Authored by Amy Brewster

An archaeology dig in Sicily…performances of Shakespeare’s work…learning about Spain’s culture through conversations with Spaniards…all from the comforts of home. These experiences represent a small sampling of what students can expect from virtual study abroad course offerings this summer. The courses, led by UI faculty members, illustrate a bright spot of the COVID-19 pandemic—innovation through necessity. Student interest in learning about the world around them hasn’t diminished just because international travel isn’t possible at the moment. A growing group of faculty members has accepted the challenge to create virtual study abroad courses that allow students a rich learning experience—often featuring small-group discussions with in-country experts and scholars, hands-on cultural activities, livestreamed performances, and guided tours of historical sites.

Bitten by the travel bug at a young age after a European trip with his family, Will Sobecki (BBA finance ‘20) set his sights on study abroad during college. After exploring his options with Cory Petersen, senior advisor and program coordinator in the UI Study Abroad office, Sobecki settled on a semester-long study abroad program through IES in Milan, Italy. “Milan blew my expectations away,” said Sobecki.

Nearly two dozen University of Iowa students had the opportunity to travel virtually to Italy over the winter term, thanks to the Virtual International Business in Italy course offering through the Tippie College of Business.

Phi Beta Delta, an academic and professional society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in global education has a renewed presence on the University of Iowa campus.

Initially enrolled as a PhD student in speech and hearing science, Venkitakrishnan soon added the AUD (clinical doctorate in audiology) program. “There are a lot of challenges that come with being a combined PhD and AUD student, but my department has helped me manage clinical schedules and teaching assignments and my research advisor has been very understanding, “ says Venkitakrishnan. “I love my department. I realize why it is ranked so highly as one of the best programs—my department has been really supportive of everything I have wanted to do.”

Reflecting on his academic journey, University of Iowa graduate student Frankline Matanji said, “Sometimes I just sit down and think, ‘I don’t know what happened—I can’t explain this.’” You see, Frankline wasn’t sure he would be able to complete high school, let alone a doctoral program.

International Programs created a video message featuring University of Iowa alumni across the globe to celebrate Hawkeye unity in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Finishing her second year as a microbiology major at the University of Iowa, Ayushi Sood says she couldn’t have asked for a better experience. “I have grown so much as a person since I have been at Iowa,” said Sood. “As an international student, my experience has been that people are so welcoming here, which makes me feel that I am an essential part of the university.”

Nearing completion of his PhD in biomedical engineering, Srivats reflected on the collaboration between UI Hospitals & Clinics and the UI College of Engineering, saying, “Lucky for me, both my masters project and my PhD dissertation have stemmed from collaboration with surgeons and doctors at the hospital. Really, Iowa is an amazing place for biomedical engineers because there is so much data available to researchers as well as access to doctors...” That collaboration between UI Hospitals & Clinics and the College of Engineering became even more evident shortly after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.

Staff members at International Programs at the University of Iowa created a video message for students to convey the message, "we are here for you." President Harreld and Provost Fuentes also lent a hand to the video production.