University of Iowa International Student Advisory Board

Are you traveling this holiday season?
Here are a few reminders to make sure you are ready!

🤔Did you know ISAB is committed to sharing information to international students and help educate our community?

This time we’re here to explain the difference between VISA & STATUS a common confusion among students and professionals.

Source: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2016/01/student-visa-vs-student-status-what-difference

🤔Did you know ISAB is committed to sharing information to international students and help educate our community?

Help spread the correct information! 🤓☝️

Remember to always seeking the most updated information, ask an immigration attorney for further and tailored clarification.

Sources:
1- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/100000-h-1b-visa-fee-who-pays/
2- https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/trump-100000-fee-h1b-visa/
3- https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-us-employers-hiring-opt-f-1-students-exempt-from-100k-h-1b-petition-fee-4027852/

Join the Scholars’ Table Lunch! 🍽️

Meet and network with Fernanda Campos, Mellon Curatorial Assistant for Provenance Research at the Stanley Museum of Art.

Fernanda brings over 10 years of experience in the non-profit and academic sectors, with a strong background in cultural management. She holds degrees from the University of Chicago, Goldsmiths, University of London, and Universidad de las Américas, Puebla.

📅 Thursday, October 23
📍 Stanley Museum of Art
🎓 Open to all graduate students

✨Register in the link in the stories!

🎒How to daily carry your documents on you safely 📑

Here are some best practices for international students to safely store and carry their documentation on a daily basis.

🌍 ISAB Fall 2025 Retreat Recap! 🌎

We had an incredible time at our Fall 2025 retreat on Saturday, August 30! During the retreat, our ISAB board members had meaningful time through ice breaker activities like the “get to know each other bingo”, the “team puzzle challenge” and a productive networking lunch.

We also discussed and brainstormed ideas to improve the international student experience at UI. Finally, each of us chose a project we wanted to work on until the end of the school year.

We’re excited to continue working together to advocate for and support our international community! Stay tuned for our upcoming initiatives and efforts!

Fresh Check Day is a campus-wide mental health fair.

Fresh Check Day is unique from more traditional programs around mental health in that it combines a fun, fair-like atmosphere with constructive conversation around mental health and wellness and su***de prevention. It also helps students get connected with important campus resources.

Enjoy free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and start the semester off with fun and fast-paced conversations!

There are other Coffee Hours hosted by Life in Iowa this semester. Check them out on the Life in Iowa website and add them to your calendar.

This event is a part of Life in Iowa, a program hosted by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), that is designed to assist international students in adjusting to life and the academic system here at the University of Iowa.

𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 “𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧”!

On Monday, April 7, 2025, our ISAB undergraduate board member met with the Office of English as a Second Language (ESL). During the undergrad board meeting, we had a conversation about how ISAB can better support international students and explored opportunities for future collaboration.

ESL Programs provides individual tutoring for the University of Iowa in its English Language Center. ESL Faculty and Teaching Assistants offer 30-minute or 45-minute sessions for English language support.

Stay tuned for more updates!✨

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 “𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙢𝙗𝙪𝙙𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣”?

On Monday, March 10, 2025, the Undergraduate Board met with the Office of the Ombudsperson. It was a great opportunity to build connections with the new office and learn more about their mission and services.

The Office of the Ombudsperson at the University of Iowa is here to support you with confidential, neutral, and informal guidance! Whether you’re facing academic concerns, work-life balance challenges, or just need a safe space to talk, they’re here to help.

Question?
Reach out to the Office of the Ombudsperson via Email ([email protected]) or phone call (315-335-3608).

🎯 ISAB Function Update 24-25
We’re excited to announce an update to our board’s functions!

Old Functions:
• Advocacy
• Relationship Building
• Sounding Board

New Functions:
• Advocacy
• Relationship Building
• Providing Student Resources

What does “Providing Student Resources” mean?
Comprises resources and information from the international student perspectives and disseminates resources to the international student community and beyond.

Stay tuned for project updates and announcements!✨

🌍✨ Mental Health Around the World: Journey Through Emotions ✨🌍
Join us on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, for a day of self-discovery, connection, and celebration of global mental health practices!

Mental Health Awareness Walk
📍 1 p.m | Hubbard Park

Main Event
📍 2–6 p.m | Black Box Theater, IMU
Explore how different cultures care for mental well-being through interactive exhibits, performances, and more!