About 100 people gathered to celebrate the International Student Advisory Board and express gratitude to outstanding individuals and teams whose hard work and efforts have enhanced the experiences of international students at Iowa.

ISAB advocates for improving the international student experience and creating a campus environment more inclusive to international students.

Katherine Lyu is a recipient of the 2023 Global Student Award, which recognizes one undergraduate and one graduate student who are leaders deeply engaged in international education on campus or abroad. Lyu is an undergraduate student from Xiamen, China, majoring in English & creative writing. 

Nanle Joseph Gusen, a PhD student enrolled in the UI College of Nursing, shares his inspiring journey, from his upbringing in Nigeria to his current role as a student leader on campus.

Learn more about Katherine Lyu, a junior from China majoring in creative writing and philosophy, through this Q&A piece.

A chemist by trade and originally from India, Skaria came to the University of Iowa in 2021 when she took up a postdoctoral scholar position in Daly Research Group. 

Fascha Aryasa, a first-year computer science student from Bali, Indonesia, has become deeply involved in campus life in just a few short months.

In a celebration of perseverance, accomplishment, and their collective experiences, international students at the University of Iowa held an affinity graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 12.

Onyeche Oche, PhD student in the UI College of Pharmacy, had several admission offers from other pharmacy programs, but chose the University of Iowa after meeting with faculty members, who Oche says, “…saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself.”

Divija Sharma, University of Iowa psychology major, spent the first year of her academic experience in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She made the most of her remote learning experience and is thrilled to be on campus this year, involved with student organizations, research, and learning about American football.

Shuhui Lin, international student support and engagement coordinator in International Programs and the Division of Student Life, was recently recognized with the University of Iowa Outstanding Staff Award.

International students and scholars recently had an opportunity to learn about campus involvement from current and former leadership team members of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB). Sponsored by International Student Support & Engagement (ISSE) and International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), the event was held on Friday, August 27, and featured four panel members—each with significant leadership experience in campus student organizations. Shuhui Lin, International Student Support and Engagement Coordinator, moderated the panel.