UI students share global experiences through photography

A student exploring a Buddhist temple in Bangkok. A quiet café overlooking Budapest's Parliament. A snow-covered University of Iowa campus, seen through the eyes of an international graduate student.

These are among the winning images selected for the 2025 UI International Programs International Photo Contest, which aims to inspire greater awareness of the transformative opportunities the UI community can experience through international education.

This November, UI celebratesInternational Education Month (IEM),highlighting the university's commitment to preparing students for a global environment and attracting future leaders from abroad to the U.S.

"This year, we strengthen the bond between campus and community as international students, Iowa faculty, and local partners learn and build together," says UI President Barbara J. Wilson. "We welcome alumni whose work in diplomacy, global health, the arts, and business opens doors around the world. The message is clear. The connection among students, faculty, community members, and alumni is continuous and strong."

The UI provides global education opportunities for all students, whether through fostering international perspectives via study abroad and global internship opportunities or by attracting students from around the world.

In fall 2025, 2,029 international students from 110 countries and territories are studying or conducting post-graduate research at Iowa. In the 2024-25 academic year, more than $660,000 in scholarships was awarded to students to study abroad, with 1,096 UI students studying in 52 different countries, an increase of 11% from the previous year.

This year's signature event, a student-organized Multicultural Showcase, will take place Nov. 14, introducing UI students, faculty, staff, and the greater Iowa City community to different cultures through performances, ethnic dishes, and interactive tabling hosted by student organizations and UI colleges and departments.

"This year's events are especially noteworthy because they've expanded to the point where they are part of what we now call International Education Month," says Russell Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs. "I am especially grateful to the IEM steering committee for their efforts to engage even more stakeholders across the university and Iowa City community to celebrate global education on our campus. As the activities broaden, so does our audience."

IEM not only includes photo contest winners and events, but also serves as a platform to celebrate the recipients of the annual UI International Impact Award and Global Student Award.

2025 International Impact Award recipients

The UI International Impact Awardrecognizes distinguished alumni and other individuals with significant ties to the university who have made sustained and deep contributions internationally or in the U.S. to promote global understanding.

Karri Goeldner Byrne (BA communication theory '92) and Gregs G. Thomopulos (DSC '10), are the recipients of the 2025 International Impact Award.

In addition to receiving the International Impact Award, Byrne will present this year's Commitment to Internationalization Lectureat 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Old Capitol Museum Senate Chambers. Her lecture, "Navigating the Unpredictable: The Private Sector as Partners in Humanitarian Response," is open to the public and will follow a brief ceremony where Byrne will receive her award.

Karri Goeldner Byrne

Byrne's 30-year career in international development has focused on helping businesses address complex economic challenges in some of the world's most demanding environments. As a senior leader with Mercy Corps and the International Rescue Committee, Byrne helped to design market analysis tools that became the gold standard for understanding market systems in humanitarian contexts. She continues to support this mission as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Markets in Crisis Community of Practice. Byrne was nominated by Leslie Yazel, chief community officer for Atlas Obscura and former executive editor for special projects with the Wall Street Journal. Yazel highlighted Byrne's global experiences and extraordinary commitment to international development - from volunteering at a refugee camp in Croatia to helping locals in Bosnia write plans to receive grants to create jobs post-war.

Gregs G. Thomopulos

Thomopulos is chairman emeritus of Stanley Consultants, Inc., a global consulting engineering organization headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, with offices nationally and internationally. He was its President/CEO for 20 years and chairman of the board for 10 years before his retirement in June 2017. Thomopulos was nominated by UI Center for Advancement Executive Director of Advancement Adam Blind, who highlighted Thomopulos' 51-year career working at Stanley Consultants, making contributions to the engineering field, including bringing electricity to the Philippines, safe water to Egypt, and post-Gulf War reconstruction to Kuwait and Iraq.

Global Student Award

The Global Student Award recognizes one undergraduate student and one graduate student who are deeply engaged leaders in international education on campus or abroad. The award was established in 2019 by International Programs and the Division of Student Life.

The recipients of this year's Global Student Award are Leila Assadi, an undergraduate student from Bettendorf, Iowa, double-majoring in economics and political science; and Cynthia Okafor, a PhD candidate in pharmaceutics from Agulu, Nigeria.

