When he arrived in Tucson for the first time, Ryan had big plans for his future. From an early age, he intuitively understood that opportunities are created through networking. As a self-proclaimed introvert, he also knew that he would have to leave his comfort zone, take chances, and push his own boundaries in order to create the life he wanted. Ryan combined his goals into an ambitious plan to do something that even the most outgoing personality might find challenging: to have fifteen conversations with fifteen different people every day. 

He dreamed of becoming a student-athlete in the United States, where the NCAA system would provide him with the chance to work with world-class athletes and coaches while he pursued both athletics and engineering. “I was 18 when I got here,” he said. “I knew nobody. I just took my suitcase to the States.”  Eventually, fate brought Almarhoun to Tucson, and he fell in love with the University of Arizona campus. He loved the weather, the cost of living, and how easy it was to get around. He transferred to UArizona in 2016 and soon bonded with his track teammates and fellow engineering students. 

In their endeavor to offer globally relevant world-class programs across a broad spectrum of disciplines, Amrita University and the University of Arizona are embarking on a multidisciplinary partnership in education and research. A major goal of the partnership will be to engage in translational research to develop solutions for global sustainability and humanitarian challenges. The key focus areas will include all Engineering disciplines, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Molecular Medicine, Social Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Pharmacy, Global Media Studies, Agriculture, and Sustainable Development.

At a reception on Friday, November 20, 2019, two University of Arizona faculty members and one undergraduate student received this year's University of Arizona Global Excellence Awards.  Read their remarks and find out why one winner "hopes the ceremony inspires an appreciation to spread Global Awareness and promote Global Education within your own communities."

On the final day of International Education Week 2019, International Student Services (ISS) hosted the eighth installment of their annual talent show, Global Wildcats Got Talent (GWGT8). This year, ISS partnered with The University of Arizona School of Dance to put on GWGT8 at the beautiful Stevie Eller Dance Theatre. An audience of over 200 attendees enjoyed twelve captivating performances, showcasing the diversity of talent on the UArizona campus.

University of Arizona College of Nursing Professor Marylyn Morris McEwen, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been named Arizona Nursing Associate Dean for Global Nursing. The newly created leadership position enables UArizona Nursing to support the UArizona strategic plan’s fourth pillar, Arizona Global, which redefines the international university experience by engaging with communities globally. The Global team will supply the connections and Dr. McEwen will forge the bonds that lead to UArizona Nursing Microcampuses worldwide.

Each year, the University of Arizona Center for English as a Second Language and Arizona Global invite members of the greater Southern Arizona community to nominate individuals for the Global Excellence Awards. Winners will receive their awards on Friday, November 22, at a Global Excellence Reception, from 4:30 - 6:30 PM in the Stevie Eller Dance Building. This year’s winners are three individuals who friends and colleagues have nominated because they embody the spirit of service and commitment to international education. 

International Education Week (IEW), an annual celebration of international education and global exchange, takes place at the University of Arizona from November 18 through 22. Many IEW activities are taking place across campus, including the Global Wildcats Got Talent show, and a Go Global Expo (with a chance for a student to win $1500 towards study abroad airfare)!

In August, the University of Arizona welcomed five Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants from all over the world. The Fulbright FLTA program allows educators from different countries to come to the U.S. and participate in teaching assistantships at universities around the country. This allows them to teach Americans about their culture and language while having the chance to learn about U.S. culture. The UA FLTAs will be here for the 2019-2020 school year.

The Global Wildcat family is saddened to share that Aiman Sabbagh, a graduate of the University of Arizona School of Architecture, died on October 11 while trying to protect his home from the approaching Saddleridge Fire as it raged through his Porter Ranch community in Southern California.