BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—The IU2U program, a collaborative effort at Indiana University Bloomington that introduces incoming international students to life at IU, will expand to include visits to India, South Korea and an additional location in China.
The program launched in 2014 with sessions in Beijing, China, and will include a stop in Shanghai this year.
IU2U fosters student success by offering international students the opportunity to prepare for the academics, culture and engagement opportunities they will find at IU Bloomington. Currently, 251 students and 200 parents have registered to participate in this year’s session. The figures represent more than 30 percent of all undergraduate international students starting at IU this fall.
While students attend workshops to learn about student culture, setting academic and personal goals, curricular planning and course selection, their parents are invited to attend workshops on helping from home and education in the U.S. IU staff and current undergraduate students will lead sessions.
“IU2U builds a global connection for the newest international students, current undergraduate students, faculty and staff that strengthens intercultural understanding and relationships,” said Dennis Groth, vice provost for undergraduate education at IU Bloomington. “Through this program, we are engaging international students with the campus before they arrive, establishing a strong foundation for their success at IU.”
Workshops will take place in Beijing on June 13, Shanghai on June 16, Delhi on June 17 and Seoul on June 20. New this year, each IU2U session will culminate with an alumni reception connecting alumni in China, India and South Korea with the IU freshmen who are attending workshops.
The current undergraduate students who participate in IU2U will reconnect with the new international participants in the fall when they return for Welcome Week and orientation.
IU2U is a collaboration between the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Inclusion and Diversity, the Office of the Vice President for International Services, the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education, the Office of the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, the IU Alumni Association, the IU Foundation, the Kelley School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences.
For more information about IU2U and the team of students traveling for this year’s workshops, visit the IU2U website. A video about last year’s inaugural trip is available online.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Indiana University Bloomington facilitates a broad range of activities that promote innovation and enrichment in the curriculum and leads campus-wide programs and initiatives in support of outstanding academic experiences for all undergraduates.
