A professional development series for international and domestic graduate and professional students at the University of Iowa
This program offered by International Student and Scholar Services extends the success of our Building Our Global Community series for staff and faculty by creating a special series tailored to graduate and professional students at the University of Iowa. 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. Content will include subject matter of interest for both domestic as well as international students. Participants will earn a certificate by completing a series of sessions (a required introduction session + 2 electives), which may also be included in a professional development section on a résumé or CV.
Through the introduction session and elective sessions, participants in Engaging Across Cultures will learn:
- skills to recognize their own culture(s) and how their cultural lens influences their interactions
- techniques for developing and applying intercultural skills in academia, including in the classroom, lab, or research group
- strategies to enhance intercultural communication and understand the needs of multilingual learners
- skills to navigate cultural expectations in the job search process
- strategies to utilize in the professional context outside higher education
Fall 2025 Schedule
Core Session
Introduction to Engaging Across Cultures
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 3:00-4:30 p.m. | Virtual (Zoom)
Instructor: Brandon Paulson, Associate Director, International Student and Scholar Services
Description:
This introduction session will introduce the Engaging Across Cultures certificate program and share an overview of the international student population at the University of Iowa. Participants will have opportunity to learn about culture and the cultural adjustment experienced when living in a new culture. Participants will examine their own cultural lens and how it influences their interactions.
Participants who attend this session will learn:
- skills to recognize their own culture(s) and how their cultural lens influences their interactions
- changes occurring when living in a new culture and strategies to assist with the transition
- strategies to enhance intercultural communication
Elective Sessions
Story Stitch
Wednesday, October 15 | 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Virtual (Zoom)
Instructors: Pauline Beazer James, Senior Advisor, International Student and Scholar Services; Rudia W. Kihura, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Special Education, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; and Brandon Paulson, Associate Director, International Student and Scholar Services
Description:
In this interactive session, we will engage in the Story Stitch activity to learn about each other through the stories shared and conversations ignited. This activity involves splitting into groups with each member introducing themselves, and then the group taking turns answering story card questions with members having the opportunity to build on each other’s answers using the stitch cards. By engaging in this activity, we will learn more about the unique backgrounds of the group and become more connected.
Participants in this session will learn:
- how storytelling can build trust, create group cohesion, and develop interpersonal connections
- different perspectives and experiences
- valuable tool to foster deeper conversations
Navigating Intercultural Conflicts
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. | Virtual (Zoom)
Instructors: Shuhui Lin, International Education Program and Student Affairs Advisor, International Student and Scholar Services, and Brandon Paulson, Associate Director, International Student and Scholar Services
Description:
In this interactive session, participants will explore the four intercultural conflict styles using the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICS). The ICS is an 18-item assessment that measures individuals’ core approaches to communicating about differences, resolving conflicts, and solving problems across cultures. Participants will be sent instructions by email before this session about how to complete the online ICS inventory in preparation for this session.
Registering for this session entails:
- Participating by engaging in discussions and activities
- Completing the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (IDI) (15 – 20 minutes) sent by email before this session
Participants in this session will be able to:
- describe the four distinct intercultural conflict styles and how they impact communication and conflict resolution
- identify their personal preferred conflict style and gain insights into how others navigate conflicts
- apply ICS concepts through discussions and case studies, emphasizing practical application in work, academic environment, and home settings
Engaging Multilingual Learners Across Disciplines
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 3:00-4:30 p.m. | Virtual (Zoom)
Instructors: Tamar Bernfeld, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Center for Teaching
Description:
This session will focus on how to consider and include the perspective of students with English as an additional language in all classrooms. We will invite participants to reflect on their own experiences to inform our conversation and discuss how to accommodate the needs of diverse learner backgrounds.
Participants in this session will learn:
- teaching strategies intended to welcome multilingual learners
- techniques for giving transparent feedback to all students
- inclusive assignment and learning activity design
Participants may take sessions individually, without working toward a certificate. Successful fulfillment of Engaging Across Cultures requires completion of the introduction session and two elective sessions. Engaging Across Cultures is free of charge to participants and the program does not offer course credit for participating in it. Individuals who complete the professional development certificate program will receive a certificate and be recognized on the International Programs website.
"Engaging Across Cultures' provided me a comfortable and open zone to share my experience related to learning, teaching, and life in Iowa as well as in the U.S. A. I appreciate this valuable opportunity provided by ISSS, allowing diverse communities to represent ourselves equally and present ourselves confidently. Also, all presenters and participants are respectful and friendly to each other, listening to others expectations and perspectives. It is worth to be mentioned that the shared ideas and experiences while brainstorming solutions is really interesting and helpful for further personal
Program Contact
Contact Brandon Paulson with questions about Engaging Across Cultures by email brandon-paulson@uiowa.edu or phone (319) 335-0335.
UI Accessibility Statement
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Brandon Paulson in advance at (319) 335-0335.