Three decades ago, Melissa Ferrin (BA political science and Spanish ’95) participated in a study abroad program in Chile as a language learner. She currently teaches English at a small engineering school in Mexico called Universidad Tecnológica de la Mixteca (UTM).

"I studied abroad in Vienna, Austria, interning for a medical training fitness gym through IES Abroad. Living in Vienna for the summer allowed me to see how different the lifestyle of the community was compared to what I am used to in the United States."

Join International Programs for the twelfth annual intensive Fulbright U.S. Student Program workshop to learn the basics of applying.

"Studying abroad is something that I never saw myself doing because of the high costs and social barriers... I decided to dive into the idea of studying abroad and found that there were many scholarships and options to help with funding and support throughout the experience."

With support from the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization, the Global Access Ambassador Scholarship program provides scholarships for students to study abroad.

"I found myself falling in love with the lifestyle and the daily activities that are typically done by Spaniards. I loved all the beautiful landmarks that we visited to further explore their culture and history."

"While in Chile, I learned a lot about myself and my disabilities... I realized the many skills and traits my disabilities had allowed me to foster, such as the ability to find hope and persevere in every situation."

"I want to take a moment to reflect on how my time abroad has impacted my identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community who also has hearing loss."

"After my time in Rome had concluded, I returned home with a redefined sense of self and a new confidence that hadn’t shown through as brightly before."

The Multicultural Showcase took place on Friday, November 3 as part of the University of Iowa’s annual celebration of International Education Week. Around 300 UI students, faculty, staff, and community members attended.

See the winning images selected for the 2023 International Programs annual photo contest as part of International Education Week (IEW)—which aims to inspire greater awareness of the ways the University of Iowa community can experience international education.

"My time abroad made me realize that I really appreciate my early life experiences of feeling like the other. Because my formative years are marked by feeling different, unfamiliar, or uncomfortable, I learned quickly to not only get used to the unfamiliar, but to welcome and look forward to the unfamiliar."