Established in Fall 2020 by the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), the iPeer Mentorship Program (iPeer) pairs new international students (mentees) with returning international students (mentors). As the only peer-to-peer mentorship program designed for international students on campus, iPeer aims to provide support to new international students for their transition in the first semester and personal development, as well as to empower them to become leaders on campus.

Despite being an international student on paper, Pareen Mhatre, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in business administration, lists Iowa City as her hometown.

Ebenezer (“Eben”) Aidoo, PhD student in the UI Department of Communication Studies, had several admissions offers from other graduate programs, but chose the University of Iowa “…because of the outstanding teaching and learning resources available for graduate students, reasonable cost of living, stellar health insurance package for graduate teaching and research assistants, and the vibrant academic community in Iowa City.”

Hao Zhou, a third-year MFA student in film and video production, recently added a Student Academy Award to the list of film awards and nominations he has received over the years. As the University of Iowa’s first recipient of this honor, he won the Gold Medal award in the category of Alternative/Experimental for his film Frozen Out. He submitted Frozen Out for a 2022 Oscar nomination for Best Live Action Short Film and will learn soon whether it is selected.

Born and raised in Brazil, Gustavo Campos is a fourth-year finance student from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business who will start his career at the London office of Jefferies Group LLC, an American multinational independent investment bank and financial services company, after graduation in May 2022. He will be working as a sales and trading analyst in the emerging markets desk. Gustavo says he was drawn to this career path by a combination of extracurricular activities, internships, and the fact that he was born and raised in an emerging country.

Over 170 meals were served to University of Iowa students and members of the surrounding community during a special Thanksgiving meal event on Monday, November 22. 

International Programs, the Center for Diversity and Enrichment, and the Office of the Dean of Students are partnering to host a special Thanksgiving meal for UI students and community members on Monday, November 22. For students who stay on campus during Fall Break week, the meal offers an opportunity for them to celebrate Thanksgiving, eat with other students and community members, and join in community with each other.

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.

The Engaging Across Cultures certificate program creates an opportunity for University of Iowa graduate and professional students to learn more about fostering an intercultural campus while honing skills that will carry into the future workplace. To earn a certificate, participants must complete the introductory session and two elective sessions. Sessions are offered in the fall and spring semesters with some of the sessions being offered each semester.

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.

Hailing from Yongin, South Korea, Seongsu Kim realized his goal of studying in the United States when he decided to attend the University of Iowa. The economics major is heavily involved in campus activities and is appreciative of the “strong bond” of Hawkeyes. Learn more about his experiences on campus below.