Get Involved!
There are many ways to get involved in promoting international awareness and cross-cultural understanding. Here are just a few. For more opportunities, contact International Programs at 319-353-2700.
Students
Culture Kits
Culture Kits are boxes containing items from various countries that can be checked out, free of charge, and used for educational purposes in K-12 classrooms. Culture Kits are organized by our department of Outreach and Community Engagement. We are always looking for the worldly expertise of international students, international community members, and U.S. students who have studied or traveled abroad to help us organize our culture kits.
If you'd like to volunteer your time to help us better categorize and catalogue our culture kits so that your "country of expertise" can be more effectively represented, please contact Mary van Andel at (319) 384-2255 or via email at mary-vanandel@uiowa.edu.
View current Outreach volunteering opportunities
International Classroom Journey
The International Classroom Journey (ICJ) program matches elementary and secondary classes with either UI international students and community members or U.S. students who have spent time abroad.
These volunteers are well trained to give interactive presentations to K-12 classrooms about the cultures that they come from or have lived in. In some cases, both an international student and a U.S. student can present as a team, offering two unique perspectives of living in another country.
Global Buddies
Global Buddies matches new international students with returned study abroad students. Contact the Office for Study Abroad, 335-0353.
International Crossroads Community
The International Crossroads Community (ICC), located in Mayflower Residence Hall, is a unique living/learning community for both international and U.S. students interested in foreign cultures, languages, and international issues. Residents have the opportunity to participate in cultural festivals, language dinners, and programs where they learn about the intricacies of living in a diverse world.
Nationality Student Organizations
Nationality Student Organizations exist for over 15 nationality groups and interest areas, including African Student Association, Asian American Coalition, Chinese Student and Scholar Association, General Union of Palestinian Students, Hong Kong Student Association, India Student Alliance, Indonesian Student Alliance, Japanese Cultural Association, Korean Student Association, Malaysian Student Society, Multi-Ethnic Engineering and Science Association, Slavic Cultural Association, Taiwanese Student Association, Thai Student Association, Turkish Student Association, Venezuelan Student Association, Vietnamese Association, and WAVES (Asian Film Festival).
Office of International Students and Scholars
The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) seeks volunteers to assist with new international student orientation, which takes place three times a year, in the fall, winter and summer. Volunteers are trained to serve as orientation group leaders and may also staff the new student welcome station.
View current OISS volunteering opportunities
Organization for the Active Support of International Students
Organization for the Active Support of International Students (OASIS) gives voice to the rich diversity of international students present on the UI campus. Goals of this organization include: helping students develop a sense of belonging, facilitating collaboration between the various nationality groups on campus, and increasing communication between UI administration and the international student body at large.
Preparation and Resources for International Studies Majors
Preparation and Resources for International Studies Majors (PRISM) is a student-run organization dedicated to providing support for International Studies majors and minors, helping to develop faculty contacts, and collaborating with other internationally focused student groups and members of the UI community.
Office for Study Abroad
Office for Study Abroad volunteers talk with students who are going to the same country, participate in panel discussions and information sessions about their programs, staff information tables at the annual Study Abroad Fair, help with pre-departure orientation, talk with students interested in studying abroad, and share the photographs they took for use on the Study Abroad web site. Fill out the application form.
View current Study Abroad volunteering opportunities
UI Ambassadors
The UI Ambassadors have as their mission to serve the University of Iowa's International student community through social events between American University of Iowa students and international students studying at the University of Iowa.
They aim to create a welcoming environment for students and to enhance the Iowa City community as a whole.
Community Members
Council for International Visitors to Iowa Cities
The Council for International Visitors to Iowa Cities (CIVIC) was recognized in 1986 as a full member of the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV).
NCIV is composed of community based, not-for-profit groups (like CIVIC) which are staffed by professionals and draw on community resources and volunteers to design professional development programs for international visitors in more than 100 U. S. cities.
When a tour includes Iowa City, and/or other eastern Iowa cities, CIVIC is called upon to plan and schedule activities, arrange appointments, and provide volunteers to host dinners or serve as escorts, guides, and drivers.
View current CIVIC volunteering opportunities
Friends of International Students
Friends of International Students (FIS) is a non-profit organization of people in the Iowa City area who are interested in meeting and helping international students from the University of Iowa. FIS is affiliated with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) at the University of Iowa and is run by community volunteers.
View current FIS volunteering opportunities
International Scholars Council
The International Scholars Council provides programming to welcome international scholars and their families to the University of Iowa community.
International Women’s Club
International Women’s Club (IWC) is a group of women from around the world who meet to share activities that promote friendship and understanding. Activities include English classes; coffee, cooking, and craft groups; excursions; and special events.
Membership is open to all women from around the world, including the U.S. International Women’s Club is an independent group that is affiliated with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) at the University of Iowa. However, you do not have to have a connection with the University to become a member.
View current IWC volunteering opportunities
Iowa City Foreign Relations Council
The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC) is a non-profit association of community and university people interested in learning more about U.S. foreign policy, world affairs, and current global issues impacting world societies.
One Community, One Book
"One Community, One Book — All Johnson County Reads" is an annual countywide reading project, coordinated by the UICHR, in cooperation with the UI International Writing Program, Prairie Lights Books, and a variety of other University and community groups. The project invites every adult and adolescent in Johnson County to discuss the same human rights-related text.
Give a Gift
IP relies on private support for high-quality programs. As we seek to maintain and enhance that quality in the years ahead -- and to benefit increasing numbers of UI students, faculty, and community members -- private support will become even more critical. Please help us sustain excellence in international instruction and research by making a gift to International Programs online .
Other Ways to Get Involved
The Civic Engagement Program (CEP) strengthens students' learning opportunities by linking the University's teaching, research, and service mission to community needs through service.
Corridor Volunteers is an on-line matching service for volunteer opportunities in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor.
The Office of Student Life (OSL), located in room 145 of the Iowa Memorial Union, provides diverse social, cultural, recreational and educational programs and activities for the University of Iowa community. Supporting more than 400 recognized student organizations, the OSL sponsors major annual events, diversity initiatives, leadership opportunities and arts & entertainment programs.
UI Diversity Resources include many ethnic and cultural resources.