Spring Energy in Full Bloom: ICEP Students Gather to Connect, Celebrate, and Kick Off an Exciting Semester Ahead
Although it may still be cold outside, spring energy was in full bloom inside Everett Lounge as students and faculty from the International & Comparative Education community came together for the ICEP Spring Party at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Over lunch and lively conversation, members of the International & Comparative Education Program gathered to reconnect in person, welcome new faces, and take a well-deserved pause from busy schedules filled with coursework, research, and fieldwork planning. The afternoon offered a chance to catch up with classmates, meet professors outside the classroom, and spark new connections across cohorts, a reminder that ICEP is not just a program, but a community.
The Spring Party also marked the start of an exciting stretch of opportunities designed to help students stay engaged, supported, and inspired throughout the semester!
🌱 Ways to Get Involved This Spring
There’s no shortage of ways to plug into the ICEP community over the coming weeks:
☕ ICEP Coffee Chat with the Program Director & Peer Advisors
Wednesday, February 11 | 1:00–2:00 pm | GDH 543
Join us for a relaxed community gathering centered on The ICEP Playbook: Thriving in the Program and Making the Most of Our Resources. This is a chance to ask questions, share ideas, and learn how to navigate ICEP resources and opportunities. Whether you’re new to the program or further along, stop by, grab a coffee, and connect with fellow students and program leadership.
📚 Dedicated ICEP Study Spaces (Spring 2026)
ICEP has reserved weekly classrooms in Grace Dodge Hall where students can gather to study, collaborate, work on assignments, or simply enjoy focused time together during the busiest part of the semester:
- Wednesdays | 1:00–2:30 pm | GDH 543
- Thursdays | 3:00–4:30 pm | GDH 452
Having a shared space on campus makes it easier to connect, support one another, and stay productive as deadlines approach.
🌍 Campus Talks & Events
There’s always something happening across Teachers College, Columbia University. ICEP students are encouraged to regularly check the International & Comparative Education Program website and weekly Grace Dodge Hall Notes to stay up to date on upcoming talks, workshops, community gatherings, and program announcements — and to find new ways to connect with peers and the broader ICEP community.
✨ Share Your Story
ICEP is also highlighting the incredible work happening across our community. Students and faculty are encouraged to submit:
- Research projects
- Fieldwork experiences
- Awards and achievements
- Creative or practice-based work
Selected submissions may be featured on ICEP’s website and social media, helping showcase the diverse paths ICEP students are pursuing in New York and around the world. To contribute, send your stories, research, awards, or work to peeradvisors@tc.columbia.edu.
🎓 Funding & Service Opportunities
Spring also brings meaningful opportunities for professional growth and community engagement:
George W. Perkins Memorial Scholarship (Faculty-Nominated)
This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to ICEP and contribute to the collaborative spirit of the program. Eligible students may request nomination from a faculty advisor or collaborator.
Application deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026 (submit materials to iceinfo@tc.columbia.edu as a single PDF).
Carmela and Marie F. Volpe Fellowship for International Service in Education
Supporting ICEP students pursuing international internships or research with organizations serving marginalized youth.
Application deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026 (submit materials to iceinfo@tc.columbia.edu as a single PDF).
English After-School Tutoring (EAST) Volunteer Program
Interested in making a difference locally? ICEP students can apply to serve as volunteer tutors supporting newcomer middle school students from Latin American countries.
- When: Mondays, 2:20–3:35 pm
- Where: Public middle school on the Upper West Side (approximately 20 minutes from campus)
- How: Scan the program QR code or email ams2684@tc.columbia.edu for details.
Together, these initiatives reflect ICEP’s commitment to global engagement, equity, and community-centered education.
As the semester unfolds, ICEP continues to create spaces where learning meets connection and ideas turn into action. The Spring Party was just the beginning and we look forward to seeing students across campus at coffee chats, study sessions, events, and future gatherings.
Check out what’s coming up, bring a friend, and be part of the ICEP community this spring. 🌸
