​​Like most other large on-campus gatherings at the University, SU International's annual Global Week too had to migrate to cyberspace this year due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The event took place via Microsoft Teams from 12 to 16 October 2020. 

The programme aims to expose students to the benefits of study opportunities abroad. An added element this year was to demonstrate that global learning could indeed continue under the post-COVID-19 new normal.

Assisting students with international study opportunities, SU International helps prepare students to become global citizens, equipping them with intercultural competencies that will stand them in good stead throughout their lives. This forms part of SU's commitment to provide a transformative student experience and – as articulated in the University's Internationalisation Strategy – to “integrate international, intercultural and global dimensions … to advance the quality and impact of learning, teaching, research and innovation in meaningful service of society".

Global Week 2020 consisted of five interactive days, each with its own theme, activities and presenters. The first day, “Mobility Monday", introduced the aim and purpose of the week's activities and featured a session on mobility in Africa by SU International's Centre for Collaboration in Africa. From this regional perspective on mobility, the focus then shifted to engagement further afield with “Talk about summer schools Tuesday" and “Where to exchange Wednesday". These explained the various short programmes for (non-)credit-bearing or research purposes offered by SU International. Both these days also ended with sessions where SU students who had gone abroad shared their experiences. On the final two days, “Fun internationalisation-at-home Thursday" and “Partner Friday", participants were able to engage in local and global internationalisation experiences respectively.

In a special highlight, participants were treated to a Chinese cooking class by Prof Benjamin Zeng and his wife, Prof Ling Lin, from the Confucius Institute at the University of the Western Cape. The presenters had viewers mesmerised with their skill and expertise in creating their delicious green and red pepper chicken dish.

Students from across SU's faculties took part, and many signed up for more than one session. Moreover, 34 of SU's global partners volunteered to present, which made for a very successful and well-balanced programme.

For the Global Week website, go to www.sun.ac.za/globalweek. All sessions were recorded and are available on the Global Week stream at https://web.microsoftstream.com/channel/e2e603ae-a3b4-4569-9354-36ecc4d1fa00.