Dear all,
As summer moves past its midpoint, there is much going on in International Programs (IP), and we are excited to update you on our activities. July centered around the Iceland Interdisciplinary Student Expedition. The project involved a collaboration between the University of Iowa's (UI) Colleges of Education, Engineering, and Liberal Arts & Sciences. IP also lent its support to the initiative, which focused on a course offered during the spring semester where students from various academic backgrounds designed payloads to be launched in weather balloons.
The data collected on atmospheric pressure, humidity, and temperature will be used to measure local conditions in Iceland as well as climate change more broadly. Iceland was chosen because its location is where cold Arctic air and warm Atlantic air collide. Rapidly shifting ocean currents and an extremely rugged landscape make for volatile weather conditions that provide rich data for further research. Correspondingly, the relative lack of pollution in Iceland enhances the ability to gather meteorological information.
Over 20 students formed three teams who launched the balloons over the course of two days. They were accompanied by a handful of faculty and administrators from the colleges mentioned above. Shoutouts go to Professor Steve McGuire, director of the project, as well as Deans Sara Sanders and Josh Weiner (CLAS), Ann McKenna (Engineering), and Dan Clay (Education) for their support. In addition, Stratis Giannakouros and Adam Skibbe of the UI’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment, as well as Amira Nash from the College of Education, and Aaron Kennedy of the University of North Dakota, deserve special recognition for their many contributions. The most credit, of course, goes to the students, who built teams, solved problems, and learned to collaborate within the context of a transformative international experience. The skills they acquired on both a personal and professional level will last a lifetime, and it was a privilege for International Programs and for me to be part of this endeavor.
Building community both inside and outside the classroom is a key part of IP’s mission. As you know, our international student community has recently faced enormous headwinds, with our office attempting to alleviate some of the stress through social events that bring people together in a fun and relaxed setting. One such gathering took the form of a Trivia Night organized by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at the Iowa City Public Library. I had the pleasure of emceeing the activity, which was attended by over 30 people. Pizza, pop, and prizes fueled 90 minutes of competition whereby various teams answered questions on geography, entertainment, history, and popular culture. We’ve conducted a number of these events in the past, and they are always well received. Special thanks go to Shuhui Lin and Mairen Thompson of ISSS for organizing our Summer Trivia Night and ensuring its success.
Still within the realm of international students and scholars, IP, in conjunction with Global Ties Iowa and the UI Office of Admissions, hosted a group of Iraqi high school students at the end of July. These college-bound students had stopped at various locations in the U.S. before coming to Iowa, but it was clear that they were especially impressed by the UI’s resources and hospitality. We spent more than an hour with them talking about student life, curricula, and careers. We will keep in touch with these students over the next year or so in the hope that they will apply to Iowa and become Global Hawkeyes.
With thanks for your friendship and best wishes for the remainder of the summer,
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.