IU Global – Page 2 – Passport to the World

Connecting cultures, empowering minds: the Fulbright U.S. Student Program at IU

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Lexi Baker

Receiving a Fulbright U.S. Student Award is no ordinary accomplishment. The highly competitive federal program can shape careers and lives for decades after the year-long research, teaching, or study appointments are complete. Being accepted into the program can be overwhelming – just ask PhD student Samantha Horton, 2023 recipient, who couldn’t contain her emotions when she received the long-awaited final confirmation email. “I knew when the decision was coming, but when I got the email – I cried with happiness.”

A black sign in front of a building that reads DEPARTMENT OF STATE — *The U.S. Department of State building, Washington, D.C.*

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is a cultural exchange program intended to enhance intercultural relations, foster cultural diplomacy, and nurture intercultural competence between the United States and other nations. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), partnerships with over 140 countries worldwide connect U.S. citizens with their global counterparts. The program allows accomplished students from the United States to secure highly sought-after scholarships and grants to continue their studies abroad – whether through independent research, graduate studies, or teaching opportunities, a Fulbright U.S. student award marks the start of a transformative journey that combines academic and professional growth with cross-cultural immersion.

But securing a Fulbright grant is no easy feat. Applicants work with the Office of National Scholarships & Awards to craft a compelling Statement of Grant Purpose and Personal Statement detailing their suitability for a given program; they must also demonstrate language proficiency relevant to their host country. Each application undergoes a three-round review process, including a technical review, evaluation by the National Screening Committee, and approval from the host country and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Recognizing the significance of this endeavor, IU strives to support and facilitate student success in pursuing Fulbright opportunities through workshops, specialized training sessions, and structured guides transforming the daunting application process into a step-by-step pursuit. For those who benefit from a digital roadmap, IU offers a dedicated Canvas page for Fulbright applicants, breaking down the entire application process into manageable steps; the site offers valuable background information on each component of the application and guides students through the creation of a competitive final submission. If real-time guidance is more their style, applicants can attend one of the many workshops where Paul Fogleman – director of IU’s Office of National Scholarships and Awards – explains the process, offers advice, and provides feedback on students’ writing and application materials.

*Capper Howard in Bern, Switzerland, during a pre-Fulbright trip arranging auditions and lessons ahead of his program.*

It’s in moments like this that students feel the support of the IU community propelling them forward. Capper Howard, a 2023 Fulbright awardee, highlights the impact of staff like Fogleman throughout the application process, stating, “When you’re working towards something as rigorous as a Fulbright, it’s so important to have someone on your side who will be straightforward, kind, and constructive with you the whole way. It meant a lot.”

Former IU Associate Vice President Kathleen Sideli Recognized for Leadership in International Education

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Susan Carty

After a distinguished career spanning 40 years and countless contributions to the field of international education, Kathleen Sideli, Ph.D., who served as IU’s Associate Vice President for Overseas Study until her retirement in June 2022, received a Life Membership Award at the NAFSA 2023 Annual Conference.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the largest and most comprehensive association of professionals committed to advancing international higher education. The association believes that international education, exchange, and global workforce development advances learning and scholarship, fosters understanding and respect among people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, is essential for developing globally competent individuals, and builds leadership for the global community. Ultimately, it is a group of over 10,000 individuals from across all 50 states and over 150 countries who are dedicated to enlightened international relations, globally engaged citizenry, and a more peaceful and just world.

“NAFSA’s strength derives from our members like Kathleen Sideli, who, over the course of a career, has provided the association with formal and informal leadership, encouraged collaborative dialogues, and promoted knowledge creation to strengthen and serve the field,” said Fanta Aw, Ph.D., executive director and CEO of NAFSA. “Our community has relied on leaders like our Life Members for inspiration as we educate, advocate and innovate in international education. The dedication, effort, and advocacy of these committed members has been essential to the association’s success for over 75 years.”

