International Education week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education that celebrates making connections, expanding horizons, and establishing mutual understanding between people in the United States and other countries. During the week of 18 November, the Office of International Affairs and many colleagues around CU Denver and CU Anschutz celebrated international education week through a variety of events highlighting international partnerships, international students, international scholars, and study abroad.

The Office of International Affairs is serves the internationalization goals of both CU Denver and CU Anschutz. This fall, more than 1,500 international students from 75 countries ranging from Argentina to China to Ghana to Vietnam to Zambia enrolled at CU Denver. CU Anschutz enrolled 160+ international students from 38 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Zimbabwe, and more.

International students enrich campus life, bringing global perspectives and cultural diversity into our classrooms. Their presence also contributes to the economy and to sustaining jobs; for every three international students, one U.S. job is created or supported. International students studying at U.S. colleges and universities contributed $40+ billion and supported 368,333 jobs for the U.S. economy during the 2022-2023 academic year. In Colorado, international students contributed $359.2 million to the state economy and supported 3,617 jobs. This included bringing $39.1 million and support for 389 jobs to CU Denver and $5.5 million with support for over 25 jobs at CU Anschutz. (Source: NAFSA: Association of International Educators)

In addition to international students coming to campus, CU Denver and CU Anschutz students are expanding their knowledge through short-term and semester-long studies and experiences abroad. Global learning opportunities and study abroad programs bring global learning experiences within reach for the university’s diverse student population, including first-generation, veterans, transfers, and students from diverse backgrounds. A student’s ability to engage globally during their academic career provides opportunities for transformative experiences while they prepare for national and international professional careers.

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WEEK IN REVIEW  

Monday, November 18: GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

Global Partnerships: Strong Framework for International Student Success

For decades, productive relationships between the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus and international sponsors and university partners have resulted in educational opportunities for students throughout the world. From regions as diverse as the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, the university’s Office of International Affairs has worked with university departments, government sponsors and partner institutions to explore and develop academic and research partnership opportunities.

International partnerships are a critical aspect of the university’s international engagement. There are over 90 active international partnerships between CU Denver and CU Anschutz which facilitates opportunities for academic collaboration, faculty exchange, collaborative research, study abroad, joint research publications, professional training, and much more.

This year marked an important milestone for CU Denver’s longest and most productive international partnership – the 30^th Anniversary of International College Beijing. Events were held in both Beijing and Denver to honor the occasion.

For more than a quarter of a century, thousands of students have benefitted from the International College Beijing program, a unique collaboration in education between the University of Colorado Denver and China Agricultural University (CAU). As the first partnership of its kind, ICB offers classes to Chinese students in China and  Colorado, and provides undergraduate degrees in economics and communication degrees from the University of Colorado Denver. Discussions are underway for the addition of a program related to public health.

At the CU Denver recognition event, Provost Constancio Nakuma spoke of the alignment of academic goals, mutual trust, and cooperation between of the University of Colorado Denver and China Agricultural University. “There are encouraging signs that the future of the ICB partnership remains very bright.”

“International College Beijing started with just twelve students in 1994; today, there are more than 9,000 graduates of ICB,” explained Daoling Li, Dean, International College Beijing, China Agricultural University, during his highly informative presentation.

More than 90 faculty and staff have supported student learning at ICB, and the success rate for ICB students is high, both during and after graduation. Students maintain, on average, a GPA of 3.5 and they make the most of their rich educational opportunities in Colorado by actively engaging in campus events, studying abroad through CU Denver programs, and volunteering to help with local communities.

More than 90% of ICB graduating students continue on into graduate programs at Boston University, Columbia University City of New York, University of Colorado Denver, University of Edinburgh, Harvard University, Imperial College London, London School of Economics, George Washington University, Yale University, and other respected institutions.

Graduates of the ICB program become the next generation of global citizens as innovators, communicators, policy makers, and leaders. Former ICB students have continued on into a variety of successful careers, including Multimedia Reporter for China Daily, Media Editor for China National Geographic, Digital Content Producer for CGTN America, and other exciting professional directions at companies that include Apple, JP Morgan, Mercedes Benz, Microsoft, and The World Bank, to name a few.

“I have deep appreciation for the many opportunities provided by ICB, especially the faculty’s guidance,” said student presenter Yu Wei. “ICB has a strong, supportive community dedicated to academic excellence; ICB is a gateway that opens new paths for all of us as we move forward onto the world stage.”

The celebration also received a special visitor – Zhiqiang Guo, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. Guo observed that International College Beijing represents a model of cooperation between the United States and China. “The future depends on the youth of China and the U.S.; ICB is important in promoting the friendship between our two great nations.”

Tuesday, November 19: GLOBAL EDUCATION: STUDY ABROAD

Study Abroad Photo Showcase

From Fall 2023-Summer 2024, 442 CU Denver | Anschutz learners studied abroad across the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, & Oceania. At this upbeat Study Abroad Photo Showcase event, beautiful, award-winning framed photos from the Summer 2024 Photo Contest lined the walls, as a panel of five study abroad program alumni shared their global perspectives and recounted the lessons learned during their studies abroad.

“We work with incredible faculty who spend hours and hours developing their study abroad programs and bringing them to life,” said Nicole Herrin, Global Education Program Manager. “Students tell us how their faculty leaders have changed the students’ lives during a study abroad program.”

Cyrus Dioun, Assistant Professor, Business School, was honored with the first Global Education Outstanding Faculty Leader Award; he leads the popular study abroad program, Business Insights and Cultural Delights in Munich and Prague.

“Being able to spend two weeks with 14 students from different backgrounds and in different degree programs was so valuable,” said Dioun. Given that many degree programs are online, he feels that students sometimes feel a sense of isolation. A study abroad program revitalizes and deepens a student’s interest in their field of study; it also provides an enriching cultural and social experience.

