Amin Bagheri is a current UI student majoring in history and philosophy. Amin’s parents are also alumni of Iowa. Jamshid Bagheri (father) received his MA in aesthetic dentistry and Afsaneh Ghavamnasiri (mother) studied linguistics. Mr. Bagheri was awarded best dentist in Mashhad, Iran and Mrs. Ghavamnasiri takes time to care for at least one orphan in her hometown.

Fatehiya Mohammed and Azeez Al-Jumaili are the parents of Ali-Azeez Ali Al Jumaili, a student from Iraq currently pursuing his doctorate in pharmaceutical socioeconomics.

International Student and Scholar Services is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2016 International Parents of the Year award: Dr. Khalid Joudi and Dr. Maysoon Yasin. They are the parents of recent University of Iowa grad Dr. Kawther Khalid Ahmed, who just received her Ph.D. in pharmaceutics in August. Dr. Ahmed is now a post-doctoral scholar here at the University of Iowa while her husband, Ali Al-Jumaili, finishes his own program. They have two daughters and a little boy here with them in Iowa City.

On February 1 Iowans will choose the presidential candidates in the Democrat and Republican parties who they wish to see move on to the national election. This is a rare opportunity for international visitors to witness a tradition that is very unique to the state of Iowa.

Chinese students at the University of Iowa continue to try making do in a system that isn’t tailored to them, from the admissions process to academics and life on campus, despite moves by the university and others over the past several years to make life more pleasant for them in the United States.

Curious about what it's like to study abroad, but aren't sure where to begin? Get your questions answered and kick start your journey at the upcoming spring study abroad fair! You'll learn about short-term and faculty-led study abroad programs all over the world, which allow you to receive academic credit while advancing your UI degree and exploring other cultures. Stop by at any time from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second floor of the University Capitol Centre on Wednesday, January 27, 2016. Whether you're interested in studying, working, interning or volunteering, you'll get the chance to talk to study abroad advisors, faculty program directors, and even former student participants.

Iowa State University's student government is pushing back against a proposal to raise tuition $1,500 per year for international students. The proposal comes as Iowa State and the University of Iowa are enrolling record numbers of international students.

The number of international students studying at U.S. colleges and universities last year saw its biggest increase in 35 years — an uptick reflected in Iowa, which experienced an 8 percent bump in foreign students and saw a $351 million economic impact, a study shows. Iowa State University and the University of Iowa host the most international students in the state, both ranking in the top 50 nationally out of 1,485 higher education institutions, according to a new 2015 Open Doors Report from the Institute of International Education.

One group in Cedar Rapids is working to make a different for voters in Africa.

Issues affecting Muslims on campus were finally brought to light. The University of Iowa International Programs conducted a workshop titled “Muslims on a Secular Campus” Thursday.

Every year, International Programs - in conjunction with Study Abroad and International Student and Scholar Services - hosts a number of contests open to our returned study abroad and international students. Cash prizes are awarded to the winners in each category. The deadline submission to the photo and video contests is October 31, 2015. Submit your entries today!

In this report, CCTV America, the U.S. division of China's state-run English news channel, takes a look at our very own University of Iowa. The video touches on the dramatic rise in its Chinese student population over the last five years, the challenges and successes that have come with that change, and the ways in which Iowa's relationship to the Chinese president has fueled interest in the university.