The Office of International Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania will hold International Unity Day on October 23 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Hadley Union Building at IUP. This event is free and open to all.
This fall, IUP welcomed 348 international students from 62 countries, including 74 students enrolled in the American Language Institute (ALI). For more than 40 years, IUP’s ALI has provided intensive English programs for students from all over the world who want to improve their language proficiency and cultural understanding of the United States.
International Unity Day has been held for more than 30 years. This year’s celebration includes booths from 36 countries and territories offering international cuisine and poster displays. The event also includes 13 performances.
Unity Day 2026 includes special booths hosted by the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers (FDAI) scholars, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and administered by the International Research and Exchanges Board.
This is the 11th year IUP has been chosen for the FDAI program, which brings international primary and secondary educators who are Fulbright recipients in their home countries to the United States. As part of the program, the visiting teachers complete professional development coursework at IUP and be guest teachers in the Indiana Area School District and in the Pittsburgh Public School system.
Each Unity Day booth is organized by IUP international students, scholars, faculty, and staff showcasing their home countries.
From 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., food samples will be available at the booths, and the children’s room, featuring crafts, face painting, and a photo booth, will be open. Student and regional performances, including dance and musical selections, will take place from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the HUB Ohio Room.
International Unity Day is sponsored by the IUP Office of International Education and the IUP Student Co-Op.
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. IUP’s Impact 150 comprehensive campaign is designed to honor a legacy of educational excellence while looking toward a future of innovation, public service, and leadership in healthcare education, including the first college of osteopathic medicine at a public university in the commonwealth.