Notre Dame Global in Photos: February 2025 | News | Notre Dame Rome

Dissertation research fellows in Rome explored historic sites in Tivoli, while Notre Dame's Greater China Scholars celebrated the Lantern Festival under the Dome. Students were immersed in rural Chilean culture as they traveled to Lemuy Island in southern Chile. Vice President & Associate Provost for Internationalization Michael Pippenger signed agreements with partner universities in Brazil and Mexico to foster future research collaboration and workforce development. In London, Rupert Goold delivered the annual Shakespeare Lecture, while faculty and staff convened in Dublin to strengthen immersion learning programs. Notre Dame’s presence in Jerusalem, Hong Kong, Kylemore, and Mumbai fostered connections through alumni gatherings, exhibitions, and diplomatic engagements.

This photo gallery highlights some of the valuable interactions and experiences Notre Dame faculty, staff, and students have taken part in over the past month.

The selection was curated by Notre Dame Global staff working on campus and in the University's 12 global locations.

Rome

Eight Notre Dame students pose for a photo on the steps of a narrow, cobblestone street in Italy, flanked by weathered stone buildings with wooden shutters. Lush green foliage spills from a planter beside the group.

Notre Dame Rome dissertation research fellows, accompanied by Professor Ingrid Rowland, traveled to Tivoli for their cohort field trip. Their visit included the Santuario di Ercole Vincitore, one of the largest Italian sanctuaries dedicated to Hercules, and Villa d’Este, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its spectacular fountains—a fantastic opportunity to connect, share research, and experience history just outside of Rome.

Santiago

Several students stand waist-deep in calm water under a cloudy sky. Two students give piggyback rides to fellow students wearing Notre Dame shirts. In the background, other students stand and socialize.

As part of the pre-program, designed by the Notre Dame Santiago team each semester, students spent three weeks on Lemuy Island in the Chiloé Archipelago in southern Chile. The pre-program provides a unique glimpse into rural Chilean culture and is an essential component of the Santiago study abroad experience.

International Student & Scholar Affairs

A low-angle view of students gathered on two circular balconies inside a grand, ornate building. The students on the lower balcony hold strands of red paper lanterns, a traditional symbol of good luck.

The Greater China Scholars and Notre Dame community celebrate the Lantern Festival together under the Dome. The festival marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebration each year and symbolizes unity, good fortune, and the start of spring.

Mexico

Eight individuals stand behind a long wooden table on an outdoor patio at night, holding documents. String lights illuminate the space, and a partially visible building is in the background.

With the Mexican Ministry of Public Education as a symbolic backdrop, Vice President & Associate Provost for Internationalization Michael Pippenger signed an exchange agreement with the presidents of five polytechnic and technological public institutions in Querétaro — a shared commitment to develop the skills needed to create a competitive workforce within several industries in Mexico. Querétaro is home to one of the largest aeronautical clusters in Latin America and will soon become the largest Amazon, Google, and Microsoft data center in the region.

London

A person stands at a wooden podium with the University of Notre Dame seal, gesturing with their right hand while speaking. They wear a dark button-down shirt. A window with blinds is to the left of the podium, and a navy tablecloth with two empty glasses and a bottle of water sits in front of it.

The 14th Annual Notre Dame London Shakespeare Lecture ‘Shakespeare’s scenes—the good, the bad and the ugly’ was delivered in late February by Rupert Goold (CBE). Notre Dame London’s yearly Shakespeare Lecture is designed as an opportunity to welcome theatre practitioners and scholars of world renown, whose work shapes Shakespeare as it is produced and studied today. Goold is one such practitioner; he is well-known for his work as Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre and two-time Olivier award-winning director of such stage productions as Spring Awakening, Cold War, Macbeth, Ink, Richard III, and Dear England, as well as the films Judy (2019) and True Story (2015).

Dublin

Four individuals sit around a table with laptops and light blue mugs. A partially eaten banana rests on the table. Behind them, a banner displays an aerial photo of the University of Notre Dame campus, highlighting the Golden Dome.

Faculty and staff from Notre Dame, Dublin City, Galway, Edinburgh, Clemson, Louisville, and Youngstown State gathered at Notre Dame Dublin to establish a community of practice for researchers and program managers in the immersion learning space.

Jerusalem

Group portrait of eight individuals standing in front of a stone building. They are dressed in professional attire, with one woman wearing a vibrant fuchsia coat. The backdrop suggests a formal setting, possibly academic or institutional, with trees and shrubs visible.

Notre Dame Jerusalem hosted esteemed representatives from the French Consulate including Mr. Frédéric Mondoloni, Political Director of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Nicolas Kassianides, Consul General of France; Mrs. Claire Jounet, Press Officer at the French Consulate General in Jerusalem; and Mr. Romain Le Floch, Advisor to the Political Director.

São Paulo

Accompanied by Notre Dame São Paulo Director Thais Burmeister de Campos Pires, Vice President & Associate Provost for Internationalization Michael Pippenger met with the president of Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) to discuss oppportunities for research collaboration. Pippenger then signed an MOU with the intent to deepen the existing partnership between the two universities. Pippenger and Pires also visited the International Office at University of São Paulo, met with the Brazil Alumni Club's current and past presidents, and spent time with study abroad student Makena Mwathi during the visit.

Hong Kong

Catherine Leung, director of Notre Dame Hong Kong gathered ND alumni to celebrate Lunar New Year. The group hiked 6 kilometers from Hong Kong University to the peak, taking in stunning views of the city from Lung Fu Shan Country Park.

Kylemore

Two women in habits, one wearing a Notre Dame jacket, look at a smartphone while holding glasses of red wine. Behind them, two surreal paintings hang on a gray wall. One painting depicts a pink figure smoking, and the other shows a blue nightscape with strange flora.

Showcasing pieces from artists in residence at Notre Dame Kylemore, the IMBOLC exhibition in Fordham Ballroom was the main highlight of a very busy month. The Winter Arts Residency at Kylemore is for MFA graduates from Notre Dame, the New York Academy of Art, and the Royal Hibernian Academy (Dublin), and provides selected artists with room, board, and studio space.

Mumbai

A group of ten individuals pose for a photo in a semi-outdoor setting. They stand on a dark tiled floor beneath a wooden pergola with large, copper-toned pendant lights. The background reveals glimpses of trees and building windows. The group is diverse in dress, representing a range of styles from casual to more formal attire.

Notre Dame Mumbai and the ND Club of India hosted a dinner in Bangalore, bringing together alumni and parents for a night of connections, memories, and discussions about Notre Dame’s latest developments. It was a lively evening filled with Irish spirit and camaraderie.

Global Engagement Programs

Four Notre Dame students gather around a small pink and white frosted cake with pink and red candles. A pink gift bag with gold stars sits on the table next to the cake. Two students give the peace sign.

A group of visiting international students gathered to celebrate a fellow student’s birthday. Birthday girl Joy Abigael Katemi, visiting from Strathmore University in Kenya, reflected, “The friendships I'm making [at Notre Dame] are friends I'll forever remember. Of that I am certain.”

Originally published by Cory Hankins at global.nd.edu on March 11, 2025.