Authored by Iowa Now

In recognition of its ongoing commitment to educational exchange between the U.S. and China, the University of Iowa was recently chosen as one of eight signature partners of the 100,000 Strong Foundation for 2014-15. With this new partnership, the UI hopes to increase the number of students studying abroad in China and increase the number of American students studying Mandarin language.

As the only institute of its kind in the Midwest, King Sejong Institute at the University of Iowa will bring Korean language and culture to the Iowa City community, beginning Oct. 9 with a public kickoff celebration.

The state of Iowa’s long-standing ties to Hebei Province in China will continue to strengthen with a new American Cultural Center opening in the provincial capital of Shijiazhuang next year. The center will offer educational and cultural programming in Iowa’s sister state of more than 30 years, and Hebei community members will be able to participate in Iowa's summer, state-wide bike tour RAGBRAI.

As the number of international students at the University of Iowa continues to rise, the campus remains committed to providing opportunities to promote interaction with domestic students. A new endeavor for the 2014-2015 academic year is the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB). The 12-student committee will serve as a channel for increasing domestic-international student interactions and improving international students' experiences at the University of Iowa, while functioning as a joint committee of both the graduate and undergraduate student governments.

Sometimes, meeting a new person can be stressful because of the unknown. But that wasn’t the case for University of Iowa seniors Hyejung Kim and Jade Manternach. Even though their hometowns are thousands of miles away, Kim and Manternach say they knew their introduction through the International Buddies at Tippie program would go well because they already had at least two things in common—the desire to gain a new friend and learn from each other.

A mobile app that has changed the way international students view restaurant menus started with a disastrous date. Mortified after ordering a salad topped with moldy cheese for his dining companion, University of Iowa student RuiHao Min came up with the idea for a visual menu translation app to help international students make more informed ordering decisions.

Kelsey Frisk’s adventures in Sweden started with studying abroad and ended with researching reindeer herding communities. UI students can learn about study abroad opportunities at the annual fair Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Aly Olson, a senior from Des Moines, is pursuing a bachelor of music in vocal performance, along with certificates in music education and performing arts entrepreneurship. At the UI, she has been involved in various activities and causes, including a study abroad program in Brazil. The 21-year-old is taking a year off from the UI to fulfill her duties as Miss Iowa, but will return next year.

International Programs and FilmScene will celebrate their new WorldCanvass partnership with a public launch party on Sunday, Aug. 24, from 7 to 10 p.m. at FilmScene. The event is free and open to the public. Guests are invited to come explore WorldCanvass’ new home and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and live music on the rooftop patio. There will be brief remarks at 8 p.m.

Eight University of Iowa students and alumni have been awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants to conduct research, undertake creative projects, or serve as English teaching assistants abroad in 2014-15.