Viewpoints from the student panel reinforced this idea. Panelist Tyler Gibson, MBA student and alum of the Munich/Prague study abroad program, said, “I couldn’t believe the high caliber of the businesses we visited and the employees we talked to.” In addition to gaining subject matter insights, Gibson thought the experience had helped him personally.

“I just got out of the Army a year ago, and this trip helped me to gain more patience,” he said. “The people we met were trying to live in peace, survive, and they were very patient with our business questions and with us.”

Gibson thought that the study abroad program helped him to “take a step back and better gauge the room.” He feels that these skills will be important in his future career.  “When you can really see who you’re talking to, not make assumptions, ask the right questions, and better understand the culture, you gain trust.”

There were moments of fun as well. “A Czechian team was playing hockey with an American team. We were smack-talking in a friendly way. When the Czechian team won the championship several days later, “the whole city went crazy (happy).”

Erin Newton participated in the College of Nursing’s Community & Population Health Clinical Experience for Advanced Practice Nursing Students, which is conducted specifically for students earning a bachelor’s degree in the accelerated UCAN program taught by Pamela Prag.

“The Guatemalan nurses are so skilled,” said Newton. “They hike miles to remote areas where there is little to work with, set up mini-labs, conduct health tests, and are able to advise mothers and children about their healthcare needs.”

Business student Courtney (Coco) Munn gave her point of view about the two study abroad programs she attended, Using Empowerment for Poverty Alleviation and Better Health in Kenya, led by Blair Gifford, and Waking Your Entrepreneurial Spirit in Spain, led by Jim LoPresti. She also conveyed appreciation for the study abroad scholarship that she received.

“As a 23-year old student who is working three jobs and who chose to go on two study abroad trips over the last year, I personally have no regrets about paying for this trip and for putting a dent in my budget,” Munn said.  “It was a great decision, an incredible experience, and totally worth it.”

A student enrolled in a neighboring university, Metropolitan State University, also joined a CU Denver study abroad program. Shiro Huffman studied abroad on CU Denver’s Korea Goes Global program, led by Tony Robinson.

“In South Korea, my fear was that there would not be a lot of diversity,” said Huffman. “As it turned out, the Koreans were very welcoming and warm.”

“I really want to thank CU Denver for letting me take the extra steps to enroll in this study abroad program. I was able to transfer the earned credit back into my MSU degree plan.” Huffman added, “It was a great opportunity to be in the field with a mentor; our program leader travels all over the world.” Munn concluded, “You pay for these course credits anyway, so you might as well study in someplace cool!”

Wednesday, November.20:INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, SCHOLARS, & UNIVERSITY PARTNERS

Friendsgiving 2024 Luncheon – CU Anschutz campus

Hosted by the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of International Affairs

In the season of giving, the Office of Student Affairs event hosted a delicious ‘Friendsgiving’ luncheon for students and international scholars to celebrate their success this semester and provide them with an opportunity to connect with peers from across campus. Contributions were made by the Office of International Affairs.

Thursday, November 2:INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, SCHOLARS, & UNIVERSITY PARTNERS

Friends of International: Friendsgiving Luncheon – CU Denver campus

Hosted by the Office of International Affairs

The Office of International Affairs heartily thanked their strategic partners who support international student success at CU Denver. Through these efforts and collaborations, more international students from diverse global regions are able to meet their moment, graduate with honors, and land jobs worldwide.

Alana Jones, Associate Vice Chancellor, Office of International Affairs, thanked all of the participants and highlighted their collaborative efforts in working toward the internationalization goals of CU Denver | Anschutz.

“Effectively meeting our students where they are at and providing the unique support that they need for success is a collaborative effort across the entire campus. OIA is grateful for the deep and effective partnerships with colleagues in schools, colleges, and departments across campus to support international student priorities.”

Jones explained, “Our current top priorities for serving our international students are: (1) to create a welcoming environment and a sense of belonging; (2) to ensure international students have the course offerings they need to maintain their visa status; (3) to clarify the university’s academic policies, for example, what plagiarism means in a U.S. academic context.”

She also brought attention to the importance of the International Student Emergency Fund in CU Denver Advancement. Occasionally, a dedicated, academically successful international student’s educational journey is suddenly interrupted or cut short by a financial crisis. Unexpected disasters at home – massive  flooding, earthquakes, medical emergencies, currency devaluation,  losses in family incomes -- have affected more than one of the university’s international students. In these cases, there are no funds available to bridge the gap of their financial crisis. CU Denver is committed to making education work for all, and this includes international students who face such an issue. The International Student Emergency Fund supports international students who encounter such hardships, helping them to continue their education at CU Denver.

Another scholarship, the Study Abroad Scholarship Fund, has been created to help CU Denver | Anschutz students advance their subject matter knowledge through studies abroad. Experiential learning opportunities provide unique, enriching moments that extend far beyond the classroom. From Cuba to Kenya to Spain to Taiwan and other countries, study abroad offerings enable a diversity of students to take a deep dive into international studies, clinical opportunities, and research. The university is #1 in diversity among Colorado research universities, and is keenly focused on bringing a meaningful study abroad experience within reach for every student.

Jones added, “Employees who are interesting in supporting either of these initiatives can easily set up a payroll deduction for these funds; I’ve been contributing for several years.”

The Office of International Affairs is looking forward to hosting International Education Week 2025. For more information, please contact Alana Jones, [email protected], or send your inquiries to [email protected].

Learn more:

Office of International Affairs

Scholarships - Office of Advancement:

• International Student Emergency Fund
• Study Abroad Scholarship Fund

   

  International Newsroom