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

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...

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

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...

BGC: Story Stitch promotional image

BGC: Story Stitch

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 10:30am 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.
Free Coffee Hour: Shrinky-Dink Keychains promotional image

Free Coffee Hour: Shrinky-Dink Keychains

Thursday, February 26, 2026 2:00pm to 3:00pm
University Capitol Centre
Take a break, treat yourself, and enjoy free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate on us! Join us for a relaxing session where you can create shrinky-dink keychains with friends!
Engaging Across Cultures: Employment promotional image

Engaging Across Cultures: Employment

Monday, March 2, 2026 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Virtual
This session will help guide graduate and professional students to map out their career path after graduation. Facilitators will help tackle some concerns international graduate students might have regarding employment in the United States. Facilitators will assist participants to discover potential career interests and prepare for future employment.
BGC: Engaging Multilingual Learners Across Disciplines promotional image

BGC: Engaging Multilingual Learners Across Disciplines

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Virtual
This course will focus on how to consider and include the perspective of students with English as an additional language in all classrooms.
International Student Hangout: Conversations that Matter promotional image

International Student Hangout: Conversations that Matter

Thursday, March 5, 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...

Free Coffee Hour: DIY Drink Coasters promotional image

Free Coffee Hour: DIY Drink Coasters

Thursday, March 26, 2026 2:00pm to 3:00pm
University Capitol Centre
Enjoy free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and catch up with others after spring break! Plus, make your own drink coaster to take home!

Engaging Across Cultures: Demystifying the Academic Job Search Process promotional image

Engaging Across Cultures: Demystifying the Academic Job Search Process

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Virtual
This session will help students better understand how academic culture(s) impact the academic job search process. Participants will learn about how to navigate the academic job search process and develop application materials that effectively reflect the values and priorities of the institutions and departments to which they are applying.
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