IEW Archives

Advocating for International Education
Zoom Recording | PPT Slides
Global learning leads to a more engaged and welcoming United States, more responsive and participatory government, and a more secure and peaceful world. Organizations like NAFSA, IIE, and the Presidents' Alliance advocate for policies that foster the exchange of ideas, create a commonsense immigration process, support the evolution and improvement of democratic institutions, and encourage enlightened global engagement. Erica Stewart, Director of NAFSA's Advocacy & Media Outreach, will share NAFSA's advocacy efforts, and show us how we can speak out for students, scholars, and policies that matter to us! Greg Fletcher, Program Director for the Caltech Y, will discuss student-led opportunities and programs to get locally and globally involved in volunteer and advocacy programs. For additional resources, Click Here to Get Informed and Get Involved

Advocating for Social & Economic Inclusion in Brazil
Zoom Recording | PPT Slides
While back at his hometown of Florianópolis, Brazil during the pandemic, graduate student Eduardo de Veiga Beltrame was struck by the shared set of challenges between Brazil and the United States. The year 2020 drew his attention towards educational inequalities, marginalized communities, violence, wildfires, and volatile political climates. He recognized his very fortunate position juxtaposed to the economic struggle and anxiety others around him were experiencing. What could he do about it? How could he leverage his position as a graduate student in the United States to help improve conditions in Brazil? He found an avenue for doing that through the Vilson Groh Institute, a non-profit organization from his hometown built on decades of work in marginalized communities providing cultural, educational, and community projects, and providing basic support to people in need. In this session, Eduardo will share his path in advocacy and his hope for the future. He will be joined by Tainara Lemos das Neves, the educational program director of the Vilson Groh Institute. Together, they will share a vision for tangible solutions to the thorniest problems of Brazilian society through civic and technological education, social and economic inclusion, and a shared set of values. If interested in a preview, Eduardo also recently published an article about his experiences.

Advocating for Animal Welfare in Kazakhstan
Zoom Recording | PPT Slides
When graduate student, Altyn Rymbek, learned of animal mistreatment in her home country, she vowed to be part of the solution. Being far from home, she joined an animal rescue organization in Kazakhstan that is working to change animal welfare laws in the country and to educate youth to respect and care for animals and pets in the hopes of changing the culture from within. Altyn volunteers remotely and helps to build partnerships with local U.S. animal rescue and welfare organizations to learn from their experience. In this presentation, Altyn will share her personal journey in advocacy and address current governmental practices for controlling the animal population in Kazakhstan and in many developing countries as well as what advocates are doing to make a better world for our animal friends.

Advocating for International Students & Scholars in the United States
U.S. travel bans, both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic, hindered academics from study, research, and critical scientific collaborations. As travel halted, advocacy and activism grew in support of international students and scholars. Online communities sprouted across social media platforms to share concerns about discrimination and lack of opportunity, as well as to navigate personal mental health challenges. Hear how some international scholars found their voice to advocate for change. This moderated panel features Dr. Valeria Barra, Caltech Research Software Engineer, Dr. Carmen Falcone, postdoctoral scholar at UC Davis, and Dr. Valerio Francioni, postdoctoral scholar at MIT.

Advocating for Academic Freedom in Belarus
Zoom Recording | PPT Slides | Advocacy Resources
Following a 2020 presidential election marred by accusations of electoral fraud, there have been widespread protests across Belarus supporting democracy that have been met with a violent crackdown by authorities. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch cite "harassment and intimidation resulting in mass detentions and criminal cases against peaceful protesters." Government repression in Belarus has targeted universities with the expulsion of students and the firing of professors that participate in peaceful protests. Academics and students face detention, criminal charges, and imprisonment with many forced to flee the country for their own safety. Graduate student Alena Buinskaya shares her personal experiences advocating for democracy in Belarus and ways the local academic community can get involved. Advocacy information available at the Belarus Freedom Forum.

International Education Advocacy
Monday, Nov 16 | Click Here to Get Informed and Get Involved
Global learning leads to a more engaged and welcoming United States, more responsive and participatory government, and a more secure and peaceful world. Organizations like NAFSA, IIE, and the Presidents' Alliance advocate for policies that foster the exchange of ideas, create a commonsense immigration process, support the evolution and improvement of democratic institutions, and encourage enlightened global engagement. Click the link above to learn about their advocacy efforts, the economic value of international students in the U.S., and how you can take action and make a difference.

