University of Wisconsin–Madison
The Wisconsin International Scholars (WISc) Program is an undergraduate honors enrichment program that students enroll in before they begin their freshman year at UW–Madison. The program supports students from all majors who wish to add an international dimension to their studies. International Scholars commit to a common core of course work, participate in internationally-minded meetings and events, …
Story updated in March 2026. Varawut Silpa-archa was born with great expectations. The son of Thailand Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa, he grew up in a world of leadership and politics. Both his mother and father saw great things for Varawut, with his mother even nicknaming him “Top” as a young boy, because she wanted him …
Congratulations to all Badgers who are graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison! There are many outstanding Badgers who will be receiving degrees, each with their own unique stories and accomplishments. I would like to highlight two of our international students who have blazed their own trails during their time at the university. Jiayi “Joy” Chen …
From the age of three, Nelson Institute environment and resources PhD student Gabi Fleury wanted to travel to Africa and be a conservationist. Fleury, who uses they/them pronouns, has a passion for human-wildlife conflict mitigation that’s evident in everything they do. From finding ways for humans and carnivores to coexist across the globe to designing a predator …
Ph.D. student Siddharth Raj Gupta (Sid) grew up in Rampur, India. From a young age, Sid was extremely driven and dedicated to working hard to achieve his goals. This drive continued into his adult years, fueling his desire to excel in his academics while also helping others succeed. Research has been central to Sid’s academic …
The transition to college is filled with uncertainty and excitement. Students navigate their new environment, while simultaneously creating a foundation for their future. It’s a stressful process for many individuals involving moving to a new city, making new friends, and balancing schoolwork. For some, the journey requires an extra step–moving across the world. Undergraduate business …
As it celebrates its 35th anniversary on campus, the Asian American Studies Program rediscovers its own rich history. Last fall’s wildly successful Sifting & Reckoning exhibit resonated with most individuals who visited the Chazen Museum of Art to immerse themselves in it. Tucked among the difficult tales of prejudice and racism that mark UW–Madison’s history, there was …
Frances Vavrus has been named vice provost and dean of the International Division at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She joined the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2008 and is a professor and associate chair in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development in their College of Education and Human Development. Vavrus has served …
This past month afforded the opportunity the International Division, together with other UW–Madison colleagues, to explore new international engagements for the university while reinvigorating existing connections. As part of a small delegation of UW–Madison staff, I was able to connect with alumni and partners in both Taiwan and Thailand. In Taiwan, I explored internship opportunities …
Debug with a Cout, a team of extraordinary students from the computer sciences department, placed first in the regional round of the 2023 International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC). Undergraduates Joseph Cai and Boying Li, as well as graduate Ivan Hu collaborated to execute the challenges in a timely fashion. This is the fourth year in a …