PLATTEVILLE– The University of Wisconsin-Platteville hosted International Education Week in conjunction with the Confucius Institute on Nov. 14 through Nov. 19 on the UW-Platteville campus. During International Education Week, the Confucius Institute held Chinese culture kiosks, exhibits, language tables and cuisine workshops.

We  are part of an international network of over 700 Confucius Institutes and classrooms dedicated to enhancing the understanding of Chinese language and culture in the state of Wisconsin,” said Mei Reeder, Confucius Institute assistant director and program manager. “We hope to achieve this goal through outreach activities, classes for all ages, seminars for educators and training for businesses.”

As the United States and China have increased trades, so has the importance of cultural awareness. “China is one of our country’s major trading partners,” said Reeder. “We should take the time to learn the Chinese culture, as well as that the Chinese language is key to a promising future for the next generation.”

According to Reeder, one of the best ways to integrate cultural awareness into the community and the campus is to bring the two together. “The Confucius Institute hopes to increase cultural awareness by promoting free Mandarin lessons, community library presentations, campus lectures and Saturday family workshops,” she said. “This works well for college students and communities.”

The Confucius Institute is currently arranging their biggest event of the year, The Chinese Spring Festival, which will be held Sunday, Feb. 05, 2012 at 1-4 p.m. in Ullsvik Hall. The Institute will host a Chinese movie session at UW-Platteville in March with the International Film committee. Also, a one-day trip to Chicago’s Chinatown is slotted for April.

UW-Platteville’s Confucius Institute is part of a larger organization designed to focus on Chinese language training and spread Chinese culture in order to meet the business and cultural demands caused by China’s rapidly growing exchange with other countries. The Confucius Institute at UW-Platteville began in 2008 and since then has worked to promote better understanding of Chinese language and culture through various activities such as language classes, presentations, business etiquette banquets, workshops and cultural events. It is the only Confucius Institute in Wisconsin and the only institute to focus specifically on the 56 ethnic groups in China.