No Passport Required: Virtual Travel Experiences
Tuesday, Nov 17 | Click Here to Start Your Journey
When travel is out of reach, we can still feel the excitement of travel and learn about the world around us through photos, stories, videos, and courses - all available at our fingertips to enjoy at our own pace. Click the link above to open up a world of opportunity.

Coming to America - The International Spouse Experience
Wednesday, Nov 18 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM PST | Zoom Recording | Presentation Slides
Members of the Caltech International Spouses Club (CISC) share their personal stories of accompanying their spouses to the United States and to Caltech. They will speak about the challenges and the humorous side of cultural adjustment and how they found their unique ways to grow their own paths and contribute to the local community. Presented by CISC president Ameya Joshi and CISC members Dalia and Nidhi. Zoom recording will be posted here after the event.

Behind the Consular Curtain
Thursday, Nov 19 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM PST | Zoom Recording | Presentation Slides
Immigration attorney, Avi Friedman, will provide insight into the processes behind visa decisions, with a focus on the international students and scholars (postdocs, faculty, staff). Learn about current issues at the Department of State, including administrative processing, denials, and revocations, and how to overcome these issues. Zoom recording will be posted here after the event.

International Education Roundtable Discussions
Friday, Nov 20 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM PST | RSVP For Meeting Link
International Offices staff and the GSC International Student Committee (ISC) will host virtual discussion circles on the site, wonder.me. Topics will include: Travel, Student Advocacy + Leadership, F-1 and J-1 Student Employment Options, and Scholar Employment (postdoc, green card, etc.). This session is designed to address questions from international students and scholars.

Celebrating and promoting international education and exchange, International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to recognize the global exchange environment between the United States and other countries.

Global Things: Travelling the World with Textiles
Monday, Nov 18 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
Explore the history of global textiles from the 15th to the 19th centuries, when textiles were traded internationally more than any other manufactured product. Hear the stories of those textiles as they moved round the world and of the presenter's own travels to museums and archives across the world to research them. Presented by Dr. John Styles, Searle Professor of History and historian from the Victoria and Albert Museum and the University of Hertfordshire England.

Educated on the Border
Tuesday, Nov 19 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
Undergraduate student Antonio Monreal takes us on his personal journey from Juarez, Mexico across the border to El Paso, Texas in search of educational opportunities. Overcoming challenges of language, cultural adjustment, discrimination, and poverty, Antonio shares his success gained from a lot of hard work and some lucky breaks.

Nuclear Diplomacy - How States Make Peace Despite the Atom
Wednesday, Nov 20 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
In 1953, U.S. President Eisenhower gave a speech to the UN General Assembly titled, "Atoms for Peace." The initial optimism of this new nuclear-powered world soon gave way to the fear of nuclear proliferation and mismanagement of radioactive materials. In a series of technical and diplomatic feats, nations around the world have managed to keep the spread of atomic material in check. The first of such historic agreements, signed in 1963 between the US, UK and USSR, banned the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, and in doing so, paved the way for bigger and bolder international treaties. This is the story of the precious-yet-precarious nuclear diplomacy. Presented by undergraduate student, Damien Bérubé.

International Inspirations and Challenges: Engineering Space Origami
Thursday, Nov 21 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
Caltech alum and JPL scientist, Dr. Manan Arya, will talk about how the Japanese art of paper folding inspires the design and advancement of unfoldable structures technology. He will also discuss the unique challenges of being a Canadian national working at a national lab and the international nature of the field of origami engineering.

SURFing in South Korea
Friday, Nov 22 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
Undergraduate student, Will Overman, shares his experiences and perspectives on research and academic culture in South Korea from his 2019 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) at the Institute for Basic Science near KAIST in Daejeon.

Advocacy from Within: An International Student's Experience in America
Monday, Nov 12 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
What does it mean to be an international student? Hear one student's account of navigating academic exchange, U.S. immigration hurdles, and societal micro-aggressions. Join graduate student Ana Lobo in a conversation about immigration, advocacy, rights, and cultural identity in the U.S. today.

