11/10/25
The UF International Center successfully hosted the latest session of its Innovations in International Education speaker series last week. Joel Parker, MFA, Associate Director for the Center for Experiential Learning, shared insights on “Creativity in Study Abroad: Enhancing Student Meaning-Making and Well-Being.” The event highlighted best practices in international education and provided a space for UF faculty to explore innovative approaches to teaching study abroad. Attendees engaged in thoughtful discussions on fostering meaningful global learning experiences and participated in hands-on exercises emphasizing the value of letting go of perfection and control.
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11/10/25
The Office of Global Learning is excited to share data on UF student participants in virtual exchange programs for recent academic years. This data reveals that student involvement in virtual exchange has more than doubled over the past academic years, with engagement now spanning a wide range of disciplines across campus. We thank our faculty partners who have taken part in our virtual exchange trainings and have implemented virtual exchange into their course curricula - your efforts have been instrumental in driving this record growth.
If you are interested in understanding the fundamentals of virtual exchange, consider signing up for Virtual Exchange: The Basics, an...
As part of UFIC’s Student Appreciation Month, Dean Marta L. Wayne hosted a special breakfast to celebrate and thank our wonderful student assistants. The event brought together students from across the office to enjoy good food, great conversation, and recognition of their invaluable contributions to UFIC’s mission.
11/10/25
Congratulations to Dr. Madan K. Oli, who has been officially appointed as an Honorary Research Professor at the University of Alcalá (UoA) in Spain. Ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and recognized as Spain’s best university for international students, UoA’s appointment of Dr. Oli is a distinguished honor that highlights UF’s growing global reputation and commitment to internationalizing the curriculum.
Dr. Oli is a renowned population ecologist whose work bridges complex mathematical modeling and real-world conservation. His research on species such as snow leopards and endangered beach mice has advanced understanding of how organisms persist in changing...
11/03/25
Poet and scholar Dr. Kole Odutola shares highlights from his inspiring week at the 29th Poetry Africa Festival in Durban, South Africa (October 6–11, 2025). His travelogue captures the spirit of creativity and justice that filled each day—from powerful performances and global voices to moments of reflection overlooking the Indian Ocean.
To read the full travelogue, click here or on the image below.
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11/03/25
The College of Nursing welcomed Dr. Rodrigo Jensen, an associate professor at the University of São Paulo’s School of Nursing, for a weeklong visit beginning Oct. 20.
Dr. Jensen, a longtime collaborator with Tamara Macieira, focuses his research on nursing informatics and the development of artificial intelligence–backed educational tools designed to prepare the next generation of nurses in Brazil. His visit supports the college’s commitment to advancing international collaboration and innovation in nursing education and research.
An obstetric nurse by training, Dr. Jensen holds a Ph.D. in health sciences from the State University of...
11/03/25
Yessy Eka Ambarwati is a graduate student in the Educational Technology program at the University of Florida and serves as a member of the International Student Council for Fall 2025–Spring 2026. Originally from Indonesia, Yessy has more than ten years of experience as a physics teacher and has worked as part of her school’s International Curriculum team, teaching IGCSE and A-Level students. Her passion for education and technology has led her to pursue advanced studies in the U.S., supported by a Fulbright scholarship. She has also participated in programs at the University of Michigan, focusing on advanced educational technology, and has won several national teaching...
11/03/25
The UF International Center recently welcomed Dr. Alejandro Yepjen Ramos, Director of the Archaeology School at the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo (UNT), Peru. His visit aimed to strengthen the partnership between UF and UNT, explore new academic collaborations, and expand opportunities for student exchange under the active Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.
10/27/25
For Jess Mercier, travel was never a given - it was a choice that changed everything. Born in Indiana and raised in South Carolina, she didn’t grow up in a family that traveled much. However her participation in Semester at Sea as an undergraduate student opened her eyes to the world and quickly turned her international curiosity into a calling.
Today, Jess serves as the Assistant Director of Outreach & Marketing for UF Study Abroad, where she helps inspire students to take their first steps toward transformative international experiences. Jess’s current position is a conglomeration of various outreach and marketing outlets – social media, the student blog, on-campus events,...