Dear everyone,

I hope that your summer is in full swing and you are enjoying the somewhat more relaxed pace that comes with this time of year. Calm as summer may be for some, it is a very active time in the world of study abroad. In terms of overall numbers, the University of Iowa’s (UI) participation rate in study abroad is roughly 85-90 percent of that before the start of COVID-19. We are very encouraged by these figures, as they attest to the unflagging curiosity of Iowa students to see the world.

While we are sending students all over the globe through various program providers, we are especially heartened by student interest in faculty-led programs. This summer, Iowa is sponsoring seven faculty-led study abroad programs. Some programs have concluded, and others are still running, but what stands out is our faculty and students continually devote a significant part of their summer to experiential learning overseas. Each of the faculty-led programs deserves recognition, but it is especially gratifying to see the continuing interest in the Irish Writing Program (now in its 26th year!), the Iowa Hispanic Institute, and Shakespeare’s England. These distinguished programs highlight Iowa’s strengths in writing and the humanities. Of note as well, is our Sustainable Chemistry Along the Rhine River program, underscoring Iowa’s commitment to preserving the environment as it deals with the effects of climate change.  

With studying abroad comes many valuable learning opportunities, among them internships that advance students’ career aspirations. In this vein, I would like to call special attention to the winners of our Dr. Ken Magid Scholarships; the recipients are among Iowa’s finest students. They are pursuing training opportunities in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South America, with fields ranging from public health to refugee assistance, to neuroscience. The Dr. Ken Magid Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of our dear friend, Linda Baker (’68 BA), whose vision and leadership have advanced international education at Iowa for decades.

The Baker Teacher Leader Center in the UI College of Education is the motor behind many global initiatives here at Iowa, among the most notable of which is the Global Education Institute for Teachers, co-sponsored every summer by International Programs and the College of Education. The Global Education Institute for Teachers enhances the professional development of K-12 teachers by providing workshops, information sessions, and guest lectures on topics related to global competency. Sessions run throughout the month of June, with the first gathering this year held at the UI Stanley Museum of Art. I was fortunate enough to meet with the teachers, who, in no small way, are the unsung champions of international education throughout our state. One cannot help but be inspired by their enthusiasm and commitment, which actually begins at the Pre-K level. One conversation that stuck in my mind was with a pre-school teacher who is introducing the benefits of global learning to children at the earliest of ages. Indeed, the training and recruitment of future Global Hawkeyes starts as soon as possible! 

Before signing off, I did want to provide a brief update on our cooperative agreement in Kosovo sponsored by USAID. Since the launch in Prishtina this past April, the initiative has moved ahead at full speed. The hiring for the project is nearly complete, and meetings between faculty, students, and business partners in the tech and agriculture sectors are well underway.

And while the USAID cooperative agreement is the centerpiece of the UI’s activity in Kosovo, we would also like to signal the collaboration between the University of Prishtina and the University Counseling Service (UCS), the UI’s primary mental health service provider for students. Please take some time to read the account by Dr. Zamira Hyseni Duraku from the University of Prishtina about the research she conducted with UCS this past academic year. As we focus more on the mental health and general well-being of our students, partnerships such as the one led by Dr. Hyseni Duraku bring tangible benefits to our student community while enhancing Iowa’s reputation abroad.  

In wishing you a Happy July 4th holiday, I remain ever grateful for your support. 

Yours, 

Russ 

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.