Mansoor Sultan is a UK student from Iraq,  pursuing a master's degree in electrical engineering. Like many of the other 1,788 international students at UK from more than 117 countries, a daunting challenge for Sultan when he arrived in Lexington was his English proficiency — a challenge which the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) strives to help students overcome.

Susan Carvalho, associate provost for international programs at the University of Kentucky, and Ben Stow, international student and member of UK's golf team, were guests on yesterday's "UK at the Half," which aired during the UK vs. Duke game that was broadcast on radio.

"UK at the Half" airs during halftime of each UK football and basketball game broadcast on radio and is hosted by Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Marketing.

University of Kentucky students and faculty will travel to Shanghai in May to share Appalachian culture at the American Studies Center at Shanghai University.

The  American Studies Center, funded by a grant from The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, is one of 10 similar centers in China. In December 2011, UK signed a joint-venture agreement with Shanghai University to pioneer the center on the SU campus.

To anyone else, it may not have been a big deal. But for Rebeka Knight it was very serious.

When the 5-year-old noticed that the Ethiopian flag was missing from the outer walls of Bradley Hall on the University of Kentucky campus, she wanted to know why. See, Rebeka is a native of Ethiopia, adopted by UK College of Education faculty member Victoria Knight and her husband, Robert, and she was very proud that her native flag had been flying on campus. But her dad had no answer to explain its absence.

Approximately 1,640 students from more than 100 countries enroll as international students at the University of Kentucky each year. As assimilating into a new culture presents a challenge for many of them, the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) in the University of Kentucky International Center has a program to provide them with renowned Lexington hospitality.

Imagine having just a week to furnish a new apartment, set up a new phone service, fill out extensive and detailed paperwork, and register for classes, in a foreign country where you have never been before. This is the challenge international students have when they first arrive in Lexington from their homes countries.

Students come to UK from over 117 different countries including countries such as Oman, China, India, Saudia Arabia, and Nigeria.