About "Year Of"

For the past 40 years, Kennesaw State University (KSU) has dedicated each academic year to the study of a particular country or region -- introducing tens of thousands of students, faculty, and staff to the rich diversity of world cultures that make up the human family.

Each year the "Year Of" Country Study focuses on a different part of the world, rotating through four regions identified as Asia/Oceania, Africa, The Americas, and Europe. This award-winning program plays a vital role internationalizing our campus and engaging local and global communities. Annually, it results in new courses and curriculum, research projects, education abroad programs, and global partnerships.

Through special lectures, performances, exhibits, seminars, and events, the "Year Of" Program helps students break down stereotypes, build connections across cultures, and develop the intercultural competencies needed to act responsibly in today’s complex, interdependent world.

Need Immediate Assistance?

If you are experiencing an international or immigration emergency outside of normal business hours, please contact Global Education staff through the KSU Department of Public Safety and University Police at +1.470.578.6666. Please identify yourself as either: 1.) a student, faculty, or staff member experiencing an emergency abroad or 2.) an international student or scholar for your call to be routed appropriately.

Our Goals

The "Year Of" Program cultivates an interdisciplinary educational platform for campus-wide, critical exploration of a country through a variety of relevant activities and events to engage KSU students, faculty, staff, and the community, while enhancing awareness, interest, and understanding of the world.

    • Expand participants' cultural knowledge and intercultural skills
    • Advance KSU's globally-focused curriculum, intercultural expertise, and international partnerships and research collaborations
    • Support and empower faculty to integrate country-specific material, as well as education abroad and local intercultural experiences, into their curriculum through connections with the local community and partners abroad
    • Strengthen student engagement in global learning and help prepare students to enter the global society as responsible citizens
    • Break down stereotypes and create connections across cultures by providing participants with a rich, complex sense of place, identity and community (both locally and globally)
    • Competitive College Spotlights that integrate program offerings into course content
    • Team-taught, semester-long interdisciplinary courses that include a study abroad component
    • Extensive involvement of local and international community partners, including university partners, consular officials, business leaders, and expatriates
    • Guest lectures featuring national and international experts from various fields/professions (arts, business, education, engineering, health, humanities, science, etc.)
    • Featured films both from and about the country or region of study
    • Featured theatre, music and dance performances, art exhibits, and culinary demonstrations
    • Visits with exchange faculty and students, including special residencies for artists, chefs, and other specialists

 

Year of the United Kingdom (YoUK)

The 2025–2026 Year of the United Kingdom will introduce the KSU community to our transatlantic neighbor through a yearlong exploration of its vibrant culture, complex history, and global influence. From over 7,000 miles of stunning coastlines to bustling cities and rolling countrysides, the United Kingdom (UK) is a nation shaped by centuries of tradition and innovation. Through themes ranging from literature and language to technology and identity, we’ll uncover the many stories that define the UK today.

Join us throughout the year as we bring the sights, sounds, and spirit of the UK to campus—inviting you to discover, connect, and engage with this remarkable nation. And just like the King of England, you won’t need a passport to join the experience. We look forward to celebrating everything the United Kingdom has to offer with you in the year ahead!

More Information
Year of UK Logo

 

"Year Of" Country Studies on the Horizon

Call for College Spotlight Program Proposals: Year of Thailand (2026–2027)

During 2026-2027, the Year Of initiative will focus on Thailand—a country in Asia that has not previously been featured in the program's 40+ year history. We invite faculty, staff, and administrators to submit proposals to host a College Spotlight Program as part of this university-wide study.

College Spotlight Programs play a vital role in deepening the campus community’s understanding of the featured country through scholarly and cultural engagement. These initiatives contribute significantly to the academic enrichment of the Year Of and are supported through competitive funding opportunities.

The enduring success of the Year Of program is a result of the active participation of KSU faculty, staff, and administrators, who have developed innovative programming to introduce students to diverse cultural, historical, social, and artistic dimensions of each country. Over the past four decades, the initiative has welcomed renowned scholars, government leaders, speakers, artists, filmmakers, and performers to campus, greatly enriching the university community.

To request a copy of the Call for Proposals Guide, please contact Shae Smith, Director of Community Engagement and Outreach and the Year of Country Study, at shae.smith@kennesaw.edu

Submit a Proposal

 

Year of Country Study - 2027-2028

Each year KSU's Year of Country Study celebrates a different part of the world, rotating through four regions identified as Asia/Oceania, Africa, The Americas, and Europe. In 2027-2028, we'll turn our focus to a country in Africa that has never before been highlighted during this long-standing program. Over 40 eligible countries are listed in the application below. Faculty, staff, and administrators are invited to submit nominations for this study. Strong justification and supporting materials are required for nominations to be reviewed by the selection committee. Submissions are due by January 21, 2026. Contact the director of the Year of Country Study if you have any questions at shae.smith@kennesaw.edu . Thank you for considering taking part in this annual process!

Nominate an African Country for 2027-2028

Previous Countries of Study

Over the past four decades, KSU's dedicated faculty, staff and enthusiastic students have embarked on transformative journeys through the university's "Year Of" programming, immersing themselves in the rich cultures, histories, and traditions of countries from around the world. Each year, a specific country is selected as the focus of these intensive studies, allowing KSU and the surrounding community to delve deeply into its unique identity while providing a comprehensive opportunity to understand its people, language, art, cuisine, and much more. Through this annual celebration, KSU fosters global awareness, promotes cross-cultural exchange, and cultivates a sense of interconnectedness among members of the diverse student body.

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