The University of Iowa values our relationships with the parents, other family members, and friends of our international students. This site can help you stay updated on the things impacting your students' lives here in Iowa City.
Current news
6/24/2020
From Bangladesh to Iowa: Embracing the Shared Learning Culture
Nafisa Kamal Ayntee spent her early years traveling throughout South Asia. Her father’s career as an agriculturalist, working to support a variety of NGOs, resulted in the family relocating multiple times. One significant move was to the Maldives when Nafisa was five years old. Not only was this a remarkable time due to the birth of her younger sister, it was also when Nafisa was first introduced to the English language
6/12/2020
Pedro Marra: From Brazil to Iowa with a clear vision for his future
Growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Pedro Marra was an active youth who participated in many activities, including swimming, soccer, and tennis. With his parents, younger brother, and many extended relatives around him, he had a strong support network.
6/8/2020
Finding inspiration at the University of Iowa, more than 7,000 miles from home
Yangyi (Edward) Luo’s journey into U.S. education started earlier than many students who study abroad. At the age of 15, he moved from China to Florida’s east coast to attend high school. Although young and living more than 7,000 miles from his home and family, Edward enjoyed his high school years.
6/8/2020
International student spotlight: Frankline Matanji
Reflecting on his academic journey, University of Iowa graduate student Frankline Matanji said, “Sometimes I just sit down and think, ‘I don’t know what happened—I can’t explain this.’” You see, Frankline wasn’t sure he would be able to complete high school, let alone a doctoral program.
5/20/2020
From India to Iowa: Finding a Home and His True Self
Aviral recalls the first three months at the UI as an exciting time, but not without its challenges. Beyond learning how to balance studies, he found himself struggling to make social connections. “Initially, I think I was trying to be someone I wasn’t in order to fit in. It was pretty stressful and really tiring. I finally decided to quit worrying about how to act and just be me. This is when everything started to change.”
5/19/2020
International student spotlight: Ayushi Sood
Finishing her second year as a microbiology major at the University of Iowa, Ayushi Sood says she couldn’t have asked for a better experience. “I have grown so much as a person since I have been at Iowa,” said Sood. “As an international student, my experience has been that people are so welcoming here, which makes me feel that I am an essential part of the university.”
5/18/2020
International student spotlight: Siau-Tong Ding
Following in the footsteps of her mother, a University of Iowa PhD alumna, Siau-Tong Ding enrolled as an undergraduate in 2018. Born and raised in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, Ding came to Iowa City to double-major in environmental policy and planning and anthropology. Now, in preparation for her third year at the university, she is also considering minors in geography or a certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS).
5/11/2020
From South Korea to Iowa: In her father’s footsteps
Sojeong Nam is a PhD candidate in the counselor education and supervision program at the University of Iowa. The inspiration to attend the UI may have come from her father, Dr. Sangin Nam, who, over 30 years earlier, graduated from the same doctoral program at the UI, holding the distinction of being the first international student from South Korea to do so.
5/11/2020
International student spotlight: Yuchen Liu
Yuchen Liu, a fourth-year Ph.D. student originally from Nanjing, China, joined the University of Iowa’s teaching and learning (foreign language and ESL education) graduate program through the College of Education in hopes of broadening and enhancing her language acquisition and teaching skills.
5/11/2020
International student spotlight: Heejin Kim
During a time of extreme uncertainty, leaving many students’ semesters or college careers cut short, some students are finding a silver lining in the current adversity they are facing. Classes are being moved online, commencements are now virtual, and many are finishing their University of Iowa experience from home. Heejin Kim is an international studies and Asian languages student who will be a Spring 2020 graduate from Seoul, South Korea. Showing true Hawkeye spirit, Kim says she wouldn’t have changed a thing about her three and a half years at the UI.
Services and Support for Students
5/20/2020
From India to Iowa: Finding a Home and His True Self
Aviral recalls the first three months at the UI as an exciting time, but not without its challenges. Beyond learning how to balance studies, he found himself struggling to make social connections. “Initially, I think I was trying to be someone I wasn’t in order to fit in. It was pretty stressful and really tiring. I finally decided to quit worrying about how to act and just be me. This is when everything started to change.”
8/29/2016
Certificate program for faculty and staff fosters intercultural campus community
Building Our Global Community is a certificate program offered by International Programs in collaboration with UI Learning & Development that educates University of Iowa faculty and staff about the experiences of international students and scholars, and methods in which they can foster our increasingly intercultural campus community. Participants who complete the series of sessions (one “core” course and four electives) earn a certificate that demonstrates their commitment to supporting international students and scholars in the classroom and workplace.
9/15/2015
University Counseling Services and International Students
An introduction to University Counseling Services and the support they offer for your student.
9/4/2015
2015 International Student Support and Integration Report Available
The 2015 International Student Support and Integration Report, prepared by the University of Iowa International Student Committee, is now available. Covering the period from 2008-2015, the report assesses the growth and effectiveness of programs and initiatives related to international students on the University of Iowa campus.