Rear: Masume Assaf, Sherif Barsoum, Linda Drake Gobbo, David Ware, Cynthia Greene, Abby Conder Lussier, Ashlee Toomey-Flinn, Kathleen Sideli
Front: Kevin Sullivan — *Sideli, far right, with 2023 National Awards recipients. Photo: NAFSA 2023*

Enhancing Global Education with the Institute for Curriculum and Campus Internationalization

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Lexi Baker

IU’s Institute for Curriculum and Campus Internationalization (ICCI) serves as a catalyst for advancing global education, hosted annually on the Bloomington campus and organized by the Center for the Study of Global Change. This is one of the many resources the center provides to educators and students worldwide as a Title VI center on campus. It is a hub for internationalization that fosters innovative partnerships and interdisciplinary initiatives, guided by its core values of global engagement, understanding, and responsibility. All of the center’s initiatives, and particularly ICCI, provide a unique platform for universities to internationalize their campuses, courses, and curriculum. Through systematic efforts, the center infuses global perspectives into learning at all levels, preparing students for the challenges of an interconnected world.

This four-day event brings together a diverse community of educators, administrators, and global-minded individuals who are passionate about advancing international education. Over the past ten years, the Institute for Curriculum and Campus Internationalization has welcomed nearly 500 faculty, staff, and administrators from across Indiana, the United States, and the world. The program has attracted participants from various IU campuses, as well as institutions like Ivy Tech, Ball State University, University of Indianapolis, and more. This year, the program hosted 40 individuals, including five participants from IU’s international partner institutions such as the University of Hamburg and the American University of Central Asia. The institute’s credibility is reinforced by the support it receives from IU Global, all six national Title VI resource centers at IU, Kelley’s CIBER, the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and external partners the American Council on Education and American Association of Colleges and Universities.

The purpose of this event is to unlock opportunities for internationalization on campuses, within courses, and across curricula. Why is this so crucial? Internationalization equips students with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in an interconnected world. It fosters intercultural competence, broadens perspectives, and deepens understanding of global issues. The institute empowers participants to explore comprehensive internationalization, collaborative dialogue, innovative pedagogies, and effective assessment of global learning objectives. Strategic planning and measuring institutional success are also key components, encouraging the open exchange of best practices and fostering a vibrant global education community.

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IUPUI ranks globally for work on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Andrew Joseph Tanner

A colorful braid on a white background with the text Times Higher Education Impact Ranking all iu 2023

IUPUI placed eighth in the U.S. and in the top ten percent world-wide for delivering on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) according to the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. These are the only global performance metrics that assess universities against the goals framework. Notably, IUPUI continues maintaining its rank domestically and globally for the third year in a row, despite an additional 330+ universities submitting for the first time this year.

The Sustainable Development Goals framework is a collection of 17 goals, which are global calls to action leading to a better world for all. They serve as a cornerstone of the IUPUI Office of International Affairs’ comprehensive internationalization efforts, facilitating partnerships across all schools, departments, and units within IUPUI and beyond. In collaboration with IUPUI Sustainability, the office has been working to approach the goals by bringing all stakeholders within the university on board to tackle the 17 goals. This holistic approach addresses the local and global aspects at the heart of the United Nations 2030 Agenda’s five pillars: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership.

This year’s report marks the beginning of a more comprehensive university-wide approach in how IU showcases its engagement with the goals, with all IU campuses reporting to the Impact Rankings for the first time. IU Bloomington ranked 22 in the U.S. and in the top twenty-five percent world-wide, a strong showing for their first evaluation. Submissions for the Impact Rankings include a mandatory report on SDG 17: partnerships for the goals. Universities’ national and global scores are based on their ranking in that goal, as well as their top three highest ranked goals.

*IUPUI Study Abroad and IU Sustainability staff at a 2022 event highlighting IUPUI’s work in the SDGs*

Goal 17 was IUPUI’s highest rated, showing our strategic partnerships are making global connections that are actionable. IUPUI’s next highest rankings were for goals 3: good health and well-being, 5: gender equality, and 10: reduced inequalities. These are among the most reported on goals within the rankings, meaning that even against the stiffest competition, IUPUI continues to lead the way.

