Dear all,
Happy academic year 23-24!
As students come back and the academic year begins, the excitement on campus is palpable. We all enjoy the slower pace of summer, of course, but nothing replaces the energy of seeing the entire campus up and running at the start of the semester. For International Programs (IP), this time of year is especially important because it signals the arrival of new international students and the return of existing ones. We are delighted to welcome these valued members of our community and are honored they chose the University of Iowa to pursue their studies and aspirations. While we won’t have the final numbers until early-to-mid September, we do know that our numbers of new international students are up, both on the graduate/professional and undergraduate levels. This is due to several factors: the lifting of the pandemic, easier and faster processing of visas, the UI’s superb teaching and research infrastructure, as well as intense recruitment efforts by IP and the Office of Admissions.
The question, “What is internationalization?” has many answers, but the most prominent is that of “people.” Even before COVID, one of IP’s top priorities was to make the university look more like the world. To date, we have succeeded in that endeavor not only by recruiting more international students to our campus, but by striving to attain a wider and deeper distribution of countries represented by our international population. As was the case last year, we are seeing more and more students from South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and especially Sub-Saharan Africa. East Asian countries are still well represented, but the pool continues to expand, leading to a broader convergence of cultures and experiences on our campus.
In welcoming this year’s cohort of new and returning international students, heartiest plaudits go to our International Student and Scholars Services (ISSS) team. Since August 1, ISSS has organized multiple orientation sessions, visa and immigration workshops, game nights, coffee hours, and leadership retreats. The amount of work and dedication shown by our ISSS staff underscores IP’s commitment to making international students feel welcome and appreciated. Creating this sense of belonging, especially as the year begins, reinforces our stated value to take care of our international students and ensure the smoothest start possible to their careers at Iowa. I have had the privilege of meeting some of our new international students—either in the office, or at welcome events such as the breakfast reception the College of Education holds each year for its new students from global destinations. Without question, they are a most impressive group and we are lucky to have them.
As you can imagine, receptions abound this time of year, and one event we always look forward to is the dinner organized by the International Writing Program (IWP) to kick off the fall term. The 2023 Fall Residents hail from all corners of the globe and are among the most noted in their field. As many of you know, the writers spend ten weeks on campus each fall to give readings, visit classes, and most importantly — to write. The IWP is funded by the U.S. Department of State and Iowa has hosted an annual cohort for the last 60+ years. IP supports the IWP in many ways, and we are very proud of this longstanding partnership. If you are on campus this fall, please consider attending some of the events in which the writers will participate. Otherwise, please glance at the writing samples provided in the link above. You will undoubtedly come away impressed by the talent the IWP brings to Iowa City each year, all to the benefit of Iowa’s image as a leader in global engagement.
In next month’s Dean’s message, I’ll focus on the multiple events and visits IP is hosting in September. To give a preview, however, I’d like to mention that on Tuesday, September 5, IP is sponsoring A Mandala of Compassion: The Sacred Art of Buddhist Sand Mandalas. The public talk starts at 7 p.m. in Art Building West, with viewing of the mandala scheduled until Friday, September 8.
With thanks and all best wishes for the fall semester,
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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.