaker exercises and a panel discussion  before a day full of information sessions.

To celebrate International Education Week, our of Office of International Education (OIE) is holding themed days in their office as well as in our Holmes Dining Hall. The OIE is hosting Tea with OIE! with hot drinks and treats from around the world with different continents highlighted each day of the week. Chartwells Dining is curating a special international menu for each day of international week. In addition, the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library, will be  displaying a collection of maps, photographs, and texts that highlight Fitchburg State University's faculty-led study abroad locations. 

With open arms and an open heart, Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge gleamed with pride as she spoke at the International Student Welcome session on Thursday afternoon in the Hammond Main Lounge.

Director of International Education Nelly Wadsworth, and Assistant Director of Study Abroad Nicole Salerno welcomed this semester's cohort of International students at their orientation in the Hammond Maine Lounge. Students took part in some ice-breaker exercises before a day full of information sessions.