2025 Events

UNESCO Story Circles Session

Story Circles are a powerful tool for developing intercultural competencies. URI students are welcome to join an interactive session to engage in meaningful cross-cultural conversations and practice intercultural skills through this methodology. Participants are required to commit to staying for the full session experience. For an overview of UNESCO Story Circles watch this short video.

Cultural Fest

A campus-wide celebration of culture, connection, and community. Experience the rich diversity of URI through music, dance, and interactive activities.

Global Citizenship in Action: A Virtual Education Symposium

Hosted by the Feinstein College of Education at the University of Rhode Island in collaboration with Technische Universität Braunschweig, this inaugural symposium invites educators, researchers, and students from URI and across the globe to explore the transformative power of global education.

CyberFestival

The TU Braunschweig Media Lab and URI Library Innovation Labs are planning CyberFestival, a joint virtual event between URI and TU Braunschweig in Germany, hosted on a custom-built online platform. The festival celebrates collaboration, cultural exchange, and skill development, giving students the chance to showcase their work, build global connections, and enhance their professional portfolios.

Global Environmental Communication: Using the Campus as a Living Laboratory for Sustainability Problem-Solving

Living Lab projects emphasize experiential learning and campus sustainability through the integration of research and campus operations. By engaging students in living labs, campuses make themselves more sustainable while contributing to knowledge and research needed to make an impact beyond their borders. Student teams will present model Living Labs they have identified and discuss how these models can help the University of Rhode Island grow their Sustainability Efforts. Professor Mundorf will introduce the teams and illustrate some international models.

Target Audience: URI Campus Community
Presented by: Norbert Mundorf, Communication Studies; Paul Wolff, URI Campus Sustainability Officer; Students enrolled in COM 460, Environmental Communication: Local & Global
Sponsored by: Harrington School of Communication and Media; URI Office of Sustainability

Drop-In Study Abroad Advising for College of the Environment & Life Sciences Students

Stop by and learn about study away opportunities for students in the College of the Environment & Life Sciences.

Target Audience: URI Students – CELS Majors
Presented by: Jamie Loredo McCutcheon, Education Abroad Advisor, Office of International Education
Sponsored by: Office of International Education

Supporting a Healthy and Safe Journey: URI’s International Travel Insurance Coverage

All travelers approved to participate in university business, research, or academic activities are enrolled in URI’s CISI International Travel Insurance policy. Come learn of the pre-trip planning resources, 24/7 travel assistance and comprehensive policy coverages and services in place to support a healthy and safe global journey.

Target Audience: URI Campus Community
Presented by: Ted Cenatiempo, Senior Account Executive, Cultural Insurance Services International; Tom Hospod, URI Global Initiatives
Sponsored by: URI Global Initiatives

Study Abroad Information Session

There are many benefits to studying abroad or away. This is your first step to learn about the benefits and explore international and national study opportunities! Once you attend this session you can begin meeting one-on-one with an education abroad advisor and fill out your application for a study away program. The session will explain the different types of study abroad/study away programs offered at URI, their basic financial structures, and a review of helpful tips to navigate our website to gain even more important information. You will also be able to ask questions.

Target Audience: URI Students
Presented by: Sophie Robison, Office of International Education
Sponsored by: Office of International Education

Beatrice S. Demers Foreign Language Fellowship – Crafting a Competitive Application

This fellowship, administered by the Rhode Island Foundation, funds foreign language immersion experiences for undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff from any field of study who are dedicated to pursuing foreign language proficiency. Fellows will be awarded up to $20,000. Join this workshop to learn strategies for writing a strong Demers application and leave with your first application outline ready to refine.

Target Audience: URI Students
Presented by: Keegan Scott, Director of Fellowships
Sponsored by: Office of Fellowships

Supporting International Students Through the Visa Process: A Guide for URI Staff and Faculty

Join the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) for an overview of the student visa process designed especially for staff and faculty. Learn about the student experience, OISS’s role in issuing immigration documents and advising incoming students, and how you can support international students in their journey to URI.

