Vexing Visa Challenges
06/09/21

Source: Inside Higher Ed

The State Department is continuing to prioritize applications for student visas, but department officials do not expect to return to full capacity quickly.

Kathryn Strong, a visa policy analyst for the department, provided this information to international educators gathered virtually for the NAFSA: Association of International Educators annual meeting Thursday.

Higher education leaders have been worried for months about whether pandemic-related disruptions to visa processing will prevent...

Even Mists Have Silver Linings: Promoting LGBTQ+ Acceptance and Solidarity through Community-Based Theatre in India
05/27/21

In early 2020, Research Assistant Professor in the Center for Arts in Medicine (and recent Global Learning Institute fellow), Jeffrey Pufahl, conducted an international collaboration between UF and a local theatre company in Mumbai, India. Funded by the US Department of State, the project goal was to create an original play that would shift Indian audiences towards greater acceptance of the LGBTQ+ population. Even Mists Have Silver Linings ran for a week in Mumbai before being shut down by Covid-19 restrictions. In partnership with a local LGBTQ+ health advocacy organization, The Humsafar Trust, Pufahl researched...

Indonesian Community in Gainesville Celebrated Eid al-Fitr
05/27/21

Despite the fact that the coronavirus pandemic still brings uncertain situations for a lot of people, adaptation to these new circumstances is the best solution to manage and adapt to the current condition to keep moving forward, where now more than one third people in Florida have got fully vaccinated for coronavirus.

This week, all Muslims in the United States of America, including Muslim communities in Gainesville, happily celebrated Eid al Fitr, also called the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", on May 13 after completing fully 30 days of fasting beforehand. Indonesian community also did not miss to celebrate this special day commonly called “The Day of Victory” for Muslims....

Gainesville’s Islamic Community reflects on Ramadan and Eid celebrations during second year of pandemic
05/27/21

Source: The Alligator

When city mosques like the Hoda Center closed at the pandemic’s start, plans for Eid were uncertain for weeks. A year later, the center is excited to attempt a return to normalcy.

The communal prayers first-year UF medical student Yusuf Mehkri led on Eid had to be in person. Last year, the community prayed at home and the celebration, along with events worldwide, was canceled for their safety.

But this year, the center rented out the Legacy Park Recreation Complex in the city of Alachua that could fit up to a few thousand socially distanced...

UF Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Desi Month
05/27/21

As the nation celebrates Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American Heritage Month, the University of Florida is honored to invite you to help us grow the awareness of intersecting Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi identities, celebrations, stories and empowerment. Join the celebration and learn more about the Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi experience at UF.

Mapping COVID19 Spread in Brazil
05/13/21

Source: UF Emerging Pathogens Institute

Brazil's COVID-19 crisis has steadily worsened this spring. With only 2.7% of the world’s population, Brazil ranks third globally for the total number of people infected with COVID-19, and it is surpassed only by the US and India. It has the regrettable distinction of ranking second globally for deaths due to COVID-19, at slightly more than 395,000.

Countries where the virus is spreading out of control lead researchers to ask, Why? What factors might explain why the virus infects and kills so many people in one country, but not in others...

Beware of Scams Targeting International Students
05/12/21

Have you ever received a threatening email or phone call from someone claiming to be a government official? This is likely a scam. Cybercriminals target international students by posing as representatives of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other government agencies. The goal is to get you to send an immediate payment or share sensitive information, like your Social Security number, banking information, or GatorLink password.

We partnered with UF Information Technology (UFIT) to provide more information on how to recognize and report these scams. Our Director of International Student Support Services Debra Anderson shares some...

UF signs a memorandum of understanding with the OECD to reinforce research in the West African Sahel

Source: Geog.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE, FL – On March 4th, 2021, the University of Florida signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to encourage research on social and political changes in the West African Sahel. Signed on behalf of the UF Center for African Studies, the new agreement will reinforce ties between research and policies for sustainable development in the region.

The new agreement builds on the interdisciplinary network established by the ...

UF COVID-19 Update for International Students
04/20/21

Source: UFHealth COVID Updates

What a fantastic, record-setting effort we had last week: more than 17,250 people vaccinated at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium through our collaboration with the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County and with the support of Gator athletics — most of them students! Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator and put an end to the pandemic. We’re here to help and can get you in and out fast.

I am an international student — can I get vaccinated?

If you are living here as a student, you will be able to schedule a vaccine appointment. The Florida resident...

Globalizing Your Course: A Podcast with Paloma Rodriguez
04/20/21

UFIC is pleased to invite UF faculty and staff to listen to Globalizing Your Course: A Podcast with Paloma Rodriguez.

Having a global learning experience is not limited to students’ ability to travel.

Today, technology and creative teaching offer opportunities to internationalize the curriculum for students in every classroom.

Paloma Rodriguez, Director of the Office of Global Learning shares ideas on how you can globalize your course!

To listen to this podcast:
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