Iowa International Fellows Program (IIFP) is a leadership training program. Each year, the program involves selected international and U.S. students from Iowa's colleges and universities. Participating students meet four weekends during the academic year for workshops on varying themes. The Iowa International Fellows Program is a joint effort of ICIU and The Stanley Foundation. Below is more information about the program including last year's program, schedule and promotional flyer.

Information on the 2008-2009 IIFP will be posted soon.

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Iowa International Fellows Program Adjourns in Cedar Falls: Students learn about Environmental Issues Affecting Iowa and the World

The concluding session of the Iowa International Fellows Program took place on February 22-23, 2008 in Cedar Falls, IA. On Friday evening, students learnt about various environmental issues affecting Iowa and the world. Three guest speakers, namely, Dr. Mohammed Iqbal, Professor of Geology at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), Dr. Laura Jackson, Professor of Biology at the UNI and Dr. Daryl Smith, Director of the Tallgrass Prairie Center made presentations and addressed questions posed by the students. Dr. Iqbal talked about the impact of agricultural activities on water quality in Iowa as well as in other countries such as Mexico. Dr. Laura Jackson presented on the effects of climate change in Iowa especially to the agricultural industry. Dr. Daryl Smith shared with the students the importance of the tallgrass prairie to the state of Iowa and the reasons why it should preserved.

On Saturday morning, students got an opportunity to watch the film, “An Inconvenient Truth” that followed with an intense debate on the role of the government vs. the role of the citizens in addressing the issues of global warming and other challenges. In the afternoon, students participated in a simulation called, Not In My Backyard”. In the simulation, students took the role of various entities that are often involved in the city’s decision-making process, such as the Neighborhood Association, City Council, Environmental Advocacy group etc. Through the simulation, students learnt about the importance of having factual information and evidence in arguing a case point and how lack of such information can work against the citizens and their well-being.

Participation in this Fellows’ program gave students a better a better understanding on the role they must play to address the humanitarian challenges.

The Iowa International Fellows Program is sponsored by The Stanley Foundation and administered by ICIU. Students meet four times during an academic year with each session addressing a different theme. The program aims to increase understanding among students on local and global issues of importance and at the same time promote cultural understanding.

Click on the thumbnails to view more pictures from the NCIV Conference.

 

Fellows Learn About Globalization, International Trade and Small Business Start-Ups

The second session of the Iowa International Fellows Program took place on November 16-17 in Marshalltown. On Friday, students attended a business and globalization seminar with Vladimir P Sambaiew, President and Director of Programs at the Stanley Foundation, and Katherine Cota-Uyar, Program Manager and Instructor of Entrepreneurship at the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center of the University of Northern Iowa. Mr.Sambaiew engaged students in a discussion on the effect of globalization across the world. Ms. Cota-Uyar then gave them an introduction and some tips on how to start a business in the United States.

 

On Saturday morning, students participated in an international trade simulation, moderated by Paritosh Kasotia. Divided into six countries with varying degrees of “wealth”, they were challenged to use their resources to “manufacture” abstract products and sell them at the international commodity market thus increasing the income for their countries. In only two hours, the fun and exciting simulation gave students a glimpse into the reality and complexities of international trade. Students not only experienced the challenges of a globalized world but also understood the role of strategic planning in international trade. After lunch, ICIU’s own Executive Director, Valerie Grimsley, gave the students a presentation on how to market themselves in the US job market.  Finally, before heading back to their schools, the students were given an opportunity to put the information they learned over the weekend to use by developing a plan for a small business or non-profit organization and presenting to the whole group. Students came up with a business/NGO/Non-profit plan and also addressed how they will market and sell their product/services.

The Iowa International Fellows Program is a joint effort of ICIU and The Stanley Foundation, and we would like to thank all participants for their contributions to a successful weekend!

 

Students Convene For The Iowa International Fellows Program: Fellows Learn About Multiculturalism and Ethnic Diversity

The first session of the 2007-2008 Iowa International Fellows Program took place on October 26-27.  Students from various Iowa colleges and universities, representing 30 countries, gathered to increase their understanding on ethnic diversity and multiculturalism in Iowa. On Friday, students had a panel discussion with various community leaders.  Jonathon Narcisse of the Des Moines School Board, Enrique Cruz Garcia of The Des Moines Diocese Hispanic Community Outreach, Penny Furgerson of the Gateway Dance Theatre, and the Iowa Council for International Understanding’s Valerie Grimsley engaged students on their experiences with diversity in Iowa. Topics regarding the status of African-Americans and the immigrant community in Iowa were also addressed. On Saturday, students got an opportunity to visit several nursing homes and retirement communities around Des Moines to interact and share cultural conversations with the residents. The visit to these places was a unique experience for many students who were not familiar with the concept of retirement communities. The community service had a profound effect on many students as some of them plan to revisit the elderly they conversed with in the near future.Students also participated in a number of simulations and group activities to increase their understanding of different cultures as well as recognize their own cultural and social identities. The Iowa International Fellows Program is a joint effort of ICIU and The Stanley Foundation, and we would like to thank all participants for their contributions to a successful weekend!

For more information on this program, please contact Christina Sibouih at 515-282-8269 x 15

or my email at christina.sibouih@iciu.org

2007-2008 Schedule

• October 26-27, 2007 ~ Multiculturalism and Ethnic Diversity~ Des Moines, IA
•  November 16-17, 2007 ~Business and Globalization~ Marshalltown, IA
•  January 13-14, 2008 ~ US Government and Politics~ Des Moines, IA
•  February 22-23, 2008 ~Environment ~ Cedar Falls, IA

Please note that Fellows participants are expected to attend all four sessions without substitutions. The $80 registration fee may be paid by the student or a sponsoring college or university, and must be paid by October 12th. Transportation to and from the session sites is the responsibility of the students, but their accomodations and meals are paid for by the program sponsors.

Download the informational flier.

Download the 2007-2008 program brochure.

 

Contact Christina Sibouih with your questions, 515-282-8269, x 15 or christina.sibouih@iciu.org