Target Audience: URI Faculty and Staff
Presented by: Melissa De Jesus, Director, Office of International Students & Scholars and Abigail Borchert, Senior International Student Services Advisor
Sponsored by: URI Office of International Students & Scholars

Gilman Scholarship Info Session: Expand Your World, Fund Your Journey

The Gilman A. Gilman International Scholarship helps U.S. undergraduates who are Pell eligible fund study abroad and internship opportunities around the world. Join this info session to learn about eligibility, application tips, and how Gilman can make global experiences more accessible.

Target Audience: URI Students
Presented by: Keegan Scott, Director of Fellowships
Sponsored by: Office of Fellowships and Office of International Education

Study Abroad Drop-in Advising

Stop by and learn more about study abroad opportunities for students offered by the University of Rhode Island.

Target Audience: URI Students
Presented by: Alyssa Poey, Senior Education Abroad Advisor, Office of International Education
Sponsored by: Office of International Education

URI Women’s Basketball vs. Holy Cross

Did you know that the URI Women’s Basketball team includes 8 international student athletes from 3 countries? Celebrate International Education Week and cheer on the Rams as they take on Holy Cross at the Ryan Center!

Study Abroad Information Session

Target Audience: URI Students
Presented by: Sophie Robison, Office of International Education
Sponsored by: Office of International Education

Rhody Abroad Programs Information

Come learn more about URI’s special Rhody Abroad Programs in Costa Rica, Ireland, South Korea and Spain! There are options over Summer, Winter J-Term, and Semester and in most cases have similar pricing to URI in-state tuition, room & board!

Target Audience: URI Campus Community
Presented by: Alyssa Poey, Senior Education Abroad Advisor, Office of International Education
Sponsored by: Office of International Education

Proposing a Faculty-led Program for 2027 and beyond

This virtual session is designed for faculty/staff who may be interested in designing a URI faculty-led program. A call for program proposals is anticipated in January 2026 for programs looking to run in January, Spring Break or Summer 2027. Attend to learn more!

Target Audience: URI Faculty and Staff
Presented by: Michelle Carrara, Director, Education Abroad & Student Mobility
Sponsored by: URI Office of International Education

Hiring International Students and Employment Authorizations

Can international students get Social Security numbers? Do they need special permission to work on campus? What kind of paperwork needs to be completed to hire an international student at URI? What role do URI faculty and staff members have in an international student’s application for off-campus employment authorization? Get the answers to these questions and more at this info session on international student employment presented by the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).

Target Audience: URI Faculty and Staff
Presented by: Melissa De Jesus, Director, Office of International Students & Scholars and Abigail Borchert, Senior International Student Services Advisor
Sponsored by: URI Office of International Students & Scholars

Towards a Global URI: It Takes a Village

The world is increasingly small and interconnected. To move forward, the university has to embrace it. Are we there yet? What should be done to make URI more global? And most importantly, what can you do to help us get there? Bring your ideas for a discussion that may help shape the future of URI.

Target Audience: URI Faculty and Staff
Presented by: Andre Kostousov, Director of International Admission and Recruitment
Hosted by: Global Initiatives, International Admission & Recruitment

So They Want to Study Abroad – Now What?

This session is designed to support the URI Academic Advising community in guiding students toward global learning opportunities. Help your advisees turn interest into action! As academic advisors, you’re often the first point of contact when students have questions about studying abroad. Join us as we explore how to collaborate effectively and empower students to access amazing international experiences.

Target Audience: URI Academic Advising Community, Faculty & Staff
Presented by: Michelle Carrara, Director, Education Abroad & Student Mobility
Sponsored by: URI Office of International Education

The Global Classroom – Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Information Session

Join this virtual session to learn about the key characteristics and benefits of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) for integrating global learning and intercultural skill building into on campus courses. An overview of the program will be presented, including the overall process, timelines, funding, and resources for establishing faculty partnerships.  During the session there will also be time for Q&A. 

Target Audience: URI Faculty
Presented by: Tom Hospod, Global Initiatives
Hosted by: Global Initiatives