The Intercultural Programs and Initiatives (IPI) team helps international students and scholars prepare for and navigate life at The University of Texas at Austin, build community, and make the most of their time in Austin.
The IPI team offers a wide range of programs and services designed to help international Longhorns feel welcomed, connected, and supported. These include orientation and pre-arrival programming, social events, co-curricular programs on topics such as career exploration and financial literacy, and webinars on practical matters such as U.S. taxes.
Get to know the people behind these programs and learn more about what inspires them to support the international community at UT Austin.
Sarah Chiu, Program Coordinator
Sarah Chiu was born and raised in the North Austin suburbs and is excited to be part of The University of Texas at Austin—the school she grew up watching and cheering for. Joining the Intercultural Programs and Initiatives team has been a meaningful opportunity to give back to the University and Austin community.
Sarah’s 10-week study abroad experience in France and Italy sparked her passion for international education and inspired her to join the IPI team at UT Austin. She now helps create connections that make a new place feel welcoming. You can meet her at various programs she coordinates, including the Friendship Program, Global Living Learning Community, ISSS Social Hours, and Language Circles.
Sarah’s favorite Austin spot is the 360 Overlook, where visitors can take in views of the Austin skyline, the lake, and the 360 Bridge. She encourages international students to get involved in Austin culture and find their own niche, whether that means exploring farmers markets, running and biking trails, technology, or sports.
“Austin truly has a place for everyone!”
For Sarah, one of the most rewarding parts of her role is welcoming students to UT Austin and introducing them to the city she loves.
“Getting to introduce our international population to the city I love while making them know that their presence here is important is truly the most rewarding part of my job!”
Jack Taylor, Customer Service Coordinator
As the manager of the Texas Global front desk, Jack Taylor is one of the first people international students and scholars meet when they visit Texas Global. He brings nearly two decades of customer service experience and has been part of Texas Global for seven years, first in Passport Services and the English Language Center and now as a Customer Service Coordinator with Intercultural Programs and Initiatives.
Originally from northeast Louisiana, Jack earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Texas State University. He has studied Spanish, French, and Korean and enjoys learning new words and phrases in other languages. His interest in international education comes from a lifelong curiosity about different cultures, languages, and history.
“I have always loved learning about different cultures, languages, and history. I see my work with international students as a continuation of something that I have always been drawn to.”
When students have questions, Jack encourages them to start with the Texas Global website and reach out directly when they need help. He notes that communication expectations can vary across cultures and encourages students to be clear about what they need.
“Some cultures in the world kind of hint at what they want when someone needs something. Here in the U.S., that often goes right over our heads. So, I tell new international students they may need to be more direct with Americans when they need something than they’re used to. I ask them to tell us plainly. Say what you want. I assure them that as long as they ask politely, we will not be offended.”
For Jack, one of the most rewarding parts of his role is helping students and scholars feel supported, especially on a difficult day. He strives to meet each person with empathy and kindness.
“I love turning a student’s or scholar’s day around.”
Kristin Garrison-Baker, Administrative Associate
As the IPI administrative associate, Kristin Garrison-Baker supports the team behind the scenes with budgetary and logistical issues. Kristin earned her master’s degree in art education from UT Austin in 2020.
When she is not working at ISSS, Kristin can be found reading or searching for the best thrift stores around Austin.
One of her favorite spots on campus is the Fine Arts Library, where she especially enjoys the large windows on sunny days.
For students adjusting to life in Austin, Kristin recommends utilizing the city’s public transportation. With so much happening around Austin, including festivals, concerts, and farmers markets, taking the bus can be an easy and affordable way to explore the city without having to drive or park.
Her own experience studying abroad in the Netherlands gives her a personal connection to the challenges international students may encounter when navigating a new country and university.
“While I may not be able to solve every problem, I love when I can help a student navigate a complicated UT system since it’s what I needed when I was a student.”
Emily Spurgeon, Senior Outreach Program Coordinator
Emily Spurgeon recently joined the IPI team but has been part of Texas Global since 2010, teaching in the English Language Center and coordinating the SABIC Foundation Year Program. In her new role, Emily helps plan orientation and outreach that connect international students with people, programs, and resources at UT Austin.
Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and Africana studies from Tulane University and a master’s degree in TESOL from Hunter College. Before joining Texas Global, she worked in fundraising at a New York City public television station and taught English to international students at New York University, Hunter College, and several nonprofit organizations.
Students can often find Emily at ISSS events, where she loves meeting and getting to know students from around the world. She encourages international students to practice making small talk with people they encounter throughout their daily lives, whether that is a neighbor, classmate, or Uber driver.
“People in Austin are friendly and happy to engage. It might seem awkward at first, but it is a great way to feel connected and to develop your communication skills and your confidence.”
Emily also encourages students to attend ISSS events and take advantage of resources such as the University Writing Center, which offers individual consultations and writing groups for different types of students and writing projects.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to spend my days interacting with people from all over the world. I am constantly learning from our students and scholars!”
Chiho Sawada, Assistant Director of Intercultural Programs and Initiatives, and Team Lead
As team lead for Intercultural Programs and Initiatives, Chiho Sawada draws on his own background as an educator to guide the IPI team’s work. He was previously a professor of history and politics, teaching students from around the world. He has long valued the perspectives international students and scholars bring to the University and what people can learn when different experiences, cultures, and ways of thinking come together. He holds graduate degrees in East Asian studies from Harvard University and a B.A. in economics from the University of California San Diego.
Outside of work, Chiho enjoys exploring Texas state parks and birdwatching along the Gulf Coast and in the Rio Grande Valley.
For Chiho, one of the most rewarding parts of his role is seeing students and scholars begin to feel that UT Austin and Austin itself are places where they belong.
“I love how our team creates opportunities for people to form friendships, discover useful resources, and learn from perspectives they might not otherwise encounter. Those connections are what make a large university feel like a community.”
This semester, Chiho is especially excited about the IPI team’s wellness programs, which invite international students and scholars to share a meal while exploring important dimensions of well-being, from physical and emotional wellness to financial health. Presented in collaboration with campus and community partners such as the Counseling and Mental Health Center, Recreational Sports, and University Federal Credit Union, these programs promote well-being as an important foundation for academic success.
Chiho offers the following advice to new Longhorns:
“Give yourself time, stay curious and don’t feel that you have to figure everything out at once. Attend an event, introduce yourself to someone new, and ask questions when something is unfamiliar. Cultural adjustment is rarely a straight line, so it’s important to be patient with yourself—and to remember that ISSS and the wider UT community are here to help.”
Connecting International Longhorns to Community
Whether students are attending their first orientation event, looking for a way to meet new people, exploring Austin, or seeking support as they adjust to life in a new country, International Longhorns do not have to navigate that process alone. The IPI team is here to help students and scholars build the knowledge, confidence, and relationships that make Austin feel like home.
This blog post was contributed by Sarah Chiu, program coordinator on the Intercultural Programs and Initiatives team at ISSS.
