International Programs has selected its summer and fall 2026 Hawkeye Abroad Creators! Launched in 2025, the program highlights students studying abroad who serve as digital ambassadors by sharing their experiences in real time on the @uiabroad Instagram account.
Each creator receives a $250 stipend to produce content that captures everyday life abroad, helping Iowa students back on campus gain a more personal and relatable look at study abroad while envisioning what the experience could look like for themselves.
The summer and fall 2026 cohort includes six students who will document their experiences in South Korea, South Africa, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Meet the summer and fall 2026 Hawkeye Abroad Creators:
Leila Assadi, a third-year student double majoring in economics and political science from Bettendorf, Iowa, is interning this summer with the CIEE Summer Global Internship in Seoul, South Korea program.
Why did you choose to intern abroad in South Korea?
“I applied for a CIEE Summer Global Internship in Seoul as a way for me to build on the global experiences I first gained in South Korea when participating in the Korea University Exchange in spring 2025. I am excited for this internship opportunity as it will allow me to build on the skills and experiences I have gained while working at Global Ties Iowa, an Eastern Iowa nonprofit organization that coordinates international delegations for professional exchanges. Furthermore, with my ultimate goal of attending law school to specialize in international law, an internship working with refugees will be both a unique and rewarding opportunity.”
Why did you want to be a Hawkeye Abroad Creator?
“One of my main goals in being a Hawkeye Abroad Creator is to hopefully introduce and encourage other University of Iowa students to consider participating in a study abroad program in Asia, especially South Korea. When I was studying at Korea University for my exchange semester in 2025, I was the only Tippie student and one of four University of Iowa students in South Korea. This upcoming summer, I am again one of only a handful of Iowa students completing an internship in South Korea. I hope I can open doors that other students would not have considered by creating posts and reels, doing story takeovers, and sharing photos and quotes.”
Kimberly Ibarra, a second-year student majoring in chemistry on the pre-med track from Waukee, Iowa, is interning this summer with the IES Abroad Cape Town Summer - Health Studies program.
Why did you choose to intern abroad in South Africa?
“I selected Cape Town because it is a location where fewer students typically study abroad. As a pre‑med student, I knew I wanted an internship that would challenge me to understand healthcare beyond the U.S. system. Choosing Cape Town wasn’t just about going abroad to have a fun experience, it was about growing into the kind of future pediatrician I want to become by being exposed to a different culture.”
Why did you want to be a Hawkeye Abroad Creator?
“I want to be a Hawkeye Abroad Creator, because I want to share my journey abroad with Iowa! I've heard that going abroad is such a great experience, and I want to be able to document it to inspire others. I also want to be an inspiration for students as someone who comes from a unique background and is a first‑generation student. Being a first-generation student, I didn’t grow up seeing examples of people traveling internationally for education, so I want to be that example for others. Documenting my experience in Cape Town would let me share the real, unfiltered parts of going abroad. I love creating content documenting my life, so I want to create content that feels real and inspiring for students who might think studying abroad isn’t for them. I hope to show that stepping into the world is possible, and worth it.”
Emma Koeppen, a fourth-year student majoring in exercise science from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is interning this summer with the CEA CAPA Internship in Florence, Italy program.
Why did you choose to intern abroad in Italy?
“Before deciding to study abroad, I watched my three current roommates fall in love with their experience studying and traveling abroad, which ultimately was my deciding factor. I chose to pursue an internship through CEA CAPA because of the wide range of opportunities they could place you in and the ability to take a specific internship class while there. This class is going to help me embrace my experience and apply what I'm learning to my future career. There will be mock interviews, e-portfolio building, presentations, and resume enhancements.”
Why did you want to be a Hawkeye Abroad Creator?
“Becoming a Hawkeye Abroad Creator would allow me to positively represent not only the University of Iowa but also the Department of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology. As an exercise science major, I do not see enough representation of healthcare majors and the opportunities for them abroad. Following the @uiabroad Instagram account has been helpful for finding different study abroad programs, travel locations, restaurants, and classes to take. By sharing my experience over the span of nine weeks, I hope to give other Iowa students a glimpse into the possibilities they can encounter while in a different country.”
Halle Weber, a second-year student majoring in nursing from Lawler, Iowa, is studying this summer with the Iowa Hispanic Institute program.
Why did you choose to study abroad in Spain?
“I chose this program and host location in Spain because it directly supports both my academic goals and future career in nursing. As a pre-nursing student pursuing a minor in Spanish, I want to build confidence communicating with Spanish-speaking patients, and being fully immersed in Spain will allow me to practice the language in real, everyday situations. Overall, this program will help me grow both personally and academically while preparing me to provide more compassionate and inclusive care.”
Why did you want to be a Hawkeye Abroad Creator?
I want to be a Hawkeye Abroad Creator because I enjoy sharing meaningful experiences in a way that connects with others. When I was deciding whether to study abroad, I remember struggling to find clear, relatable content that showed what the experience actually looks like day to day. Because of that, I want to be someone who provides that perspective for future Hawkeyes.”
Sean Keene, a third-year student triple majoring in political science, journalism, and Spanish from Columbia, Missouri, is interning this summer with the IES Abroad Rome Summer - Internship program.
Why did you choose to intern abroad in Italy?
“I selected [this program] because a friend recommended it for the great journalism opportunities, including creating content and being able to travel easily to other locations around Europe. Italy and Rome also present a new challenge for me, as they are places I haven’t been before, and I want to continue building my skills as a journalist in an international setting.”
Why did you want to be a Hawkeye Abroad Creator?
“I have loved the work I have been able to do as a Study Abroad Peer Mentor during the school year, and I feel the next logical step is to continue to mentor Hawkeyes and produce content abroad as a Hawkeye Abroad Creator. I see this opportunity as a way of continuing to give back to the many people at the university and International Programs who poured into me and gave me the opportunities to find myself and thrive while studying abroad. Being a Hawkeye Abroad Creator isn’t about serving my own image; it's about using my image to give back and promote the institutions that made it all possible and inspire others to take those same steps to change their lives.”
Sophia Palmer, a second-year student majoring in entrepreneurship from Swisher, Iowa, is studying this fall with the Iowa Regents in Scotland: University of Edinburgh program.
Why did you choose to study abroad in the United Kingdom?
“I chose the University of Edinburgh for my study abroad program because it is a world-famous university in a city full of culture and opportunities. As an entrepreneurship major at the University of Iowa, I wanted to learn about business and innovation from a different perspective. Living and studying in Scotland will let me experience a new culture and way of thinking, which I know will help me become more creative and adaptable.”
Why did you want to be a Hawkeye Abroad Creator?
“I want to be a Hawkeye Abroad Creator because I’m excited to share the study abroad experience with other students and show them learning can expand beyond Iowa. I believe studying abroad is more than just attending classes; it’s about stepping outside your comfort zone. Through social media and content creation, I want to capture those moments in a way that is fun, authentic, and inspiring, helping future students see the opportunities and growth that come from studying abroad.”
Follow their experiences abroad
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.