Assadi exemplifies what it means to be a globally minded Hawkeye. Her semester studying abroad at Korea University in Seoul sparked a deeper curiosity for culture and connection, shaping how she approaches learning and leadership back home at Iowa. As communications coordinator for Global Ties Iowa, co-founder and president of Ethics Bowl, and an active member of Tippie International Buddies, Assadi works to bring people together through dialogue, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Guided by a passion for international understanding, she is paving a path toward a career in law that reflects her belief in the power of connection and collaboration to bring people together.

As vice president of the UI chapter of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, Okafor has helped lead the organization to national recognition - earning the Chapter of the Year Award for the first time in Iowa's history. She also mentors students across Africa through the U.S. Department of State's Education USA Opportunity Funds Program, guiding them through every stage of the international education journey, from researching programs and identifying funding opportunities to preparing admissions materials and conducting mock admission interviews. Through initiatives such as founding the Unlocking Academic Excellence Conference in Nigeria and her involvement with the International Student Advisory Board and International Neighbors, Okafor strengthens global connections, cultivates belonging, and inspires others to pursue their academic and professional dreams across borders.

Photo Contest Winners

(See accompanying photo gallery to view images.)

Grand Prize Winner
Gretta Acheson
Majors: Environmental Policy and Planning, Economics
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Location: Lago di Braies, Italy

"This photo was taken at Pragser Wildsee Lake, located in the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park. This lake is a part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was the first solo trip I took while I was abroad. The pictures do not do it justice; this was the most beautiful place I've ever been in my entire life."

Exploring Local Cultures and Traditions
First place
Leila Assadi
Majors: Economics, Political Science
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa
Location: Bangkok, Thailand

"A great benefit to studying abroad in Seoul was the proximity to other Asian countries; at the end of my semester abroad, I travelled to Thailand for 10 days. One of the most unique experiences I had in Thailand was renting traditional Thai clothing, called chut thai, and exploring the Wat Arun temple. Wat Arun, translating to 'Temple of Dawn,' is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok lavishly decorated with porcelain and seashells. While wearing chut thai does not grant you free admission into temples or palaces, it was a way for me to step outside my comfort zone, creating unforgettable memories against a historical backdrop."

Honorable mention
Caroline Shelly
Major: Finance
Hometown: Fort Dodge, Iowa
Location: Sahara Desert

"This photo was taken at sunset in the Sahara Desert during one of my weekend trips with my amazing roommates from the University of Iowa, whom I met while studying abroad. We went to celebrate my 21st birthday, and it became one of those moments that reminded me why I chose to study abroad, which was to see the world in new ways and live the experiences I'd always dreamed of having. I'm so grateful I took the chance to pursue them. Studying abroad pushed me to say yes and experience things I never thought I'd do but always dreamed of, like riding a camel in the Sahara at sunset. Leaving Iowa to study in a new country was intimidating at first, but it taught me that the best memories come when you step outside what's familiar. I'm forever grateful I took the leap."

A Day in the Life
First place
Jack Renn
Majors: Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Waverly, Iowa
Location: Budapest, Hungary

"Framed by stone arches, a quiet café overlooks Budapest's Parliament - where history, architecture, and everyday life meet in a single view."

Honorable mention
Ava Stork
Major: Environmental Policy and Planning
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
Location: Killarney, Ireland

"This photo was taken at Ladies View, which is a scenic viewpoint along the Ring of Kerry in Killarney National Park, Ireland. This was one of the many destinations I visited during my eight-week study abroad internship and captures the beautiful and vast natural landscape of Ireland. Having the opportunity to explore the Irish countryside and learn more about the country's rich history was nothing short of incredible. There is a deep sense of cultural pride throughout Ireland, and living, working, and traveling there allowed me to both immerse myself in a new culture and gain valuable new perspectives. I truly learned so much and will forever cherish memories like this one."

Showing Off Your Hawkeye Pride
First place
Elham Taherian
Majors: Pharmaceutical Sciences and Therapeutics
Hometown: Isfahan, Iran
Location: Iowa City

"Cold air, warm welcome. This path taught me resilience and why 'Hawkeye' feels like home."

Honorable mention
Nazanin Vakili
Majors: Theatre Arts, Design
Hometown: Isfahan, Iran
Location: Iowa City

Black and gold sunset at Hancher Auditorium.