My name is Alyssa, I am a senior studying Biomedical Engineering. I am excited to tell you about my study abroad experience in Alicante, Spain! Alicante really exceeded my expectations, I loved everything about that city. From its beautiful beaches and mountains to the cute little cafes on every block, it really is one of the most beautiful places I have visited.

While immigrants have long fueled the American experiment, passionate debate about the pros and cons of immigration are nothing new. The rhetoric of recent national and local elections highlights tensions around changing demographics, inspiring debate about the impact of immigration on employment, on crime, and on community identity, while challenging the citizenry to examine their values and notions of what it means to be an American. On the next WorldCanvass, host Joan Kjaer and a diverse panel of guests will discuss the history of immigration in the Midwest over the past century and a half, as well as current questions about bilingualism, multiculturalism, and belonging and exclusion in times of international and domestic conflict. The public is invited to attend the free WorldCanvass discussion on Wednesday, March 8, from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Voxman Recital Hall.

The Fulbright Lunch & Learn seminar series continues with "Papermaking Path: A Fulbright Fellowship in Japan, 1975-1977," featuring guest speaker Timothy Barrett, director of the Center for the Book and professor in the UI School of Library and Information Science. This event will take place Friday, March 3, from 12:30-1:20 p.m. in 1117 University Capitol Centre.

Join International Programs for a new program aimed at helping underrepresented students at the UI apply for highly competitive international education scholarships, grants, and fellowships on Monday, March 6, 2017 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in 1117 University Capitol Centre. 

Study Abroad will host a study aboard returnee event on Wednesday, March 1 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Mill in Iowa City.  Returned UI study abroad students and interested friends are invited to join in for an evening of conversation and pizza catered by the Mill.

Congrats! If you’re reading this, it means you’ve been thinking about going abroad with the University of Iowa. I know the decision is sometimes a difficult one, especially when you fall into an under represented group in study abroad, such as identifying as LGBTQ+ . I urge you to explore your options, however. Taking your academic experience abroad can be a great way to learn more about yourself, another culture and country, and widen your perspective on the world.

"Faces of Diplomacy," a traveling exhibit featuring portraits and videos of those who serve on the frontlines of diplomacy, will be on display at the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) from February 23-25. The free exhibit will be located in Hubbard Commons and may be viewed during IMU open hours, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

During her MA in International Studies at the University of Iowa, Rupe became involved with the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC).

Despite having his girlfriend, brother, and belongings in the United States, University of Iowa graduate student Farzad Salamifar was banned from entering the country.

Kevin Kinser will be the second speaker in the Commitment to Internationalization lecture series. His talk, "International University Research Ventures: A Faculty-Focused Agenda for Comprehensive Internationalization," will be on Friday, March 3, at 4:30 p.m. in the Old Capitol Senate Chamber. This lecture continues the conversation about the UI's vision and strategic themes for campus internationalization.