Berkeley International Group (BIG) Meetings

The Berkeley International Group (BIG) is composed of UC Berkeley faculty and staff who meet monthly to collaborate and participate in informal discussions related to the international work that we all do on campus. Each meeting is hosted by different units on campus. The group meets for one hour during the first week of every month, with the host deciding upon the topic, date, time, and location of the meeting.

Sept. 2020 BIG Event: Courageous Conversations Workshop

Speaking up and speaking out about racism and white supremacy has become a priority for organizations and institutions across the globe, including here at UC Berkeley. However, when it comes to confronting the ways racism shows up in our everyday lives and relationships, it can be difficult to create environments where people can be truly courageous in their own growth and encourage the growth of others. In multinational/multicultural environments, this is further complexified, yet equally critical. In this session, we will focus on skills and practices for higher education professionals...

May 2020 Panel Discussion on COVID-19: The End or the Revival of International Higher Education?

Recent years have witnessed a rise in the level of nationalism in many countries with tightened immigration policies and stronger governmental oversight of multinational research collaborations. At the same time, competition among countries and universities for international students has increased significantly, while the demographics of young populations in many countries are shifting. Now, the onset of an historic global pandemic, with its serious travel challenges and dramatic economic effects, raises yet another threat to the future of internationalization on U.S. campuses.

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May 2020 BIG Meeting: Connecting Berkeley to Europe

About the Institute of European Studies

A federally funded Title VI National Resource Center and Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, the Institute of European Studies (IES) is the hub for interdisciplinary research and education on Europe and transatlantic relations on the UC Berkeley campus. IES staff will give an overview of the Institute’s public programming, outreach activities, international partnerships, and grants for students and faculty. We will also discuss current challenges and future...

April 2020 BIG Meeting: Your emotional well-being amid COVID-19

In light of the rapidly evolving situation amid COVID-19, we understand that our colleagues are likely under stress while handling work and personal life and finding a balance while working remotely. Therefore, instead of having a presentation on regular topics related to international activities happening on campus, BIG would like to support our Berkeley colleagues by holding a presentation given by the University Health Services (UHS) Employee Assistance unit, in the hope of providing some relief to our colleagues so that they may have some professional guidance on how to take care of...

March 2020 BIG Meeting: Graduate Division and International Student Experience

Come hear from the Graduate Division and the Graduate Assembly about their respective organizations and goals in service of international academic and professional graduate students at UC Berkeley. We'll also have current graduate students speak about their experiences and transitions to campus.

Please note this event is open to UC Berkeley faculty and staff only. Please RSVP

Panelists: Larissa Charnsangavej, Director of Graduate Student Life, Graduate Division Shivani Raina, Project Director - International and...

February 2020 BIG Meeting & IEAS Lecture Series: Contextualizing Coronavirus: Scientific, Political, Societal and Economic Impacts of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) appeared in Wuhan, China in early December 2019 and has quickly spread across the globe, leading to the closure of borders, the lockdown of Chinese cities, fears about under-reaction (and over-reaction), and economic effects still to be seen.

A panel of experts will convene at UC Berkeley to discuss the scientific, political, societal and economic...

December 2019 BIG Meeting & CSHE Lecture Series: “Foreign influence” rhetoric and internationalization at UC Berkeley

Over the last year, there has been an increasing discussion led by U.S. Federal agencies and Congress about the nature of U.S. universities and their engagement with international institutions and governments. This oversight and inquiry is expected to continue and increase, with new and revised disclosure and compliance requirements a likely outcome.

Berkeley has long been at the forefront of international engagement, with a myriad of activities administered by numerous offices. In this growing era of more scrutiny of international activities, we must continue to take the lead in...

December 2019 Berkeley International Group meeting: End of year social!

UC Berkeley staff and faculty are invited to attend a belated International Education Week celebration with the Berkeley International Group (BIG) on Wednesday, December 4 from 4-6pm. Join UC Berkeley colleagues with a passion for (or interest in) international education, and celebrate the end of the semester!

Light appetizers will be available; drinks are on your own.

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The Berkeley International Group (BIG) is a recognized Staff Organization Community of Practice, offering...

November 2019 Berkeley International Group Meeting: International Students and Scholars: Current Enrollment and Regulatory Trends

UC Berkeley faculty and staff are invited to join the Berkeley International Group to learn more about international students and scholars at UC Berkeley, and current enrollment and regulatory trends.

In this presentation, the Berkeley International Office (BIO) will provide an update on the current trends in international student and scholar enrollment and address how this is being impacted by on-going changes in the regulatory...

May 2019 Berkeley International Group Meeting: First-year pathway & pre-college programs

UC Berkeley faculty and staff are invited to attend the next Berkeley International Group meeting to learn more about two of Berkeley's Summer Sessions & Study Abroad programs including the Global Edge London program for newly admitted undergraduate freshmen and the Pre-College Scholars Summer Program for domestic and international high school students.

Jessica Bauer, Assistant Director of...