LSC-CyFair Honors Global Perspectives Through Games, Culture, and Learning Events in November
Lone Star College-CyFair invites the Cypress-area community to celebrate culture, connection, and curiosity this November during International Games Month (IGM) and International Education Week (IEW). With events ranging from global board games and trivia to dramatic readings and student research presentations, this campus-wide celebration blends fun and learning in meaningful ways.
Throughout the month, the LSC-CyFair Library will transform into a space for hands-on exploration of games from around the globe. One highlight includes Achi, a traditional strategy game from Ghana akin to tic-tac-toe, available as a passive activity for all to try. Visitors can also test their skills on puzzle tables or join the Board Game Bonanza on November 11, a monthly event featuring multiplayer board games and challenges for every age and interest.
Families, students, and residents are also welcome to experience a wide variety of giant games, online games, and group activities sprinkled across campus throughout the month—all aimed at showcasing the diverse ways people around the world connect through play.
Global Game Trivia Brings Learning to Life
For those who love trivia, LSC-CyFair Librarian Elizabeth Nebeker shares fascinating international “Did You Know” facts, including:
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Chess originated in India and spread through Persia before reaching global popularity.
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Jenga was invented in the UK; its name comes from the Swahili word kujenga, meaning "to build."
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The oldest known backgammon board—over 5,000 years old—was discovered in Iran.
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Mancala, a game played globally in many forms, derives from the Arabic word naqala, meaning “to move.”
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Mahjong, dating back to 19th-century China, was originally called Ma que (sparrow), mimicking the sound of its tiles.
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These bits of game history offer a fun way to connect across cultures and spark curiosity about how play reflects deeper traditions.
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International Education Week: Nov. 17–20
Running November 17 through November 20, International Education Week at LSC-CyFair is packed with student-led events, performances, and thoughtful discussions—all open to the public and designed to broaden global understanding.
Monday, Nov. 17 kicks off with the Student International Research Showcase, where attendees can enjoy interactive presentations paired with cultural refreshments. Later that day, award-winning author and historian Evan Rothera will deliver a talk on “Civil Wars and Reconstructions in the Americas.”
On November 18–19, the LSC-CyFair Readers Theatre brings Jean-Paul Sartre’s existential play “No Exit” to life with faculty and staff performing a dramatic reading that explores identity, confinement, and philosophical tension.
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, the “Who Are We?” series spotlights English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students as they share presentations about their native cultures, interests, and experiences, offering a window into the personal journeys of LSC-CyFair’s international student body.
The celebration concludes on Thursday, Nov. 20, with the Books Without Borders Book Club, where readers will gather in the library to discuss Shahnaz Habib’s “Airplane Mode,” a thought-provoking travel memoir that challenges conventional ideas of global movement and identity.
These events are part of the college’s broader programming aimed at exploring cultural perspectives and global themes within an educational setting.
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Connect and Learn More
All events are free and open to the public, with activities suitable for students, families, and lifelong learners. For more information or to get involved, contact Laura.Taggett@LoneStar.edu or visit LoneStar.edu/IEW for the full calendar of International Education Week activities.
Whether you’re a board game enthusiast, theater lover, trivia buff, or curious learner, LSC-CyFair’s November programming offers something for everyone—right in the heart of Cypress.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
