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 thousands of students to the rich diversity of world cultures that make up the human family. The 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 Canada

Oh, Canada! Explore this land with its strong connections to the U.S. from shared interests and geography to strong economic ties – and no passport is required! The 2024-25 Year of Canada will introduce the KSU community to our northern neighbors as we explore their art, food, economics, dance, film, literature, architecture, history, and more!

Over the course of an entire year, students, faculty, staff, and community members will be immersed in Canadian traditions and innovation with special events, performances, discussions, and programs. We look forward to celebrating all that Canada has to offer with you!

More Information
Year of Canada 24-25

 

"Year Of" Country Studies on the Horizon

Flag UK

Year of the United Kingdom - 2025-2026

Many thanks to the KSU faculty and staff who proposed featured programs and events for the upcoming "Year of the United Kingdom" (YoUK). We look forward to exploring England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales beginning this fall. Please check back this summer for the calendar of programs and events, and follow us on Instagram (@ksu.yearof) this summer for a fun peek into the YoUK!

Year of Thailand - 2026-2027

Each year KSU's "Year Of" Country Study focuses on a different region of the world, moving through four regions identified as Asia/Oceania, Africa, The Americas, and Europe. During the 2026-2027 academic year, the focus will be on a country in Asia that hasn't been the focus of this initiative in its 40 year history. The nomination portal closed earlier this spring, and after review of the proposals submitted by KSU faculty,...
 

"Year Of" Country Study - 2027-2028

Each year KSU's "Year Of" Country Study focuses on a different region of the world, moving through four regions identified as Asia/Oceania, Africa, The Americas, and Europe.  During the 2027-2028 academic year, the focus will be on a country in Africa that hasn't been the focus of this initiative in its 40 year history.  The nomination portal will open this fall.  More information will be available here in September.

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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