The 2019 Provost’s Global Forum, “Why School? International Perspectives on Education and Social Transformation” (April 11-13), will examine education in a global context, both as a reflection of social norms and as a powerful force for change. We kick off the symposium on April 11 with WorldCanvass, when host Joan Kjaer and an expert panel discuss the societal roles played by educational institutions here and abroad. WorldCanvass is a free, public event at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street. The program begins at 5:30 p.m., with a pre-show reception from 5-5:30 p.m.

I had the plane ticket. The suitcase filled with Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein storybooks. I was ready to teach English in France.

University of Iowa alumna Laura Semprini, 27, of Iowa City, IA and her husband Jason Semprini, 28, of Cedar Rapids, IA have been accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for Fiji Aug. 31 to begin training as a youth development volunteers. The Semprinis will live and work at the community level to promote and develop healthy lifestyles and environmental awareness in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth and Sport.

Zadok Nampala, international student adviser at North Iowa Area Community College, can relate to those he's helping because he was once in their shoes. Nampala, or "Z," as he is known around campus, grew up in Kenya and attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and the University of Iowa. Nampala, who has been at NIACC since August, speaks seven languages and frequently uses three of them — Spanish, Arabic and Swahili — when speaking to the international students at NIACC so "they feel at home," he said.