The Japanese ambassador to the United States, along with the Chicago consul-general and other embassy officials, visited the Japanese program to hear writers and translators read and to engage in conversation with students.

The proposed changes for fall 2025 will enhance collaboration and support student success.

Five students from Chinese program at the University of Iowa participated in the 2023 Midwest University Chinese Speech Contest on April 15 and won two First Prizes, two Second Prizes, and a Third Prize. The contest consisted of two components: an original speech delivered in Chinese and a performance of a talent related to Chinese language and culture. Competing against around 60 contestants from Mid-west universities across Mid-west states, the UI students demonstrated their Chinese speaking ability as well as their knowledge and passion about Chinese culture and tradition. Congratulations on their wonderful achievement!

Eight students from 2022-23 Year-round STARTALK Chinese program have been selected as the recipients of 2023 Youth Human Rights Award by the City of Iowa City's Human Rights Commission. The students have been recognized for their dedication to embracing cultural diversity as demonstrated through the performance of Chinese dragon dances and lion dances in 2023 Lunar New Year Celebrations at the Englert Theater and at Iowa City Public Library. The Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn, 328 S. Clinton St. The award recipients are: Yshaswi Jaishy, Sierra Keeney, Rayhan L Khan, Michael Lee, Jerry Li, Rachel Y Samuel, Philip Berry-Stoelzle, and Callum Wu.

Three students from Chinese program at the University of Iowa participated in the 2022 Midwest University Chinese Speech Contest on May 14 and won a First Prize, a Second Prize, and a Third Prize. The contest consisted of two components: an original speech delivered in Chinese and a performance of a talent related to Chinese language and culture. Competing against 51 contestants from Mid-west universities across six states, the UI students demonstrated their Chinese speaking ability as well as their knowledge and passion of Chinese culture and tradition. Congratulations on their wonderful achievement! 

The 2022 Iowa Chinese Teaching and Research Symposium was held at the University of Iowa on April 23rd, 2022. It was organized by the Chinese program at the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literature and sponsored by the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies. The symposium provided a platform for Iowa Chinese educators to exchange their Chinese teaching and research perspectives and products as well as to facilitate academic dialogue between secondary and college educators in the State of Iowa.

Eight University of Iowa students of Russian participated in 8 in the University of Pittsburgh's recent Russian Language Olympiada. Competing in three categories –poem recital, culture project presentation, and an interview– with students from around the country, our students earned medals.

Levels and times for the Korean Speech Contest held on April 16, 2022 via Zoom.

“You never know who you might meet or what you might learn,” said Mohamed. “I went into my study abroad experience thinking I would just go into international business after I graduated and figure out my next steps in life from there, but I came back from my experience confident knowing I want to go into modeling and use my degree to inspire.