UI college students share world experiences by way of pictures | Iowa Now

A pupil exploring a Buddhist temple in Bangkok. A quiet café overlooking Budapest’s Parliament. A snow-covered University of Iowa campus, seen by way of the eyes of a global graduate pupil. 

These are among the many successful photos chosen for the 2025 UI International Programs International Photo Contest, which goals to encourage better consciousness of the transformative alternatives the UI group can expertise by way of worldwide schooling. 

This November, UI celebrates International Education Month (IEM), highlighting the college’s dedication to getting ready college students for a worldwide setting and attracting future leaders from overseas to the U.S. 

“This year, we strengthen the bond between campus and community as international students, Iowa faculty, and local partners learn and build together,” says UI President Barbara J. Wilson. “We welcome alumni whose work in diplomacy, global health, the arts, and business opens doors around the world. The message is clear. The connection among students, faculty, community members, and alumni is continuous and strong.”  

The UI supplies world schooling alternatives for all college students, whether or not by way of fostering worldwide views by way of examine overseas and world internship alternatives or by attracting college students from world wide.

In fall 2025, 2,029 worldwide college students from 110 international locations and territories are learning or conducting post-graduate analysis at Iowa. In the 2024-25 tutorial yr, greater than $660,000 in scholarships was awarded to college students to review overseas, with 1,096 UI college students learning in 52 completely different international locations, a rise of 11% from the earlier yr. 

This yr’s signature occasion, a student-organized Multicultural Showcase, will happen Nov. 14, introducing UI college students, school, employees, and the better Iowa City group to completely different cultures by way of performances, ethnic dishes, and interactive tabling hosted by pupil organizations and UI faculties and departments. 

“This yr’s occasions are particularly noteworthy as a result of they’ve expanded to the purpose the place they’re a part of what we now name International Education Month,” says Russell Ganim, affiliate provost and dean of International Programs. “I am especially grateful to the IEM steering committee for their efforts to engage even more stakeholders across the university and Iowa City community to celebrate global education on our campus. As the activities broaden, so does our audience.” 

IEM not only includes photo contest winners and events, but also serves as a platform to celebrate the recipients of the annual UI International Impact Award and Global Student Award.  

2025 International Impact Award recipients 

The UI International Impact Award recognizes distinguished alumni and other individuals with significant ties to the university who have made sustained and deep contributions internationally or in the U.S. to promote global understanding. 

Karri Goeldner Byrne (BA communication theory ’92) and Gregs G. Thomopulos (DSC ’10), are the recipients of the 2025 International Impact Award. 

In addition to receiving the International Impact Award, Byrne will present this year’s Commitment to Internationalization Lecture at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Old Capitol Museum Senate Chambers. Her lecture, “Navigating the Unpredictable: The Private Sector as Partners in Humanitarian Response,” is open to the general public and can observe a quick ceremony the place Byrne will obtain her award. 

Karri Goeldner Byrne 

Byrne’s 30-year profession in worldwide growth has centered on serving to companies tackle complicated financial challenges in a number of the world’s most demanding environments. As a senior chief with Mercy Corps and the International Rescue Committee, Byrne helped to design market evaluation instruments that grew to become the gold customary for understanding market methods in humanitarian contexts. She continues to help this mission as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Markets in Crisis Community of Practice. Byrne was nominated by Leslie Yazel, chief group officer for Atlas Obscura and former government editor for particular tasks with the Wall Street Journal. Yazel highlighted Byrne’s world experiences and extraordinary dedication to worldwide growth — from volunteering at a refugee camp in Croatia to serving to locals in Bosnia write plans to obtain grants to create jobs post-war. 

Gregs G. Thomopulos 

Thomopulos is chairman emeritus of Stanley Consultants, Inc., a worldwide consulting engineering group headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, with places of work nationally and internationally. He was its President/CEO for 20 years and chairman of the board for 10 years earlier than his retirement in June 2017. Thomopulos was nominated by UI Center for Advancement Executive Director of Advancement Adam Blind, who highlighted Thomopulos’ 51-year profession working at Stanley Consultants, making contributions to the engineering discipline, together with bringing electrical energy to the Philippines, protected water to Egypt, and post-Gulf War reconstruction to Kuwait and Iraq. 

Global Student Award  

The Global Student Award acknowledges one undergraduate pupil and one graduate pupil who’re deeply engaged leaders in worldwide schooling on campus or overseas. The award was established in 2019 by International Programs and the Division of Student Life. 

The recipients of this yr’s Global Student Award are Leila Assadi, an undergraduate pupil from Bettendorf, Iowa, double-majoring in economics and political science; and Cynthia Okafor, a PhD candidate in pharmaceutics from Agulu, Nigeria. 

