Events

Upcoming Events

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

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 9:30am to 10:20am

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.

Study Abroad Faculty-led Program Information Session: (Re)tracing Anne Frank: Living, Fleeing, Hiding & Writing

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 3:30pm to 4:20pm

Phillips Hall

Learn more about this faculty-led study abroad program designed to familiarize yourself with Anne Frank’s life and legacy by following in her footsteps in Amsterdam, the city in which she hid, when life in Germany became too dangerous.

International Student Hangout: Conversations that Matter

Thursday, February 12, 2026 1:30pm to 2:30pm

Iowa Memorial Union (IMU)

This conversation-based hangout is designed for international students who want to connect and share experiences and perspectives on topics shaping our world and campus life. There are three hangouts in this series, and all offer a welcoming space to practice asking thoughtful questions, to engage in respectful dialogue, and learn from each other’s experiences.

Whether you want to speak, listen, or simply be part of the discussion, you’re invited to join us for meaningful conversations in a...

Optional Practical Training (OPT), work authorization session for international students

Thursday, February 12, 2026 5:00pm to 6:30pm

Virtual

Join Life in Iowa and International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) for a comprehensive virtual Optional Practical Training (OPT) workshop to learn about eligibility, application steps, and key timelines. The event will kick off with an introduction to what OPT is and a live Q&A segment with ISSS Senior Advisor Kevin Roiseland.

Whether you’re a first-year student or heading toward graduation soon, we invite all international students to join this event.

This link to join will become active the...

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.

Application Deadline: Obermann International Fellowships (Fall 2026)

Saturday, February 14, 2026 (all day)

111 Church Street

The UI Obermann Center for Advanced studies is accepting applications for Fall 2026 Obermann International Fellowships. This program offers dedicated space, time, and funding for interdisciplinary scholars to collaborate on innovative research at the University of Iowa. Up to eight international fellowships will be granted every academic year. Applicants must be active researchers at an accredited institution of higher learning outside of the United States or independent researchers/artists with...

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.

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.

Translating Dreams: A Reading and Conversation with Young Korean Wordsmiths

Thursday, February 19, 2026 5:30pm to 6:45pm

Phillips Hall

Join the University of Iowa (UI) Center for Asian and Pacific Studies, an International Programs affinity group, and the UI Korean Program for a special event featuring three Korean authors presenting about their works and their thoughts on Korean literature.

Life in Iowa: Field Trip to UI Museum of Natural History

Saturday, February 21, 2026 10:30am to 12:00pm

University of Iowa Museum of Natural History

New to Iowa or curious about its natural history? Come explore the University of Iowa’s Natural History Museum with Life in Iowa, International Student and Scholar Services, and the Graduate Success Center!

Travel back 500 million years to discover what Iowa was like long ago and visit galleries featuring plants and animals from around the world. Feeling adventurous? Complete a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a prize! And don’t forget to snap a photo with Rusty, Iowa's famous giant sloth.

This...

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IP Series and Annual Events

Commitment to Internationalization Lecture Series

Started in 2016, this series features experts in the field of international education. These experts help to foster ongoing, campus-wide conversations about the UI’s vision and strategic themes for campus internationalization.

Cultivating Success: A Global Faculty Initiative

Drawing on the expertise of veteran faculty, these panel discussions focus on a range of topics relevant to international scholarship and teaching, including cross-national research collaborations, navigating administrative structures, work-life balance, tenure and promotion, and classroom experiences.

International Education Month

Each November, the University of Iowa celebrates the many ways international education and exchange opportunities prepare citizens for community building in both national and international settings.

Major Projects Award

Through the generous support of the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization, this award promotes important contributions to scholarly debates and exchanges on international topics, issues, discoveries, and arts. These may take the form of collaborations, symposia, conferences, lecture series, artistic exhibitions, and performance events.

Provost's Global Forum

This forum is the premier annual event on campus focused on international and global issues. It brings together experts from the faculty and leading voices from a variety of areas to raise awareness about, and contribute to debate on, the foremost issues in globalization that face us today.

Study Abroad Conversation Series

This new series, for prospective and returned study abroad students, covers essential topics like funding study abroad, leveraging international experiences for career growth, gaining global skills, and traveling mindfully.

Series Archive

Global Alumni Spotlight Series

This series featured in-depth conversations with UI alumni who have international backgrounds or experiences, and explore global and international topics that cross disciplines, borders, and connect Iowa with the world.

WorldCanvass

WorldCanvass®, which ran for 15 years, was hosted by Joan Kjaer. Through discussions with scholars, community members, and thought leaders, the program explored topics that were international in scope and central to our understanding of how individuals fit into the global landscape.