Connecting Iowa with the world and the world with Iowa

The University of Iowa is committed to enriching the global experience of students, faculty, staff, and the greater community. International Programs does this by providing leadership and support for internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. We encourage students to see the world in a whole new way. Take a look around and see why thousands of students from Iowa and the world call us home each year.

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News

Keiichiro Hirano, headshot

Award-winning Japanese author Keiichiro Hirano to read from Eclipse at Prairie Lights

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Daniel Vorwerk
International Programs
The University of Iowa Center for Asian and Pacific Studies hosts a reading and discussion with acclaimed Japanese author Keiichiro Hirano at Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City. Hirano will read from Eclipse, his award-winning debut novel, newly available in English, followed by a Q&A with UI professor Kendall Heitzman. The event takes place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
Clare Kinberg, headshot

Exploring family, race, and history: author Clare Kinberg at Prairie Lights

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Daniel Vorwerk
International Programs
The University of Iowa Jewish Studies Network hosts an author reading and discussion with Clare Kinberg at Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City. Kinberg will read from By the Waters of Paradise, a memoir exploring family secrets and the intertwined histories of racism, antisemitism, and segregation in the United States. The event takes place on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Leona Zaharis visiting Southeast Asia

Three UI students awarded Leona Zaharis Scholarship to study abroad

Thursday, February 5, 2026
Daniel Vorwerk
International Programs
Three University of Iowa undergraduate students are able to study abroad thanks to support from the Leona Zaharis Scholarship, a fund that was established in 2022 by Cathy Zaharis (BBA finance ’82) in memory of her mother.
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Events

UI Lunar New Year Celebration 2026 promotional image

UI Lunar New Year Celebration 2026

Friday, February 13, 2026 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Phillips Hall
Across East and Southeast Asia, communities celebrate the arrival of spring by celebrating the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar.
Music, Meals, and Making a Difference promotional image

Music, Meals, and Making a Difference

Sunday, February 15, 2026 4:00pm to 6:30pm
Tavern Blue
The event will feature live music by the local band Homebrewed and is designed to be welcoming, community-focused, and entirely dedicated to raising funds for the Food Pantry at Iowa.
BGC: Introduction to Building Our Global Community promotional image

BGC: Introduction to Building Our Global Community

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 10:00am to 12:00pm
Virtual
This introduction class will introduce the Building Our Global Community program and share an overview of the international student and scholar population at the University of Iowa. Participants will have opportunity to learn about the cultural adjustment experienced by international students and strategies to assist with the transition.
Study Abroad Faculty-led Program Information Session: Irish Writing Program promotional image

Study Abroad Faculty-led Program Information Session: Irish Writing Program

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 3:30pm to 4:30pm
English-Philosophy Building
Learn more about this faculty-led program designed for UI students to study under the direct mentorship of an award-winning creative writing faculty member in Dublin, Ireland.
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student sitting in front of ancient Greek temple smiling

2025 International Programs Annual Report

Our annual report showcases who we are and what we do, presenting a year-in-review of how we promote global education at the University of Iowa. 

Student looking down from temple in Bangkok

International Photo Contest Winners

What does global learning look like? For UI students, it’s a quiet café in Budapest or a snow-covered Iowa campus. See our 2025 International Photo Contest winners!

Deb Trusty and students in front of Temple of Poseidon in Sounion, Greece

Faculty-led Programs Abroad

Interested in going abroad next summer? Travel with renowned University of Iowa faculty, earn university credit, and make the world your classroom. Learn more about summer 2026 faculty-led programs at our upcoming info sessions!

Victor Morales in Lisbon

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# of years Iowa has been named a Top Producer of Fulbright students
student laying in front of letters HOME in front of Univ. of Iowa old capitol building

200 +

Study abroad programs offered
Anna Correa standing next to other woman on colorful blue train in India

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Countries represented by our international students
"If International Programs has one purpose, it is to open the minds and hearts of our community to the reality that the world is a stronger and better place when we celebrate the humanity in every individual and in every nation. We cannot learn to live together if we do not live to learn from each other."