The Global Programs office in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences supports departments in their global engagement initiatives across the globe. Our office provides support and assistance to faculty and staff interested in building relationships and collaborative efforts worldwide. We also provide global opportunities for students through CALS Study Abroad programs.
Okta International IP Blocks
Since October 17, Okta continues blocking access to their services in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the regions of Crimea, Luhansk, or Donetsk without prior approval from the U.S. Government.
These sanctions will impact students, faculty, and staff at Iowa State University who travel to these areas, preventing access to any service behind Okta. ISU will continue to monitor Office of Foreign Sanctions (OFAC) communications and Okta updates pursuant to Iowa State Export Controls policy and communicate any changes that arise.
Details of this change can be found at https://support.okta.com/help/s/article/Important-Customer-Update-to-Okta-IP-Access-Policy?language=en_US
If you plan to travel to these affected areas, please plan accordingly. Please direct any questions to Kevin Schwien at kschwien@iastate.edu.
China Health Alert: Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement for Air Passengers Entering the United States
Effective January 5 at 12:01 Eastern Time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require a negative COVID-19 test result, taken within two days of departure, or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days, for all travelers, age two years and older, to the United States on flights originating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including the Special Administrative Regions (SAR) of Hong Kong and Macau.
Notice of Funding Opportunity: Cochran Fellowship Program
The Cochran Fellowship Program’s Latin America and Caribbean Region are requesting the design and delivery of a training program for a cohort of up to seven Fellows from Costa Rica and seven Fellows from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras for a total of 14 Fellows. The program should provide participants with a thorough understanding of the different varieties and uses of U.S. dry beans. In particular, USDA notes an opportunity to introduce dry bean products as ingredients in processed foods.
Deadline: January 18, 2023
CALS Study Abroad 2022 Recap
In 2022, 182 students participated in 13 study abroad programs and spend a semester abroad at 5 different exchange locations. The CALS Study Abroad office awarded $183,994 in scholarships to 200 CALS students. Scholarship and other funding opportunities for CALS students can be found on the CALS Study Abroad website.
(photo credit: Iowa State University Department of Agricultural Education and Studies Facebook)
Graduate Student Funding
During the 2021/2022 academic year, Namah Ch Taku Epse Forchu, Ph.D. in Agriculture Education and Studies department received Global Funding for Graduate Students to present her graduate research at the Association of International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE) Conference which was held in Thessaloniki Greece during the spring 2022 term. During the AIAEE Conference, she presented two abstracts: “The rate of adoption and factors influencing Farmer’s adoption of hermetic storage technology in Dormaa, Ghana” and “Maize farmers’ preference and trustworthiness in the sources and channels to receive agricultural information in Dormaa, Ghana: A gender perspective”.
The Global Programs office helps facilitate scholarship and other funding opportunities for graduate students through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. More information on graduate student funding can be found at https://www.global.ag.iastate.edu/funding. If you have questions or would like additional information on a specific scholarship please contact Shelley Taylor at sztaylor@iastate.edu.
Maktoum Al Seiari Scholarship for Excellence in Cultural Understanding and Global Citizenship Announcement
Courtney Uhlenhake, a senior majoring in agricultural business and international agriculture, is the 2022 recipient of the Maktoum Al Seiari Scholarship for Excellence in Cultural Understanding and Global Citizenship. This is the first time that the scholarship has been awarded. This scholarship was established in memory of Maktoum Hamad Al Seiari, a citizen of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who graduated from Iowa State University (ISU) in the spring of 2019 with a degree in chemical engineering. Maktoum was very passionate about the betterment of understanding between cultures. He was one of the first Emirati students to actively participate in ISU’s study abroad program to the UAE, and he continued to do so until his death in 2020. Each year, Maktoum contributed time and resources to the pre-trip orientation class, and to welcoming nearly 30 students and faculty into his home in Abu Dhabi, to share a piece of his culture. While in his home, the food, desserts, tea, and gifts never stopped flowing, as students further immersed themselves in learning about Emirati culture and traditions. The ISU students were amazed by the level of generosity Maktoum and his family exhibited. Students often commented that this was one of the highlights of their study abroad trip to the UAE.