The progress being made also highlights the numerous areas where IUPUI is making an impact locally with partnerships like the McKinney School of Law’s Civil Practice Clinic and Re-entry Assistance and Community Help Clinic—as well as nationally and globally, with initiatives like the IU Center for Global Health Equity and AMPATH and the Lugar Center for Renewable Energy.

“I’m thrilled that our campus continues to excel in the areas that are recognized by the Times Higher Education Impact ranking, and am grateful to the many faculty, staff and students who work tirelessly to better our community and world through their research, teaching and service activities,” shared Kathy E. Johnson, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer. “I’m also tremendously grateful to colleagues in the Office of Sustainability and the Office of International Affairs for gathering data and cataloguing these areas of activity that helped to garner this recognition.”

Two people standing with their backs to the camera in front of a large research poster

A person writing on a campus map spread out on a table

“The Impact Rankings are a strong validation that the values espoused by the Sustainable Development Goals are central to IUPUI’s identity. It is no surprise IUPUI excels in SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals, as collaboration is key to IUPUI’s sustainability successes,” said IU’s Interim University Director of Sustainability and Director of IUPUI Sustainability, Jessica Davis. “We could not earn this recognition without the countless efforts of students, faculty, and staff to infuse sustainability into their daily work. We should all be proud of what we have accomplished together.”

Explore more about how IUPUI is addressing the SDGs, read about the Times Higher Education’s ranking methodology, and view the complete Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Growing up with the SDGs: a mentor shares her experience

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Gie Wilson

This post was written by Gie Wilson, a junior at IU Bloomington and current Global SDG Ambassador for IU Global.

On a Tuesday night in March, Dr. Elisheva (Elly) Cohen led a call-out meeting for IU students interested in mentoring elementary school students in Indiana. The fifth graders were participating in a class project centered on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a framework created by the United Nations to guide development across the world. Through 17 comprehensive goals that address the world’s most pressing issues the UN created an ambitious action plan for our planet designed to be completed by 2030.

*The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals*

I am one of the students who attended the callout and volunteered to be a mentor. I’m a junior at IU Bloomington studying environmental and sustainability studies with a concentration in environmental ethics and justice. I am primarily focused on how global and local development, especially sustainable development, affects not only humans, but their surrounding environment, in the present and future. I did not choose to be a mentor because I want to be an educator, but my passion for the SDGs compels me to do as much as I can to champion efforts that further the fight to make a difference in our world. That also explains why I became the Global SDG Ambassador for IU’s Office of the Vice President for International Affairs. Also, I was interested in how teachers integrate the SDGs into classrooms and hoped to gain more understanding about how similar techniques can be used to reach college students.

One of the things I am always driven to emphasize the most in my work is the interdisciplinary and intersectional nature of the SDGs. Many people hear the word, “sustainability” and associate it with recycling or paper straws, or other forms of environmentally focused sustainability. While the concept does promote those ideas, I have found that sustainability as a term and the SDGs as a framework encompass much more. From theatre, to journalism, to business, to music there is always a connection. Sustainable development is for all, not just some. If you are a human on planet earth, you have the credibility and the stakes to get involved.

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President Whitten travels to Japan, Korea affirming strategic partnerships, student success

Posted on May 25, 2023 by Brittaney Hartzer

While summer may be a quieter time on Indiana University’s campuses, President Pamela Whitten was able to see first-hand the excitement of international engagement and education abroad as part of a week-long trip to Japan and South Korea. The visit was Whitten’s first experience in Asia as IU’s 19^th President and included a wide-ranging itinerary that celebrated the diversity of IU’s expertise and experience in the region.

Japan

The visit began in Japan, where President Whitten and Vice President for International Affairs Hannah Buxbaum met with Waseda University President Aiji Tanaka. Waseda is a global university, ranking first in Japan for the number of international students and students studying abroad, and is regarded as one of the most selective and prestigious universities in the country. The discussion centered on the active faculty and student exchanges between the universities and opportunities for further expansion of the partnership, including on the IU Indianapolis campus.

Next, the team met with President Umemoto Kazuyoshi at the Japan Foundation, a fifty-year old institution dedicated to comprehensive and effective development of the country’s international cultural exchange programs. The Japan Foundation has played a critical role in supporting IU’s 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative in the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. The meeting was an opportunity for President Whitten to thank the foundation for its generous support and discuss future priorities and opportunities for collaboration.

