The Muslim Student Association hosted Islam Awareness Week on campus last week with daily events to increase general knowledge and awareness of Islam and promote inclusion and acceptance.

Amid a four-year decline in international student enrollment at the University of Iowa, a DI staffer from India narrates his journey moving from India to Iowa and calling it home.

Yufei Qu, international student from China, talks about her experiences at the University of Iowa.

Emily Gumal, international student from Malaysia, talks about her experiences at the University of Iowa.

International Programs Annual Photo Contest one highlight of International Education Week

The impact of international students is significant.

Nearly 120 flags will drape the pedestrian bridge behind the Iowa Memorial Union to recognize the University of Iowa’s international students and their significant role in the life of the university. The bridge over the Iowa River will be the focus of Bridging Our World, a five-day display featuring the flags of the 116 countries represented by international students attending the UI during the fall 2018 semester. “Bridging Our World colorfully symbolizes the university’s longstanding commitment to diversity, inclusion, and creating a welcoming campus environment for our international students,” says J. Bruce Harreld, University of Iowa president.

Dr. Hyaeweol Choi describes her academic journey as “rather peculiar and unconventional.”While pursuing her undergraduate degree in Korea in the 1980s, Hyaeweol was deeply engaged in intellectual political movements that advocated Korean scholars developing indigenous ways of knowing and creating a deeper understanding of their own history, society, and culture instead of constantly relying on Euro-American theories and methods. With that background, she was resistant to the idea of going to the U.S. for her advanced studies. However, after being accepted to and receiving a scholarship to SUNY-Buffalo, she decided to take a chance and move to the U.S. When she told her colleagues of her decision, many of them were shocked, some even actively opposed the idea. Still, she decided to take the plunge and now looks back fondly at that decision.

Seven of the 21 Iowa field-hockey players are thousands of miles away from the place they call home.

Program offers platform for learning, inclusiveness, and friendship

Seven countries are affected, five with mostly Muslim populations.

Senior Akash Bhalerao will graduate from the University of Iowa this weekend. Bhalerao has been involved with numerous UI organizations and departments and has become a familiar face on the campus.