News

Spanish major Sean Keene launches Hawkeye-led podcast ‘Around the World in 80 Stays’ promoting the power of study abroad

University of Iowa (UI) honors student Sean Keene, a triple major in political science, broadcast journalism, and Spanish, has studied abroad three times as an undergraduate. Now a third-year student at Iowa, Keene launched a podcast in September—Around the World in 80 Stays—dedicated to helping other Hawkeyes do the same. Click the title above to read more!

Spanish & Portuguese Faculty Win Open Educator Award

The Iowa OER Awards recognize individuals and teams across the state who have done impactful and noteworthy open education work. The recipients of the 2025 Open Educator Award include Dr. Giovanni Zimotti, Dr. Alexis Jiménez, Dr. Rachel Klevar, Dr. Pilar Marcé, and Luke Whitaker.

New Winter Term Study Abroad Program in Costa Rica

Explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica over winter break. This three-week, English-taught program explores the intertwining of eco-tourism and culture in Costa Rica. A large portion of class time is devoted to field trips and site visits related to eco-tourism.
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2 Spanish undergraduate students awarded 2025 study abroad scholarship

9 UI students--two who are current undergraduate students minoring in Spanish--have been awarded Gilman Scholarships to study and intern abroad in 2025.
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Two faculty members from the Dept. of Spanish & Portuguese Honored with 2025 CLAS Awards

Nominated for consideration by their colleagues, Dr. Kristine Muñoz and Dr. Rachel Klevar are two of nine faculty members from CLAS who were presented with a 2025 teaching and engagement award.

5 Pieces of Advice I’d Give Myself after Studying Abroad in Costa Rica

Abigail Kloha, a Spanish and translation major at the University of Iowa and a Global Access Ambassador, studied abroad through IFSA Butler in Heredia, a non-sponsored program at the Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica. Click on the title above to read her reflection on the experience!

The Power of Being Lost: Lessons from Buenos Aires

Ellie Crock, a double major in Spanish and ethics & public policy, and a Global Access Ambassador, studied abroad through the CIEE Buenos Aires Liberal Arts Program. Click the title above to read her reflection on the experience!

Oriette D'Angelo Awarded CLAS Dissertation Fellowship

Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Oriette D'Angelo was just awarded a Dissertation Writing Fellowship from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to complete her dissertation, "Trauma Fiction in Contemporary Latin American Narratives."
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How studying abroad prepared Paras Bassuk to become a 2025 Rhodes Scholar

Paras Bassuk was selected as one of this year’s 32 American Rhodes Scholars, making them the 23rd University of Iowa recipient. This fall, Bassuk will continue their studies at the University of Oxford in England, although this isn’t the first time Bassuk has pursued education abroad. Bassuk previously studied abroad through two UI programs in Spain and Argentina during the summer and fall of 2023. “My experience studying abroad gives me so much confidence to take this next step and pursue postgraduate study at the University of Oxford."
Demonstrators march during an immigration protest in downtown Iowa City on Friday, Feb. 3, 2025. Dozens of demonstrators danced, sang, chanted, and marched throughout the early evening. A handful of counter-protesters were in attendance.

The legacy and history of Latino protest at UI

Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Protests in downtown Iowa City against Trump’s mass deportation plans follow a long history of protest in Iowa.