IU Global – Page 5 – Passport to the World

Global Classroom connects IU students to the world

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Vesna Dimitrieska

Indiana University aspires to engage all our students in international learning and intercultural experiences to prepare them for successful careers in a global workforce. The Global Classroom program is a virtual exchange that promotes internationalization at home and enables instructors to add an international component to their existing courses by collaborating with a faculty partner abroad. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) virtual exchange programs are not new but have certainly gained momentum during the past few years.

Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at IU Bloomington on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

Iman Alramadan, a senior lecturer at the Indiana University Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, . (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University) — Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at IU Bloomington on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. (Photo by James Brosher/Indiana University)

The increasing visibility of multinational organizations, diseases, and ideas has further emphasized calls for developing intercultural competence in all of our graduates. About ten years ago, the European Commission proposed that internationalization should ensure that the large majority of learners who are not able to travel or study abroad for various reasons are still able to acquire the international skills required in a globalized world. The U.S. Departments of State and Education include internationalization efforts as some of the key principles in their renewed international strategy. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has emphasized the urgency and need to act for collective well-being and sustainable development.

READ ON FOR THE FULL STORY

IU strengthens partnerships in Ghana

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Andrew Joseph Tanner

IU Global coordinated a visit to Ghana last spring to foster new partnerships and explore avenues for collaboration in Africa – a key priority of IU’s global engagement strategy. The delegation, led by Interim Vice President for International Affairs and Associate Vice Chancellor for International Affairs Hilary Kahn, built on decades-long engagement between IU and academic institutions and organizations in Ghana.

The strength of existing connections with Ghana became apparent as IU Global met with IU faculty and staff to determine the landscape of relationships with academic institutions, alumni, and organizations in Ghana on which the IU delegation could advance engagement and mutually beneficial collaborations. The trip then encompassed a comprehensive exploration of current, past, and potential new relationships across various disciplines, with a strategic focus on addressing societal, technological, and environmental challenges and collectively advancing shared institutional priorities.

IU’s history and interest in Africa is reflected in its many education abroad programs based in Africa, with nearly 100 IU students studying in sub-Saharan Africa in Summer 2023, and all but three participating in an IU-led program. Three programs were traveling to Ghana at the same time as the IU Global team including an IU Bloomington Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program, IUPUI Liberal Arts, DEI, and Undergraduate Education , and Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. In addition to meeting with Ghanaian institutions and faculty, the IU Global delegation was able to meet with students currently abroad, witnessing the impact of the programs’ experiential learning outcomes and their exemplary models for fostering global understanding in IU students.

Hilary Kahn speaking to a group at KNUST's Political Science department. — Hilary Kahn speaking to a group at KNUST’s Political Science department.

Large group picture with Hilary Kahn at KNUST. — Hilary Kahn speaking to a group at KNUST’s Political Science department.

READ ON FOR THE FULL STORY

New AVP for international affairs

Posted on September 7, 2023 by Brittaney Hartzer

Miguel E. Ayllon Ph.D., a leader in designing and managing international engagement programs at large, multi-campus research-intensive public institutions, joined Indiana University as the new associate vice president for international affairs on September 1. Ayllon succeeds Shawn Reynolds, who will retire after 26 years at Indiana University working in various capacities in OVPIA, and has been responsible for international partnerships since 2008.

In this new role, Ayllon will shape the development of strategy and innovation across all areas of international affairs at IU Global with primary responsibility for the International Partnerships Office, Global Gateway Network, and strengthening engagement with the IU Alumni Association’s international chapters.

I am thrilled to take on this new role at Indiana University, a leading institution with a clear vision and commitment to providing transformative global engagement experiences to students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Miguel E. Ayllon Ph.D

A native of Lima, Peru, Ayllon came to the United States in 1999 as an international student. While learning English as a second language, he successfully completed high school and navigated the U.S. higher education system as an international student. Ayllon said he hopes his background as a native Latin American puts him in a unique position to contribute to the expansion of IU’s partnerships and programs in the region.

He comes from the University of Missouri – Columbia where he has worked for more than 15 years and most recently served as Executive Director for International Partnerships and Study Abroad. In this role, he led the central study abroad office, managed relationships with international partner universities, and advised the vice provost for international programs on relationship priorities. During his tenure in Missouri, the College of Engineering set a record for study abroad enrollment and forged its first academic collaborations with Latin America.

READ ON FOR THE FULL STORY

Playing the Game Together: Lessons in Global Collaboration from a Student’s Brief Study Abroad

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Gie Wilson

My name is Gie Wilson, and I work in the Office of the Vice President for International affairs as IU Global’s Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador. I promote the local and global impacts of sustainable development within Indiana University and across our partners on campus and around the work through a variety of tasks, including this blog. Despite my limited personal international experience, through my coursework in Environmental and Sustainability Studies as well as my work with IU Global, I am no stranger to the concept of global partnerships. However, rather than exchanges or multinational corporations, the first thing that now comes to my mind when I think of global partnerships is a Danish handball team.