The visit ended with an alumni dinner hosted by the president of IU’s alumni chapter in Japan, Toru Hanakawa, class of 1969. It included McKinney School of Law alum Paul Roland, director of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s international office in Japan, highlighting the close connections and ongoing impact that IU has in the state, nation, and beyond.

Shaping a sustainable future: Winners of the 2023 UN SDG research competition

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Lexi Baker

For the past four years, students from around the world have come together to share their research in a global forum. The subject matter, collaborators, and methods change each semester, but one thing unites them all: the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Each year, Indiana University and a group of its primary partner institutions select a single goal to focus on, delving into its intricacies and potential solutions.

This year’s chosen goal was Sustainable Development Goal 16, which aims to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions. By placing a focus on reducing violence, ensuring access to justice, promoting effective and accountable governance, and fostering inclusive decision-making, SDG 16 seeks to create a foundation for sustainable development and a more equitable world for all.

In response to this call, the competition received an impressive total of 13 project submissions, showcasing the students’ innovative ideas and dedication. The projects encompassed four distinct presentation types: podcasts, research posters, policy briefs, and videos. Reflecting the diverse academic interests and perspectives of participants, these projects covered subject areas ranging from international relations, education, art and design, sociology, economics, public health, environmental science, to criminal justice. Through this vibrant amalgamation of ideas and contributions, the competition offered a holistic understanding of what it truly means to embrace sustainability in its many dimensions.

Undergraduate winner Nora West collaborated with her faculty mentor to explore gender disparities within the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) conditional lending program. Her motivation to enter the competition stemmed from her belief in the power of the SDGs.

“I wanted to participate in a project to work toward global solutions and have my work featured alongside others who have similar goals,” she says. “The SDGs are deeply intersectional, and it’s places like the research forum where I can demonstrate how we can address gender disparities through not just one, but several of the development goals.”

The topic stemmed from her interest in international development and concerns about the ethical and implementation challenges faced by such projects – recognizing the significant role of the IMF as a financial provider to states in need, Nora set out to investigate the effectiveness of their programs across different groups.

“Unfortunately, marginalized groups are disadvantaged in many other arenas, so I started there and found lots of data of the disproportionate effects the policies have on women and girls,” explains Nora. “In the future, I hope this type of research drives a social change to IMF policies that will better consider the gendered effects of their financial moves.”

Being selected as a winner of the competition was a proud moment for Nora: “It validated the effort and dedication I had invested in conducting the research and communicating its significance. It was a reassuring moment for me to realize that not only do I think these gender disparities issues in the IMF are highly problematic, but other people must feel strongly about this too.”

Despite the troubling findings, Nora remains optimistic about the future of international organizations, recognizing the need for improvement but believing in their positive role. This research reinforced her desire to work for a global organization, where she could address internal issues and strive for a better future.

Read about all the winners

IU Global’s International Advancement Initiative nationally recognized

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Brittaney Hartzer

Indiana University has been awarded the 2023 IIE Heiskell Award for Models of International Education Financial Support in recognition of its International Advancement Initiative. This award from the Institute of International Education (IIE) recognizes the most innovative and successful models for developing and expanding international education in practice today. Indiana University joins three other awardees this year in the categories of widening access for international education, student mobility and exchange, and strategic partnerships.

Since 2015, the IU Global International Advancement Initiative has been an intentional and strategic partnership among the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs, the IU Foundation, and the IU Alumni Association. The collaboration boasts a successful $20 million endowment campaign for study abroad scholarships that sends an additional 400 students abroad each year. It also includes the creation of a first of its kind annual fund that has provided over $5 million in financial assistance to international students in need.

“IU has a long, rich history of global engagement, with pioneers in the field of international education like Herman B Wells and Patrick O’Meara. Alumni involvement and philanthropy play a strong supporting role in achieving our global mission,” Maarten Bout, director of international advancement and development, shared. “Bringing our advancement colleagues together in a concerted effort has had an exponential effect on our impact. We have created an increasing number of meaningful ways for our international community to remain connected which drives the success of our efforts.”

