International programs experts credit the United States’ top quality higher education system, in part, for the rise in global applications. And Downing Thomas, associate provost and dean of UI International Programs, said students who come to Iowa from abroad gain valuable exposure to the U.S. educational system, culture and post-graduation opportunities.

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.

Do you want to try cooking Korean food? Learn about Korean culture while making Korean food at one of several cooking classes offered by the King Sejong Institute at the University of Iowa.

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.

For University of Iowa students who stay on campus over Thanksgiving, it can be difficult to celebrate the holidays. So, for the second time since 2013, UI held a Harvest Dinner open to students, faculty and staff at the Old Brick community center at 26 East Market St. The Center for Diversity and Enrichment, Provost’s Office and International Student and Scholar Services sponsored the event.

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 student is coming to terms with his sexuality halfway across the world. “In my hometown, there are some gay people I know. They never told others they are gays. They do not want to show their sexualities to others, so they pretend to be straight,” said University of Iowa student Shanyi Shang.

Masked by pseudonyms and anonymity, social media is often viewed as an attractive way to express one’s feelings candidly. But the same technology that allows users to share ideas and constructively engage with others too often devolves into a toxic, often hurtful environment. As social apps like Yik Yak, which allow users to anonymously share their opinions about anything and everything with those nearby, continue to gain popularity at the University of Iowa, many Asian-identifying students have found themselves the subject of racist and xenophobic messages.

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!

Introducing the ISSS International Parent of the Year runners up for 2015, Ms. Ying Pan and her sister Ms. Hong Pan of China.

From the intimate to the ordinary, life in this Midwestern college town is changing. The iconic Hamburg Inn, the diner where presidential candidates have stumped for decades, still dishes up its famous "pie shakes." But take a closer look: Bubble tea shops outnumber Starbucks 3 to 1, and nearly 1 in 10 students at the University of Iowa hails from China.

Introducing the ISSS International Parent of the Year winners for 2015, Mr. Hameed Nada Hammad and Mrs. Lameeah Bunyan Jabal of Iraq.