Assadi exemplifies what it means to be a globally minded Hawkeye. Her semester learning overseas at Korea University in Seoul sparked a deeper curiosity for tradition and connection, shaping how she approaches studying and management again dwelling at Iowa. As communications coordinator for Global Ties Iowa, co-founder and president of Ethics Bowl, and an lively member of Tippie International Buddies, Assadi works to carry individuals collectively by way of dialogue, collaboration, and cultural change. Guided by a ardour for worldwide understanding, she is paving a path towards a profession in regulation that displays her perception within the energy of connection and collaboration to carry individuals collectively.  

As vp of the UI chapter of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, Okafor has helped lead the group to nationwide recognition — incomes the Chapter of the Year Award for the primary time in Iowa’s historical past. She additionally mentors college students throughout Africa by way of the U.S. Department of State’s Education USA Opportunity Funds Program, guiding them by way of each stage of the worldwide schooling journey, from researching packages and figuring out funding alternatives to getting ready admissions supplies and conducting mock admission interviews. Through initiatives equivalent to founding the Unlocking Academic Excellence Conference in Nigeria and her involvement with the International Student Advisory Board and International Neighbors, Okafor strengthens world connections, cultivates belonging, and evokes others to pursue their tutorial {and professional} goals throughout borders.

Photo Contest Winners 

(See accompanying photograph gallery to view photos.)

Grand Prize Winner 
Gretta Acheson 
Majors: Environmental Policy and Planning, Economics  
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Location: Lago di Braies, Italy 

“This photo was taken at Pragser Wildsee Lake, located in the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. This lake is a part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was the first solo trip I took while I was abroad. The pictures do not do it justice; this was the most beautiful place I’ve ever been in my entire life.” 

Exploring Local Cultures and Traditions 
First place 
Leila Assadi 
Majors: Economics, Political Science 
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa 
Location: Bangkok, Thailand 

“A terrific profit to learning overseas in Seoul was the proximity to different Asian international locations; on the finish of my semester overseas, I travelled to Thailand for 10 days. One of probably the most distinctive experiences I had in Thailand was renting conventional Thai clothes, known as chut thai, and exploring the Wat Arun temple. Wat Arun, translating to ‘Temple of Dawn,’ is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok lavishly decorated with porcelain and seashells. While wearing chut thai does not grant you free admission into temples or palaces, it was a way for me to step outside my comfort zone, creating unforgettable memories against a historical backdrop.”   

Honorable mention
Caroline Shelly 
Major: Finance 
Hometown: Fort Dodge, Iowa 
Location: Sahara Desert 

“This photo was taken at sunset in the Sahara Desert during one of my weekend trips with my amazing roommates from the University of Iowa, whom I met while studying abroad. We went to celebrate my 21st birthday, and it became one of those moments that reminded me why I chose to study abroad, which was to see the world in new ways and live the experiences I’d always dreamed of having. I’m so grateful I took the chance to pursue them. Studying abroad pushed me to say yes and experience things I never thought I’d do but always dreamed of, like riding a camel in the Sahara at sunset. Leaving Iowa to study in a new country was intimidating at first, but it taught me that the best memories come when you step outside what’s familiar. I’m forever grateful I took the leap.” 

A Day in the Life 
First place 
Jack Renn 
Majors: Marketing and Entrepreneurship 
Hometown: Waverly, Iowa 
Location: Budapest, Hungary 

“Framed by stone arches, a quiet café overlooks Budapest’s Parliament — the place historical past, structure, and on a regular basis life meet in a single view.” 

Honorable point out
Ava Stork 
Major: Environmental Policy and Planning 
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa 
Location: Killarney, Ireland 

“This photo was taken at Ladies View, which is a scenic viewpoint along the Ring of Kerry in Killarney National Park, Ireland. This was one of the many destinations I visited during my eight-week study abroad internship and captures the beautiful and vast natural landscape of Ireland. Having the opportunity to explore the Irish countryside and learn more about the country’s rich history was nothing short of incredible. There is a deep sense of cultural pride throughout Ireland, and living, working, and traveling there allowed me to both immerse myself in a new culture and gain valuable new perspectives. I truly learned so much and will forever cherish memories like this one.” 

Showing Off Your Hawkeye Pride 
First place 
Elham Taherian 
Majors: Pharmaceutical Sciences and Therapeutics 
Hometown: Isfahan, Iran 
Location: Iowa City 

“Cold air, warm welcome. This path taught me resilience and why ‘Hawkeye’ feels like home.” 

Honorable point out  
Nazanin Vakili 
Majors: Theatre Arts, Design 
Hometown: Isfahan, Iran 
Location: Iowa City 

Black and gold sundown at Hancher Auditorium.