The University of Oregon welcomed nearly 1,000 high school students from across the state for the 2025 Foreign Language and International Studies Day. The event offers a vibrant celebration of languages, cultures and the arts.

This year’s celebration, which reached full capacity, hosted students from 19 Oregon high schools, some traveling from as far north as Seaside, as far south as Roseburg and as far east as Pendleton. FLIS 2025 featured more than 65 presentations and workshops across the 23 languages offered at UO, including Arabic, German, Filipino, French and Ukrainian.

Students took part in mini language lessons, workshops on food, crafts, song, and the highly anticipated music and dance performances. Special guest performances were provided by UO student groups Wushu, K.Aire, Ahiru Daiko,  Hui O Hawaii Club and Kultura Pilipinas.

There were several new creative sessions for 2025, such as Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” and Puerto Rican cultural heritage, Intro to German Memes, Philippine Street Games, Folk Dances of Anatolia, French TV and Film, and a Ukrainian Folk Art Experience.

This year’s FLIS Day held special meaning for longtime coordinator Michelle Hefner, who is celebrating 25 years of involvement with the program — including two decades as its official organizer. Reflecting on the event’s impact, Hefner emphasized how FLIS embodies the UO’s commitment to educational inclusion and unity. 

“FLIS Day is the highlight of the year for some of these high schools. It is a globalized experience localized to our beautiful UO campus,” Hefner said.

—Michelle Hefner, FLIS Day coordinator

Student volunteers played a vital role in bringing FLIS 2025 to life. Ester Angulo, a linguistics and Asian studies major, and Maggie Ongbongan, a Chinese and cinema studies major, led the volunteer coordination efforts. Ongbongan, who also created the event’s poster and promotional materials, reflected on her experience helping to organize the event.

“I was most excited for this year's different presentations and events, and to see all the high schoolers getting to learn more about other cultures, especially in a less diverse state,” Ongbongan said.

—Maggie Ongbongan, Chinese and cinema studies major

New this year was a networking luncheon for high school teachers. The luncheon, made possible by additional support from the School of Global Studies and Languages and the College of Arts and Sciences, offered UO language faculty a chance to connect directly with teachers about the many opportunities available for college-bound students interested in languages and global studies.

FLIS Day 2025 once again showcased UO’s commitment to fostering global education and cultural appreciation for the next generation of learners.