To understand this, we have to go back to Amager Sports Club in Copenhagen, in June of 2023. A group of students from Indiana University, myself included, none of whom are professional athletes, stood in a nervous clump around a local Danish volunteer handball coach. After running a brutal mile, doing sprints, and plyometrics we filtered onto the handball court, red-faced and sweaty. We were each paired with one of the female athletes who played on the local team. Despite lots of wild throws- I even drilled the goalie in the face with a ball at one point- they were all so patient and kind. They taught us the rules and showed us tricks, and we compared and contrasted them with sports associations in the United States. In the final scrimmage, there were multiple plays set up by Danish players and finished by IU students, exemplifying the spirit of successful partnership.

A group of students and handball players pose on a green handball court in front of a net and a brick wall with sports banners behind them — *The handball players and O’Neill students after their successful collaboration (aka, a game of handball)*

I didn’t expect to see the power of international engagement on a handball court when I applied for the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs program, V482 O’Neill in Denmark: Nonprofit Sector in Comparative Perspective. I spent three weeks in Copenhagen with twelve other students, two instructors, and one O’Neill Staff member, fundamentally changing my concept of global citizenship and participation.

“Classes will focus on a comparative perspective, introducing students to alternative shapes of nonprofit organizations and civil society. Class sessions will include lectures from both O’Neill faculty, Professor Kirsten Grønberg and Professor Allison Schnable, and Danish nonprofit and political leaders, as well as visits to political, historical, and nonprofit sites around the city.”

A group of students and professors smile in the sunshine on the roof of the Danish opera house. Solar panels surround them with a flat, densely packed row of buildings in the background — The O’Neill students on the roof of the Danish Royal Opera, which has solar panels

A group of students smiling at the camera in a hallway of the Royal Palace. They wear blue shoe coverings to protect the floor — The O’Neill students on the roof of the Danish Royal Opera, which has solar panels

Read on for the full story

Reflecting on two years of change, Global Gateways open doors, connections for IU

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Lexi Baker

Driven by a steadfast commitment to global engagement, IU’s Global Gateways focused on uniting around shared experiences and focused on sustaining connections and partnerships amidst unprecedented uncertainties posed by the global pandemic. The gateways strategically evolved and became experts in virtual events and collaborations, forging connections across digital landscapes. With unwavering determination, the gateways demonstrated the power of resilience, sustaining their mission of global outreach and cementing their place as beacons of internationalization in a rapidly changing world.
Serving as IU’s entry point to the world, these strategically positioned hubs in Mexico, Germany, India, Thailand , and China have emerged as thriving epicenters for dynamic collaboration, groundbreaking research, and a rich tapestry of cultural exchange. By creating meaningful connections with universities, institutes, NGOs, government entities, and businesses in their respective regions, the gateways have become conduits of discovery, propelling IU’s research, fostering transformative partnerships, and opening the doors to extraordinary opportunities for collaboration across borders .

*Visitors and IU staff at the IU India Gateway in New Delhi*

REad on to see how

Overseas Study is now Education Abroad

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Jennifer Engel

August is always an exciting time for our office as we prepare to welcome students back to campus and open the application cycle for spring semester international experiences. But this year is particularly invigorating as we begin this month with a new name: the Office of Overseas Study is now IU Education Abroad!

For over 200 years, Indiana University has connected tens of thousands of students with transformative global experiences, with the Office of Overseas Study being officially established in 1972. However, the office and committees overseeing global activity have long served more than the specific interests of students studying abroad. Over the years, global opportunities have expanded to include numerous intern, research, service, teach, and volunteer opportunities abroad, as well as medical residencies – all of which provide critical insights and experiences for emerging professionals navigating an interconnected world.

The new name, Education Abroad, reflects this wide variety of high impact practices students can engage in abroad and signals our dedication to fostering career competency development and transformational intercultural experiences for Indiana’s future leaders.

“Our objective is to ensure that every Hoosier has the chance to study, work, live, learn, teach, volunteer, and grow across the globe,” said Interim Vice President for International Affairs Hilary Kahn. “This new name reflects our commitment to supporting the broad range of international opportunities available to students, opportunities which will propel them toward achieving their personal and professional goals.”

Traditionally, one in three graduating seniors have engaged in an international experience as part of their time at Indiana University. Over the decades, thousands of Indiana high school students have advanced their language and culture learning as part of the IU Honors Program in Foreign Languages. We now move forward with a name that reflects the diversity of international experiences we support and our holistic commitment to a globally engaged, future-ready IU community.

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.

Dr. Keshia Abraha presents the keynote at ICCI

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.

Read the full story

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 — Students discuss their research during the poster session at the 2018 Sustainability Summit held at the IUPUI Campus Center

Students discuss their research during the poster session at the 2018 Sustainability Summit held at the IUPUI Campus Center

“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.