9/12/2014
What Exactly Does ISSS Do?
The "About" section of our website and new International Student and Scholars Services (ISSS) Facebook page gives a basic description, but what does it really mean and who does ISSS serve?
Academics
11/16/2015
Enrollment of international students at UI soars
The University of Iowa has the 47th-highest international student enrollment in the nation, out of 1,485 higher education institutions in 2014–15, according to data released Nov. 16 as part of the Open Doors Report.
10/14/2015
Midterms, Low Grades, and Guest Account Access to the Iowa Student Information System (ISIS)
A discussion of the fall semester midterms, what happens when students are not doing well, and how to get guest account access to ISIS.
Employment and Volunteering
9/4/2015
International Parents' Blog: Welcome to Fall 2015!
Welcome international families and friends to the new International Parents' Blog! This entry will give you some idea of what your students may be going through at the start of the semester, examples of activities and organizations they can become involved in, and the "culture shock" they might be experiencing.
ISSS events
12/4/2015
University of Iowa Football Game to Be Streamed Internationally
Have a chance to watch American college football as the Iowa Hawkeyes take on Michigan State University!
11/9/2015
Advisor Professional Development - NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Several International Student and Scholar Services staff were recently able to participate in an international education conference in Des Moines, Iowa.
11/4/2015
Halloween at International Programs
International students and scholars were able to enjoy an American tradition - carving the Jack-o'-lantern!
9/4/2015
International Parents' Blog: Welcome to Fall 2015!
Welcome international families and friends to the new International Parents' Blog! This entry will give you some idea of what your students may be going through at the start of the semester, examples of activities and organizations they can become involved in, and the "culture shock" they might be experiencing.
9/19/2014
University of Iowa international students use the ‘buddy’ system
The Gazette reports on the UI's new internaitonal pairing programs including International Programs' 'Friends Without Borders' and the Tippie College of Business' 'International Buddies at Tippie' program
Housing
3/7/2016
You can't always get what you want
I wanted Bowland College, but I got Furness College instead. All students at Lancaster are divided into colleges. Not like “College of Liberal Arts and Sciences” or “College of Nursing”; they’re social colleges, not academic colleges. Think Hogwarts.
Iowa City Community
1/25/2016
The Iowa Caucuses
On February 1 Iowans will choose the presidential candidates in the Democrat and Republican parties who they wish to see move on to the national election. This is a rare opportunity for international visitors to witness a tradition that is very unique to the state of Iowa.
Biographies and Awards
9/17/2015
International Parent of the Year 2015 Runners Up - Ying Pan and Hong Pan
Introducing the ISSS International Parent of the Year runners up for 2015, Ms. Ying Pan and her sister Ms. Hong Pan of China.
9/17/2015
International Parent of the Year 2015 - Hameed Nada Hammad and Lameeah Bunyan Jabal
Introducing the ISSS International Parent of the Year winners for 2015, Mr. Hameed Nada Hammad and Mrs. Lameeah Bunyan Jabal of Iraq.
9/17/2015
ISSS Advisor Brandon Paulson
Get to know International Student and Scholar Services advisor Brandon Paulson!
1/28/2015
International Spotlight: Luis Germán Vargas
Luis Germán Vargas, originally from Bucaramangaro, Colombia, graduated from the University of Iowa in 1972 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Today he lives in Cali, Colombia where he works as a Projects Engineer for Colgate Palmolive.
1/28/2015
International Spotlight: Agnes Lam
Originally from Hong Kong, Agnes graduated from the University of Iowa International Writing Program in 2008 as an Honorary Fellow in Writing. Since then, she has accomplished a wide range of achievements. She was awarded the Nosside International Poetry Prize (Special Mention) in 2008 and some of her poems have been translated into German, Italian and other languages.
1/24/2015
International Spotlight: Harold Van Beek
Harold Van Beek is an alumnus from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. His family is here with him which includes his best friend and wife, Astrid, their son Laurens, who will attend the University of Iowa next year, and two dogs, Kiba and Mocha.
1/23/2015
International Spotlight: Downing Thomas
Dr. Downing A. Thomas is well-known on campus as the Associate Provost and Dean of International Programs. Thomas is also a professor in the Department of French and Italian in CLAS. He received his doctorate in French Literature from New York University, and took a position with the University of Iowa soon after.
12/19/2014
International Spotlight: Star Shen leads Chinese commencement broadcast
Xingyu “Star” Shen, a sophomore psychology and communication studies major, enjoyed serving as commentator for galas and events at his high school in Jiaxing, China. During his first year at the University of Iowa, he was able to put those skills to use. Shen led an effort in May 2014 to broadcast the Tippie College of Business commencement ceremony over the internet with live Chinese commentary.
12/11/2014
International Spotlight: Evans Ochola
International Student and Scholar Services has been very fortunate to work with some wonderful students over the years who devote much of their time outside the classroom to building a strong community for international students. Dr. Evans Ochola is one of those students who remains a friend to ISSS long after finishing his degree programs at the University of Iowa.