Two global studies students - Abeba Amenshowa, majoring in global development studies and foreign affairs and Leigh Mante, majoring in global public health and mathematical statistics have been awarded the Payne Fellowship and will pursue foreign service careers in USAID.

Two global studies students - Abeba Amenshowa, majoring in global development studies and foreign affairs and Leigh Mante, majoring in global public health and mathematical statistics have been awarded the Payne Fellowship and will pursue foreign service careers in USAID.

Even though University of Virginia’s China Office Director Justin O’Jack had never before played table tennis, he knew that this invitation to a ping-pong match could not be missed. The match was to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the United States table tennis team’s visit to China in April 1971.

The tour, which came to be known as “ping-pong diplomacy” by the American press, was seen as an important step toward thawing relations between China and the United States.

ianGrasso, from Clarence, New York, who graduated from the University of Virginia in three years in 2023 as a double major in human biology and French, is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public health at UVA’s School of Medicine. He plans to study at Oxford in the fall 2024 for a doctorate in clinical medicine. One of 32 Americans selected for the program, GianGrasso is the 56th Rhodes Scholar for UVA, the top Rhodes producing public university in the country.

ianGrasso, from Clarence, New York, who graduated from the University of Virginia in three years in 2023 as a double major in human biology and French, is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public health at UVA’s School of Medicine. He plans to study at Oxford in the fall 2024 for a doctorate in clinical medicine. One of 32 Americans selected for the program, GianGrasso is the 56th Rhodes Scholar for UVA, the top Rhodes producing public university in the country.

The United States is once again weighing intervention in Haiti, a Caribbean nation of about 11 million people riven by deep political, economic and social strife.

UVA Today sought some perspective from Haitian-born Robert Fatton Jr., Ambassador Henry J. Taylor and Mrs. Marion R. Taylor Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia. He frequently visits the country, where his siblings and extended family reside. He is author of “Haiti’s Predatory Republic: The Unending Transition to Democracy,” “Haiti: Trapped in the Outer Periphery” and “The Guise of Exceptionalism: Unmasking the National Narratives of Haiti and the United States.” He answered questions via email.

Criss-Crossing the globe, student’s missing care package finds a fellow Hoo.

A cohort of 14 students – a mix of rising second-, third- and fourth-years – did virtual internships with partner organizations in India, Morocco, Thailand and Peru over the summer.

Since the quake struck in the early morning hours of Monday, students at the University of Virginia have been doing what they can to help from a distance. About 80 UVA students, faculty and staff are from Turkey or Syria.“It’s devastating right now,” Ahmet Cengiz, a third-year student from Turkey, said. “We know that half a million people are going to be homeless in the region. And as you know, it’s winter and at least for a few more months, it’s going to be really cold.”

Cengiz is encouraging people to send requested supplies to either the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C., or to one of its consulates across the country.

Iran has been in upheaval since Sept. 16, when Mahsa Amini died after being detained by the country’s so-called “morality police” for allegedly failing to cover her hair with a hijab.

Abtin Afshar, leader of UVA’s Iranian Students Association has echoed his classmate’s call to spread the word about the protests and the lack of human rights in his country, especially when it comes to women.

Stephen Mull, UVA’s vice provost for global affairs, wrote to every Iranian student and employee at UVA on a student or work visa to express concern on behalf of UVA leadership and offer support. He said the University is ready to help its Iranian community through counseling or other support during the crisis.

When an injury paused Mir McLean's basketball workouts, she took the opportunity to pursue her studies in Morocco. In early June, McLean flew to Morocco, where she joined other students from UVA. The program, for which she received four credits, is based in Meknes, a city in northern Morocco.

When an injury paused Mir McLean's basketball workouts, she took the opportunity to pursue her studies in Morocco. In early June, McLean flew to Morocco, where she joined other students from UVA. The program, for which she received four credits, is based in Meknes, a city in northern Morocco.

Nifasha Diomede was far from his country of origin, but the course brought him closer to home. The second-year University of Virginia student was born in Tanzania, though his family moved to Roanoke in 2008. His parents – and most of the African community in Roanoke – speak Swahili, but Diomede couldn’t speak the language as fluently as his family or the people he grew up around. Signing up for a Swahili language course with associate professor Anne Rotich helped him connect with his parents.

The U.S. Department of State is accepting applications for the Spring cycle of its Paid Student Internship Program through July 18, 2022. 

The U.S. Department of State is accepting applications for the Spring cycle of its Paid Student Internship Program through July 18, 2022. 

The U.S. Department of State named the University of Virginia a “Top Producing Institution” of Fulbright U.S. Student Award recipients in 2023-24.

The U.S. Department of State named the University of Virginia a “Top Producing Institution” of Fulbright U.S. Student Award recipients in 2023-24.

Stephen Mull, UVA's Vice Provost for Global Affairs, speaks on the Gaza conflict.

Since 1983, more than 10,000 students have participated in the program that offers them new perspectives on life.

The U.S. Department of State has named the University of Virginia as a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-23 academic year.

The U.S. Department of State has named the University of Virginia as a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-23 academic year.

The U.S. Department of State has named the University of Virginia as a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-23 academic year.