Montana State University's is inviting the community to discover Mexico during International Education Week 2009 this week.

"Mexico: Explore Your World" features a week of free lectures, presentations and activities at MSU and the Bozeman community, according to organizers from MSU's Office of International Programs. 

This is the seventh year that MSU's Office of International Programs has sponsored an international education week. The event emphasizes the culture and traditions of a country. This year the organization chose Mexico.

“We're trying to get away from bikinis and drinks and spring break and look into what is going on politically and culturally in the country and get to know our neighbor to the south better,” said Yvonne Rudman of MSU’s Office of International Programs.

The week's events begin at noon Monday in SUB 233 when MSU Spanish professor Bridget Kevane speaks on "History of Mexican Migration in Montana." Clarissa Martinez from the National Council for La Raza will speak on "Immigration in America: Forging a Shared Future" at 7 p.m. Monday in SUB Ballroom A.

A Mexican lunch will is scheduled for Tuesday as well as lectures and a panel discussion. 

"Under the Same Moon," a film about a Mexican boy who crosses the border to be with his mother, will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Linfield Hall room 225. 

There will be more Mexican food for lunch on Thursday, then on Friday night DJ "Grupo Ilusion" will spin Mexican ranchero music during a dance at the Beall Recreation Center. 

All activities are free and open to the public. 

Click here for a full list of events.

- Mark Martello reporting for Z7 in Bozeman