Four University of Iowa international undergraduate students from developing countries were chosen to receive Peace, Charlie One World Scholarships in 2023. Funding for the scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Dr. Charles W. Day, a retired clinical psychologist and consultant who was raised in Iowa.
According to Russ Ganim, dean and associate provost of International Programs, the recipients of the Peace, Charlie One World Scholarship deserve special recognition for the way they tie academic and career ambition to the cause of world peace. Winners of this scholarship embody outstanding examples of global vision and leadership.
Read about this year’s recipients:
Nafisa Kamal Ayntee, of Dhaka, Bangladesh, will receive a BS degree in global health studies and a certificate in entrepreneurial management from Iowa in May 2023. Her research interest is in social determinants of health, health equity and development, and women empowerment. She plans to get a master’s degree in global public health.
"Being an international student at the university taught me to seek out opportunities while meeting and working with people from all walks of life."
Sophia Restiffe Favoretto, of São José do Rio Pardo - SP, Brazil, is a third year student in journalism and mass communication. She is interested in visual communication, graphic design, photography, and video production, and plans to get a master’s degree in photography at the UI and eventually immigrate to Italy.
"The University of Iowa was the only place I felt would meet my academic needs and be an inclusive community that I could call home."
Shubhresh Jha, of New Delhi, India, is a fourth year student in electrical and electronics engineering (electrical track), specializing in applied physics, and semiconductors. After graduation, he plans to work as an electrical design engineer, preferably in the avionics or power industry. In the longer term, he intends to get a master’s degree in international relations.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to be an international student at the University of Iowa. The university's commitment to diversity and inclusion has created a welcoming and supportive environment for me to pursue my academic goals and assimilate into new cultures. I have been able to make lifelong connections and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life."
Paige Ho, from Vietnam, will graduate with a BBA in marketing and a BA in journalism and mass communication in May 2023. Her honors research topic is the effect of personalized social media ads on consumer behavior. She hopes to find a job within the marketing field after graduation, and eventually get a master’s degree in marketing.
“As I look back on my years at the University of Iowa as an international student, I was not only able to pursue my academic and career goals but also get the chance to make so many friends along the way. Coming from a different country, I am very lucky to have received all the support from the University of Iowa as well as my support system here. Academically and professionally, I am beyond thankful for all of my mentors in the Tippie College of Business for their guidance through my college journey.”
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.