As our world becomes more connected and interdependent, it is imperative that we learn how to communicate with individuals who are different from ourselves.

International Student and Scholar Services, in collaboration with the Division of Access Opportunity & Diversity, offers intercultural training workshops and educational programs to help students, staff, and faculty recognize the impact culture has on our daily lives and interactions and develop effective strategies to increase our intercultural awareness while improving our skills.

Several ongoing sessions are available. Custom programs may also be created at the request of departments and organizations, please contact Brandon Paulson below.

Training Programs

Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity is a leadership training program for all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students designed to increase intercultural awareness and skills, while enhancing understanding and connection through diversity. Focus is on increasing self-awareness while building intercultural leadership skills.

Building Our Global Community creates an opportunity for University of Iowa faculty and staff to learn about the experiences of international students and scholars, and methods they can use to foster skills for working with and awareness of our increasingly intercultural campus. Participants who complete the Introduction to Building Our Global Community core course and at least four elective courses will be awarded a global certificate.

Engaging Across Cultures is a non-academic, professional development certificate program that creates an opportunity for UI graduate and professional students to learn more about fostering an intercultural campus while honing skills that will carry into the future workplace.

student holding up Engaging Across Cultures certificate

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Contact:

Brandon Paulson

Brandon Paulson

Title/Position
Associate Director
International Student & Scholar Services
Besides advising duties, Brandon's area of specialization includes intercultural training, where he oversees the Building Our Global Community certificate series, the Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity program, and special requests for individualized workshops. Brandon serves as orientation coordinator, arranging content and schedules for orientation programs. He is also instructor for the Global@Iowa course where international and domestic students learn and increase intercultural skills together. Brandon holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and a Master's in Education with an emphasis on Student Affairs Administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  He has studied in the United Kingdom, has studied Spanish, and has spent time in Costa Rica, Canada, Ireland, Spain, England, and Scotland.