Iowa International Center

Founded in 1938, the Iowa International Center began by welcoming and providing safety for refugees fleeing Germany and Poland. For almost 75 years, the Iowa International Center has been providing personal and professional opportunities linking Iowans with peoples from around the world.

Over time, the name of the organization, its staff, volunteers and locations have experienced changes even as its essential goal – connecting people and changing lives– has remained unchanged. The legacy of Elinor Robson, the founder and first Director of the Center, lives on through the Robson award, the highest award bestowed by our organization.

With nearly 75 years of experience the Iowa International Center is uniquely positioned and equipped to provide effective and efficient access to international resources in four distinct areas:

• Provides an extensiveinterpretation and translation servicethrough an ever increasing number of languages, more than 49 languages and over 100 interpreters.
• Works with the U.S. Department of State, USAID and the Center’s own Sehgal Family Foundation Center for International Visitors to facilitatevisits from hundreds of international leaderswhose exchanges build personal and lasting connections between Iowans and professionals from around the world.
• Partners with Pioneer Hi-Bred, Drake University, the Stanley Foundation and others to offermonthly public forumsby leading experts and engages youth inglobal leadership conferences.
• Leads in providing resources to immigrants and refugees through development of the multi-lingual“Welcome to Iowa” Guide, acomprehensive resource website, andemergency interpretation services.

The focus of the Iowa International Center is to provide access to international resources to Iowans, new Iowans, and international visitors to Iowa. The overarching impact provides economic and leadership development resulting in Iowa being a more inclusive and welcoming place to live, work and raise a family.