2009

UI Receives Grant for Russian Exchange

By Jodie Klein

How many flowers should you give a Russian woman?

“You must give an odd number, even numbers are given at a funeral,” says Irina Kostina, UI instructor of Russian language and literature, and developer of a course offered in the spring of 2009 titled “Surviving Russia.”

IP Students Travel to the Beijing Olympics

Emily Doolittle seriously considered not returning to Beijing when she completed her volunteer work at a “Good Luck Beijing” tennis tournament in October 2007. Fed up with the horrible venue food, Doolittle lived on peanut butter sandwiches through almost the entire 12-day trip. With limited Chinese skill, she could neither communicate well with the venue supervisor nor navigate much of the city. “For me, the first time I go anywhere, it’s kinda difficult. I need help with adjusting.” Doolittle says. “When I travel, I often feel disoriented, like I don’t have good footing.”

The Flood of 2008 And A Community of Givers

By Sarah Yu

For weeks, the flood’s devastation was sprawled across the headlines of countless newspapers, magazines, and television stations. People proudly displayed their “I survived the flood of ’08″ T-shirts to confirm their triumph over the natural disaster. However, as the news of the flood dies down and disappears from the headlines, the flood still continues to leave its mark on the lives of University of Iowa students, but more specifically, its international students.

Study Abroad in Barcelona

By Haley Metcalf

The lobby of Hotel Havana was full of Spanish women, most appearing in their mid 40s and older. My heart was pounding. Mind racing, I couldn’t quit formulating questions in my head. Which one is she? Should I talk in Spanish and risk making an embarrassing mistake on the first impression? My name was called, moment of truth.

Study Abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Reprinted with permission from Payap University Web site

By Seahsia Vang

“Why do you want to study in Chiang Mai, Thailand? Why don’t you go to China, Japan or Europe?”

My name is Seashia Vang. I am a citizen of the United States. Ethnically I am Hmong, as are my parents, grandparents and our ancestors.

Study Abroad – Averting Reverse Culture Shock Upon Returning Home

By Haley Metcalf

When Sarah Hemmen arrived at the airport in California after her five month stay in Australia, she was annoyed that the $3.99 magazine required more than the $4 in her pocket.

The University of Iowa senior became accustomed to sales tax being included in prices while studying abroad in Sydney.

2009 University of Iowa International Programs Summer Institute for Teachers

060809teachers2 The International Programs Summer Institute for Teachers is an annual week-long professional development workshop in collaboration with the UI College of Education and UI Center for Credit Programs in the Division of Continuing Education for K-12 teachers focusing on “what Iowans need to know about the rest of the world.” It allows current teachers and pre-service teachers a chance to explo

A Profile of Chuanren Ke, Director of the University of Iowa Confucius Institute

 

 

Chuanren Ke wants Iowans to learn about China

Chuanren Ke wants Iowans to learn about China

 

“Coming to America” Essay Contest Winners

The University of Iowa International Student & Scholar Services honored the winners of the fourth annual “Coming to America” essay contest during a reception held Friday, Nov. 21, 2008 at the Old Capitol. The ceremony was part of a series of events presented during the ninth UI International Education Week, Nov. 17-21.

Prizes were awarded for first, second and third place. Two students were chosen to receive honorable mentions. Essays from 19 students were entered in the contest.

UI Office for Study Abroad Photo Contest Winners

The University of Iowa Office for Study Abroad honored the winners of the annual photo contest, “Show us the World Through Your Eyes,” during a reception on Friday, Nov. 21, 2008 at the Old Capitol. The ceremony was part of a series of events presented during the ninth UI International Education Week, Nov. 17-21.

For More Information About Giving

If you would like more information about private support for  the University of Iowa International Programs, contact Derek Pendergast, director of development, major gifts, International Programs, at the UI Foundation at the address or phone number shown.  Your inquiry will be treated confidentially.

The University of Iowa International Programs
The University of Iowa Foundation
Levitt Center for University Advancement
P.O. Box 4550

Study Abroad Scholarship Support

The University of Iowa awards numerous merit-based scholarships and need-based grants to encourage and support student participation in study abroad programs.  Awards like the Ann Morse Study Abroad Scholarships and the Bedell World Citizenship Fund Experience Asia Scholarship, both created in 2007 from a generous bequest and a generous gift to the UI Foundation, help make study abroad possible for individual students.  During FY09 the Office for Study Abroad awarded 630 scholarships and grants, totaling more than $850,000, to UI students studying abroad.

Confucius Institute Offers Family Mandarin Chinese Classes

By Ashton Shurson

Anya Drack, 6, runs into her Mandarin Chinese class on a Saturday afternoon this past spring and immediately approaches her instructor, Fan Youxin. The two start playing a patty-cakes game reviewing Chinese numbers. Drack’s excitement comes after six weeks of attending the UI Confucius Institute’s Family Mandarin Chinese Classes for elementary students and their parents.

Eight undergraduates awarded Stanley Scholarships for International Research

Eight University of Iowa undergraduate students were granted the Stanley Undergraduate Awards for International Research. The awards, ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, are awarded to outstanding UI undergraduates who conduct small-scale research or fieldwork projects on international topics.

The awards are made possible by the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization and are the UI’s premier awards for international study.
For more information on the Stanley awards, contact the UI International Programs Grants Office at 319-335-2823.

International Encounters, Future Endeavors

After concluding 9 months studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain I wanted to find an organization on campus with ample international reach – I was looking to get involved with important international issues in a meaningful way, while simultaneously connecting to new people and countries abroad. The Council for International Visitors to the Iowa Cities (CIVIC) does just this; they host international visitors and develop programs for each visit. I joined CIVIC this summer as a student intern.