Our International Spotlight features focus not only on those who came here from abroad, but also on American students who devoted a significant part of their time to intercultural activities while enrolled here at the University of Iowa, as well as faculty and staff who support internationalization at Iowa.

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.

Luis has many fond memories from his time at Iowa. Among his favorites are seeing and feeling snow for the first time, hanging out at the Union on nights and weekends, and jogging at the Field House.

He especially enjoyed bonding with other students over their mutual love of soccer. In 1969 Luis and a group of students formed a Varsity team called The Infernos. 

“We played from 1969 to 1972 and were champions for three years,” Luis said.

Outside of the classroom and the soccer pitch, Luis said that the most valuable lesson he learned was to make friends and be at peace with people from all over the world.

“No matter where you are from, in the end, we are all alike with the same ambitions and wishes,” he said.

Luis gives special thanks the Priester family in Davenport, who was his host family for a month, his thesis adviser, Ralph Stephens, as well as fellow students and good friends Mack Thomas, Linnea Carlson and Barbara Armstron for making his Iowa experience so memorable.