Studying in Denmark: Secrets of the 3rd Happiest Country in the World
Tuesday, Nov 13 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
Denmark is a stark contrast to Southern California. The weather is cold, cloudy, and wet. The public transportation system works. The drinking age is 16. You get taxed for the emissions your car produces. Listen to Caltech undergraduate Sophus Shackford share stories of academia and hippie communes from his four-month study abroad near Copenhagen.

Dish and Discuss: A Mathematical Journey through Africa
Wednesday, Nov 14 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Bechtel Dining Room
Since 2011, Caltech's Von Karman Postdoctoral Instructor, Dr. Franca Hoffmann, has been involved with Supporting African Mathematics Initiatives (SAMI), a UK-based charity that works to address access to and quality of mathematics education in Africa. SAMI currently works in Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda and supports a wide variety of projects crossing education, research and global development. Come hear how Dr. Hoffmann became involved in STEM outreach in Africa. Hosted by Caltech Center for Diversity.

Empowering Developing Communities with Medical Technology and Training
Thursday, Nov 15 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
Caltech undergraduate students George Daghlian and Michael Yao co-founded AtriaConnect, a nonprofit organization that empowers developing communities with low-cost medical technology and the training to sustain it in practice. AtriaConnect has launched a project in Haiti and is expanding to Armenia. Fellow undergraduate, Ramya Deshpande, joined AtriaConnect as a student volunteer to grow the organization's online platform to connect physicians in low-income communities to specialist expertise across the world. Come hear Ramya, George, and Michael share what inspires them to do this important work.

Chasing Glaciers: An International Quest for Answers
Friday, Nov 16 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
Growing up in the foothills of the French Alps, Caltech postdoctoral scholar Flavien Beaud developed a passion for exploring mountains and a scientific curiosity for the stories mountains can tell us. His career has brought him to Switzerland, Canada, and the U.S. in the study of glaciers and how erosion and climate change are a global concern.

Economic Impact Analysis of Immigrant Entrepreneurs Across America
Monday, Nov 13 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
At the intersection of immigration policy and economics sits immigrant entrepreneurship research, an emerging study of the origins, motivations, activities, outcomes, and impacts of foreign-born individuals who need to navigate an immigration system to start a business. How can we measure the economic impact of foreign-born startup founders across the United States? Undergraduate Damien Bérubé shares his research and his hope to better inform policy.

Inspirations + Transformations: My Journey from Cairo to Caltech
Tuesday, Nov 14 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
As a young child growing up in Egypt, graduate student Ahmed Soliman was inspired by Dr. Ahmed Zewail, the first Egyptian to win a Nobel Prize in science. Little did he know that one day he would meet Dr. Zewail at Caltech and transform into a scientist himself. He will share how he overcame challenges with language and education and his inspiration from meeting Nobel Laureates at Caltech as the building blocks of his career in science. Come hear Ahmed's story, and you will be inspired, too.

LIGO-India Gets Green Light
Wednesday, Nov 15 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
India will join the LIGO global network with its own Laser Interferometer for gravitational waves. The addition of the Indian interferometer will allow for studies of Einstein's gravity in unprecedented ways. The project is expected to motivate and inspire young scientists in India to explore new technologies. Dr. Rana Adhikari, Professor of Physics, will explain the benefits of this partnership for India, for Caltech, and for science.

Einstein and Internationalism
Thursday, Nov 16 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
Internationalism in science and politics constituted one of Albert Einstein's major concerns. He was an early supporter of the League of Nations. His views on this subject distinguished him from most of his nationalistic colleagues in the academic world. Presented by Dr. Diana K. Buchwald, Professor of History, Director and General Editor of Einstein Papers Project.

Clean Water for Nepal - Updates from the Field
Friday, Nov 17 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Avery Library
Members of Caltech's Engineers Without Borders (EWB) traveled to Nepal to design a desperately-needed water filtration system for a village. Presented by undergraduate students Katherine Guo, Anushka Rau, and EWB mentor Dr. Gordon Treweek.

From Chile to Chilly: A Student's Journey to Antarctica
Monday, Nov 14 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
The waters surrounding Antarctica play a crucial role in global climate change. Join graduate student Zachary Erickson on his journey across Drake Passage, home to the roughest, most dangerous waters in the world, and into the surprisingly politically turbulent waters of the international Antarctic Treaty System.

