In an effort to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19, the University of Iowa transitioned to online teaching for the rest of the Spring 2020 semester. As a result, all UI students shifted to virtual instruction on March 30. We checked in with Hanxi Tang, international student from Beijing, China, about her transition to online courses.

As an aspiring physician, Tang is inspired by what she sees at UI Hospitals & Clinics—particularly during this unprecedented pandemic. “I see healthcare professionals that work hard and long shifts and yet always display a positive attitude. Compared to what other healthcare professionals are doing around the world at this time, what I am doing is really little, but I am happy to make a small contribution to the global effort to prevent the spread of the virus.”

As an architectural designer at Studio Joseph in New York City, Shuo Yang (BSE civil engineering ’14; BA art ’14) mainly works on projects in pavilions, exhibitions, and public spaces, like educational facilities and museums. Yang says the solid interdisciplinary education he received at the University of Iowa (UI) opened the door to and prepared him well for his dream career.

For many international students on campus, the concept of caucusing as part of an election process is new. To help UI international students and scholars understand the Iowa caucus, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) hosted an event called Iowa Caucus on January 24. The event featured visiting professor David Redlawsk, political psychologist, and author of the book Why Iowa?: How Caucuses and Sequential Elections Improve the Presidential Nominating Process.

Following the outbreak of the virus in Wuhan, China, the UI is tracking health officials’ recommendations for maintaining safety.

International Student and Scholar Services received so many excellent nominations for the International Parents of the Year award, it became difficult to choose only one recipient. This year, we are pleased to announce two recipients.

Every year thousands of international students make the fearless decision to advance their education in the United States. With thousands of colleges to choose from, these students qualify for some of the most prestigious programs in the nation. As prospective scholars weed out their options, they soon begin looking for an institution that feels like home. More than 3,100 international students and scholars currently call the University of Iowa home. Beyond their academic programs, the university has proven to be a welcoming, supportive, and integrated space for international applicants. And for a student like Mishma Nixon, current second-year Hawkeye student originally from Sri Lanka, that was all she could ask for.

Building Our Global Community is a free program offered to all University of Iowa faculty and staff members interested in gaining insight on the experiences and expectations of international students and scholars. Going on 15 years, the program has transformed the education system and relationships faculty and staff members create with international students and scholars.

Three international students tell the story of their first taste of Iowa’s creative writing program, facing linguistic barriers and making discoveries all in one of the top programs of the nation.

The University of Iowa offers an international program called Global Buddies to integrate J-1 students into the life of Iowa college.

Learn about Zhiting Feng, undergraduate student from China, pursuing a double major in biochemistry and ethics & public policy.

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