The University of Iowa has the 47th-highest international student enrollment in the nation, out of 1,485 higher education institutions in 2014–15, according to data released Nov. 16 as part of the Open Doors Report.

Sometime during the first half of the soccer match she was attending at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday, Iowa State University junior Emily Wright heard two explosions. They made the 20-year-old Marion native jump. But she assumed they had something to do with the game — a firework or cannon or drum of some kind. It wasn’t until the second half that she and some friends started getting text messages about events unfolding across the city and just yards from where she was standing.

On December 17, 2014, U.S. President Obama and Cuban President Castro announced a new era of openness and interaction between their two countries. As the one-year anniversary approaches, WorldCanvass explores Cuba’s rich history and culture through its architecture and urbanism, focusing on the question ‘what comes next?’ We’ll learn about the long and complex U.S./Cuba relationship through the lens of public health, and discuss new openings for educational exchange and business development on the island. WorldCanvass, which is free and open to the public, begins at 5 p.m. on December 8 at FilmScene in Iowa City.

The Hawkeye UHPC Bridge, made with ultra-high performance concrete from South Korea, made its debut on November 10, 2015, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The bridge is located in Fairbank, Iowa, and was made possible through a collaboration between the University of Iowa, Buchanan County, and the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT). The bridge is just one example of how cutting-edge UI research can connect with experts and funding from our global partners, leading to advances that directly benefit Iowans.

One of the most colorful events on campus is just around the corner.

A remote stretch of gravel road over a no-name creek attracted international guests Tuesday to rural Buchanan County. Engineers representing the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, local dignitaries and politicians also showed up. The lure was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a special bridge in the 1100 block of Deacon Avenue, the first span in the United States utilizing Korean ultra-high performance concrete.

Back in August, I was told that Al Akhawayn University was designed on the American system, differing from most universities of the world in that it involves a “liberal arts” education. Students don’t just study within their specialization, but a wide range of subjects in a way that is meant to broaden one’s worldview and train in critical thinking. But I’m discovering that while you can take the professor out of the Moroccan university, it’s harder to take the Moroccan university out of the professor. Even though the university is “American” in style, that doesn’t change the way individual professors conduct their classes. As a result, I’ve been learning the hard way what it’s like to attend an actual Moroccan university from my two language professors with whom I have a love/hate relationship.

The South Asian Studies and Global Health Studies Programs will host a seminar featuring Professor Susan Heydon of the University of Otago in New Zealand. This event is free and open to the public, and will take place on Thursday, November 19, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. in 1117 UCC.

Moving to another country to study abroad for a year is the definition of getting out of one’s comfort zone. Caitlin and I were both propelled out of our comfort zones as soon as we got on an airplane alone. Luckily, branching out is rewarding as well as challenging. One of my most important goals while studying abroad is to get out of the so-called “American bubble” and challenge myself to meet and talk to students from other parts of the world. This does not mean that traveling with or having American friends while abroad is a bad thing. I am very grateful that I met a fellow Iowa student while here and appreciate that she can relate when I am feeling homesick and want to talk about home. However, the connections I have made with people in Ireland and other international students are equally as important to me and open my mind to new experiences and perspectives. I interviewed Caitlin about her ideas regarding the “American bubble” and her advice for getting out of it.

Before I came to Japan, friends and family would always ask me fairly common questions. Because I am missing out on a few holidays back home this year, I usually get this one: “Do they celebrate Halloween in Japan.” Although Halloween is more typically a Western celebrated holiday, the answer is yes.