International Elections and Voting
Tuesday, Nov 15 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Professor Michael Alvarez takes us on a journey across political and geographical lines to understand voting behaviors and elections around the globe. From voter confidence in Latin America to post-election forensic tools in Eastern Europe to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Dr. Alvarez leaves no chad hanging.

Global Passions Pursued
Wednesday, Nov 16 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Did you know? Caltech offers opportunities for students to travel the world for research, advocacy, personal growth, and adventure. Join Kit Chinetti, Eric Moseley, and Phillip An as they tell tales from Astronomy's GROWTH summer research project in the United Kingdom, the SURF Exchange Program in Iceland, and the Caltech Y's ACT Award to Ghana and Kenya.

STEMulating the Future Generation of Scientists in Mexico
Thursday, Nov 17 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Caltech graduate students lead STEM workshops for high school and college students in Mexico through Clubes de Ciencia Mexico, a non-profit focused on expanding access for Mexican youth to high quality STEM education. An international network of mentors links prominent young scientists with students interested in STEM fields. Presented by David Angeles Albores, Heather Curtis, and Porfirio Quintero Cadena.

Changing the World, One Toilet at a Time
Friday, Nov 18 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Caltech's award-winning research team shares how they are helping solve an important sanitation problem in the developing world. They will talk about how their solar toilet project is growing to include field-testing in India, China, and South Africa. Hear the research and inspiration behind their success. Presented by graduate students Clement Cid and Cody Finke.

Clean Water for Nepal
Monday, Nov 16 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Members of Caltech's Engineers Without Borders traveled to Nepal to design a desperately-needed water filtration system for a village. Presented by undergraduate students Jihoon Lee, Nauman Javed, and Webster Guan.

How Did Europe Conquer the World?
Tuesday, Nov 17 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Dr. Philip Hoffman, Professor of Business Economics and History, shares research from his new book debunking traditional theories on why Europe was able to gain "historic global supremacy" (Princeton University Press).

Faults, Glaciers and Rainforests
Wednesday, Nov 18 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Explore New Zealand through the eyes of Caltech graduate students who participated in GPS field research to inspect the aftermath of a major earthquake, travel across the Alpine Fault, visit glaciers and rainforests, and dine on top of the highest mountain. Presented by Cheng Li and Hank Yu.

STEM Outreach in Mexico
Thursday, Nov 19 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Caltech graduate students designed and led STEM workshops for high school and college students throughout Mexico, in collaboration with Clubes de Ciencia Mexico, a non-profit focused on expanding access for Mexican youth to high quality STEM education. Presented by David Albores, Manuel Razo Mejia, and Porfirio Quintero Cadena.

Japan Internship Program
Friday, Nov 20 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
The Japan Internship Program pairs Caltech undergraduates with Japanese companies to collaborate on research projects and to experience business culture and daily life in Japan. Presented by Dryden Bouamalay, Eve Yuan, and Victor Han. Moderated by Dr. Barbara Green, Interim Dean of Students.

Geophysics in the Land of Fire and Ice
Monday, Nov 17 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Dr. Mark Simons, Professor of Geophysics, led students and faculty on a visit to Iceland – an extraordinary natural geophysical laboratory for studying tectonic plates, volcanic unrest, and glaciology. Dr. Simons will talk about the collaboration with the University of Iceland and the ongoing collapse at Bardabunga volcano that started erupting on August 16, 2014 – the first day of the Caltech field trip.

Traveling with Purpose
Tuesday, Nov 18 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Dr. Pamela Bjorkman, Professor of Biology, has been studying HIV in the lab at Caltech since 2005. In summer 2012, she visited India and spent time with HIV-positive women and others who are at risk. "This is the reason that I'm doing the HIV research," she says. "It's to actually do something that might make a difference."

Global Narratives
Wednesday, Nov 19 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Brian Brophy, Director of Theater Arts at Caltech (TACIT), introduces the idea behind a new Caltech course, Global Narratives, available in Winter 2015. The "global narrative" emphasizes the need for international exchange and intercultural engagement. Through HD video conferencing, the class will connect students in two parts of the world in real-time. With a focus on storytelling, performance, writing and analysis within a global framework, participants are encouraged to investigate their assumptions and convictions in regard to the world around them.

Global Climate Change
Thursday, Nov 20 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Jinqiang "JC" Chen, graduate student in Environmental Science and Engineering, addresses fundamental issues in climate change as one of the largest challenges facing our world today. Extreme weather threatens the world's food supplies, energy demands, water resources, and health. How will the world adapt and learn to mitigate negative effects of climate change?