Through this initiative, IU ensures that global academic mobility is a priority within the university’s comprehensive advancement plan, while at the same time building capacity and establishing effective practices for international fundraising. It prioritizes meaningful engagement with IU’s community of over 70,000 international alumni, with 45 chapters across the world, as well as over 50,000 alumni who studied abroad.

“The International Advancement Initiative reflects the strong partnership among the groups at IU that seek to develop global philanthropy in support of our students,” said Hannah Buxbaum, IU vice president for international affairs. “It allows us to advance our mission in innovative and effective ways, including by connecting globally engaged alumni with current students at our five Global Gateway offices around the world.”

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Innovation in Action: How IU Supports Higher Education in sub-Saharan Africa

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Sarah Schmitt

In April, more than eighty-five university leaders and researchers gathered in Kampala, Uganda to support higher education institutions across sub-Saharan Africa. The “University Research Engagement Capacity Strengthening Workshop” brought together key stakeholders from eleven countries including Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Somalia, and South Sudan.

IU’s Office of International Development sent Dr. Teshome Alemneh and Dr. Theresa Kang to oversee and facilitate this event. “Being able to coordinate capacity building workshops in Africa is a rewarding experience,” Kang said. “We are able to connect the world-class research and administration of Indiana University with emerging leaders throughout the continent. Workshops like this enhance both the abilities of partner universities and affirm IU’s place as an international innovator.”

This two-day event was organized through the Long-term Assistance and Services for Research: Partners for University-Led Solutions Engine (LASER PULSE) and marked an important milestone in this grant-supported initiative. The LASER PULSE program is funded by United States Agency for International Development’s Innovation’s Technology and Research (ITR) Hub and led by Purdue University in collaboration with Indiana University, University of Notre Dame, Makerere University, and Catholic Relief Services. Indiana University’s Office of International Development (OID) is responsible for funding over $4 million dollars in grants for LASER PULSE to connect IU expertise with local, evidence-based solutions to development challenges spanning all USAID technical sectors.

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Global Classrooms initiative brings the multinational music industry to Indiana

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Lexi Baker

Music is a universal language. Despite differences in styles, cultures, rhythms, etiquette and ideals, the powerful connections music fosters bring people together the world over…and what better example of that transcendence than the melting pot of jazz in the classical music mecca of Vienna! Once home to Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn, Vienna’s musical scene has long since opened up to the soulful melodies of jazz, allowing musicians from all over the world to come together and create a unique blend of genres, rhythms, and cultures.

*A treble clef in the grass of a Vienna park*

In today’s interconnected world, international collaboration has become more important than ever, and not just for genre-bending musicians. Cross-cultural education is just one challenge in the crucial journey to prepare students for navigating a diverse world with confidence and respect. It’s a challenge that IU has embraced wholeheartedly. One initiative to ensure every IU graduate is prepared to compete in the international labor market is the Global Classroom Fellowship, which gives instructors the opportunity to add an international dimension to their course by partnering with a partner university abroad. With the support of IU Global leaders, a cohort of their peers, and funding, faculty collaborate with an international colleague to create meaningful collaborative projects with students from around the globe—without leaving their IU campus.

Enter Monika Herzig, accomplished jazz pianist, composer and senior lecturer at IU. Herzig’s passion for music and experience in the industry led her to apply to be a Global Classroom Fellow with the proposal for Music Industry II, a course that gives students a breadth of career options across the musical landscape.

“I had done four overseas courses before,” Herzig explains, thinking back to how she originally envisioned the Global Classrooms class. “I taught one [IU] course – Comparative Music Industry – that I took 3 times to Austria as an overseas experience, where students were immersed in Austrian culture to explore the differences between the industry there and in America. Then, just before the pandemic, in 2019, we went to Berlin and Weimar with the class. I always see how eye-opening it is for the students to do these overseas adventures, and with the last class and grad in 2018 we actually visited the JAM lab.” The challenge for Global Classrooms? How to bring these eye-opening experiences to students who don’t travel to Vienna.