Courtney Uhlenhake was awarded the Maktoum Al Seiari Scholarship for Excellence in Cultural Understanding and Global Citizenship and used the scholarship towards the Culture and Economic Diversification trip to the UAE in the fall of 2022. This trip was led by program directors Dr. Ebby Luvaga, Dr. Amani Elobeid, and Mr. Jean-Pierre Taoutel. Courtney’s experience while in the UAE included many agriculture visits, trips to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Falcon Hospital, Dubai Islamic Bank, various tourist and cultural attractions, and, most importantly, exposure to the Emirati culture. In Abu Dhabi, Courtney had the amazing opportunity to meet Maktoum’s family, listen to stories, and learn about their culture through food, dances, and conversations!
Courtney described her study abroad experience to the UAE as the most rewarding, eye-opening international experience she has ever had. “Being selected for the Maktoum Al Seiari Scholarship for Excellence in Cultural Understanding and Global Citizenship was an honor. This scholarship provided me with a learning experience I never imagined I would partake in at a university level. I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity to experience the positive energy and laughter in the Al Seiari home! I am now very committed to working hard to ensure that I live up to Maktoum’s vision of cultural understanding and global citizenship”
2022 CALS International Visitor Data
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is known globally for its excellent visitor training programs and is called upon frequently to provide short- and long-term training programs for visitors from around the world. In 2022, the college welcomed 50 visiting scholars and 8 student interns from 18 different countries. The Global Programs office hosted 21 students and two faculty from Reaseheath College, one of the United Kingdom's leading specialist land-based colleges based in Nantwich, Cheshire. The group visited Iowa from June 14-20, 2022.
The Global Programs office provides support and expertise to faculty and staff in the college that are interested in hosting international visitors. Learn more.
2022 CALS Faculty/ Staff International Travel
In 2022, a total of 67 CALS faculty and staff traveled to 43 different countries. Data based on faculty and staff registration through the Office of Risk Management International Travel Registration.
CALS Study Abroad Scholarship Donor Impacts
Shelley Taylor Study Abroad Student Support Fund scholar
| College of Agriculture and Life Science Dean's Study Abroad Leadership Scholar
| Dwight and Marilyn Conover Study Abroad Scholarship scholar
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"The most rewarding part of this experience must be experiencing the UAE firsthand after spending months preparing and learning what I could in the classroom. You can learn a lot about the landmarks and economy of a country online, but you can't even begin to learn about the people and the culture without visiting. Talking with local Emirati people taught me one big theme: despite the surface differences people seem to have, human connection will always prevail, and seeing that for myself was very rewarding. This scholarship gave me the opportunity to experience things I never thought I would be able to see. Learning in the classroom can only teach a student so much; and learning through experiences like the one I had is more than I could've dreamed of. I am a more well-rounded student because of this experience, due large in part to this generous scholarship!" - Kobe Riherd - Culture & Economic Diversification of the United Arab Emirates, Fall 2022 - | "The most rewarding part of my study abroad experience was getting the opportunity to explore another country with my peers and professor from Iowa State. I made so many memories while on my study abroad experience in Uruguay and learned a lot of valuable information about the country as well. If I had the chance to tell anyone considering participating in a study abroad program, I would highly encourage them to apply and participate because you won’t regret it! This scholarship has meant so much to me and there aren’t enough ways to describe how thankful I am to have been a recipient of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean’s Study Abroad Leadership Scholars Scholarship. Because I funded 100 percent of my education, I came into Iowa State thinking that I was never going to be able to afford a study abroad trip. This scholarship contributed tremendously to being able to participate in this experience and I will remember this experience for a lifetime! Again, thank you for making this possible for students and the generosity that you continue to provide." - Gabrielle Hackley - Soils, Agriculture and the Environment of Uruguay, Fall 2022 | "My favorite part of the study abroad was talking with locals about their personal lives and experiences within the UAE. In particular, our tour guide provided insights into what it was like to be an expat in the country. He talked about his family in India and how his work outside of his home country was greatly benefitting their lives. This scholarship was deeply appreciated as it allowed me to experience an entirely new culture and way of life through sights, smells, and sounds. I work two jobs while at school, and this scholarship allowed me to focus on the trip while traveling instead of the missed hours back in Ames" - Emily Shatek - Cultural and Economic Diversification of the United Arab Emirates, Fall 2022 |
Save the Date - ISU Study Abroad Fair
Spring Study Abroad Fair
Thursday, January 19, 2023
10:30- 1:30
Great Hall, Memorial Union