Travel, Tourism, & Identity
Friday, Nov 21 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Dr. John Brewer examines travel, tourism, and identity in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, a time when the terms "tourism" and "tourist" first came into common use. What was the nature and purpose of tourism? How did tourists affect the identity and economy of the places they visited? How have relations between travelers and natives changed in a world increasingly characterized by high levels of mobility?

GirlPower In Thailand
Monday, Nov 11 | 12:00 -1:00 PM I Center for Student Services, 2nd Floor
Janani Mandayam Comar, undergraduate recipient of the Caltech Y Advocating Change Together (ACT) Award, discusses the impact of tutoring science and English at a shelter for girls in Thailand. Moderated by Portia Harris of the Center for Diversity.

Geological Enrichment Trip Across Greece
Tuesday, Nov 12 | 12:00 -1:00 PM | Avery Library
Caltech graduate students in GPS share photos and impressions from their 17-day trip to Greece that included joint excursions with students from France. Students traveled from Corinth and Athens to five of the Greek islands in the Mediterranean Sea to understand the unique geodynamic system of the Aegean region and the interplay between geophysical events and ancient Greek culture. Presented by Stephen Cox, Jason Price and Kirsten Siebach.

Remote Medical Analysis Research for Global Health|
Wednesday, Nov 13 | 12:00 -1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Caltech postdoc in Chemical Engineering shares DARPA-funded research for the development of portable medical diagnostic devices for use in remote locations by untrained users around the world. Presented by Or. Stefano Begolo.

Can A Game Teach The World's Children Quantum Mechanics?
Thursday, Nov 14 | 12:00 -1:00 PM | Avery Library
Dr. Spyridon Michalakis, Researcher and Manager of Outreach at Caltech's Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM), discusses his collaboration with Google and game­ maker Mojang in an effort to use Minecraft to promote science education.

India Cultural Trip
Friday, Nov 15 | 12:00 -1:00 PM I Center for Student Services, 2nd Floor
Caltech Y, in partnership with the Caltech SURF Program and IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN), led a 10-day trip to Ahmedabad, India. The program introduced Caltech undergraduates to Indian culture through a combination of academic lectures and field trips. Presented by Edward Fouad, Vansh Kumar, Auggie Nanz, and JD Co-Reyes.

Attracting the Best and Brightest from Around the World
Monday, Nov 12 | 12:00 ‐ 1:00 PM | Center for Student Services, 2nd Floor
Caltech undergraduate admissions brings in the best and brightest from around the world to our campus. Find out how. Presented by Jann Lacoss, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions with sophomore Demetris Drakos.

TB and HIV: A Global Health Emergency and What We Are Doing About It
Tuesday, Nov 13 | 12:00 ‐ 1:00 PM | Avery Library
Tuberculosis and HIV continue to be a health emergency worldwide. Caltech postdoctoral scholar in Biology, Dr. Alex Sigal studies why these diseases persist. Hear about Dr. Sigal's research and international collaborations in South Africa.

Geological Enrichment Trip Across Japan
Wednesday, Nov 14 | 12:00 ‐ 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Professor Paul Asimow shares photos and impressions from a 16‐day trip with 16 GPS students that included a joint excursion with Tohoku University students and faculty in the tsunami‐devastated area, with Kumamoto University students and faculty to two active volcanoes, and (in defiance of a major typhoon) to the mysterious and beautiful Yakushima Island.

Toilet Challenge Brings Hope to the Developing World
Thursday, Nov 15 | 12:00 ‐ 1:00 PM | Winnett Lounge
Caltech graduate student in Environmental Science and Engineering shares the research and inspiration behind the team's Gates Foundation award‐winning design to help solve an important sanitation problem in the developing world. Presented by Clement Cid.

Finding the Next Earthquake in the Himalayas
Friday, Nov 16 | 12:00 ‐ 1:00 PM | Center for Student Services, 2nd Floor
Caltech graduate student in Geophysics talks about his research treks through Nepal, in a unique cooperation with the Nepalese government. Caltech GPS researchers are working to understand earthquake mechanics and to help the Nepalese government plan for a major event in Nepal. Presented by Thomas Ader.