International Programs Annual Photo Contest one highlight of International Education Week

Learn about Akash Bhalerao, undergraduate student from India, pursuing a BA in interdepartmental studies--studying social entrepreneurship and environmental restoration.

Learn about Clarisse Chia, undergraduate student from Malaysia, pursuing a double-major in actuarial science and mathematics.

Qingyang Su, an undergraduate student in the College of Engineering, is an international student at the University of Iowa. Hailing from Beijing, China, Qingyang has embraced the opportunity to learn about American culture, meet new people, and challenge himself through research and teaching assistant experiences.

President Trump signed an executive order Monday, March 6, that will impact visa processing abroad for international students and scholars, and will also impact some faculty, staff, and students traveling abroad. View the latest information on the impact of the executive order in our "ISSS Announcements" pane on our ISSS home page. On Monday, March 6, the University of Iowa released this official statement: "Each of you, regardless of your background or country of origin, is welcome in our community. You bring perspectives and experiences that, taken together, enrich the educational experience, advance research and discovery, and prepare UI students to thrive in their lives and careers. The University of Iowa will continue to support the values that underpin our core missions as a public institution of higher education." - Downing Thomas, associate provost and dean of International Programs

International student parents Mohammad Shamsul Alam and Shamsun Naher Nilu are further proof that we can work hard and make our children’s lives better than our own. Asif Mahmood Alam is an international graduate student at the University of Iowa working on his MBA. His parents believe the American dream is obtainable, and can be reached through sacrifice, hard work and support. 

It isn’t being taught how to study that’s important, it’s being directed to understand why. This is a virtue that goes undiscovered by many, but it’s apparent in University of Iowa international student Hyun Jin Ko of South Korea. Ko describes the many virtues of her parents and they are quite impressive. Ko’s father, Jeongsik Ko, is a professor at Pai Chai University in South Korea and a former visiting research scientist at the University of Iowa. Her mother, Soon Dohkgoh, is a senior research engineer for the Korean Institute of Defense Analysis (KIDA).

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.

New this year, International Student Appreciation Day is an event that will take place on Wednesday, November 16 between 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Kautz Plaza, and between 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the east side of the Pentacrest. Students are invited to stop by for free buttons and refreshments! 

Recently, I got a phone call from one of my best friends since high school. She lives in China and attends university in Beijing. After our chat, I started thinking about the differences between college life for a Chinese student here and in China. As an international student, I love my life in Iowa City and the American opportunities I have to experience. Still, I embrace my Chinese roots.