Program Overview

Since 2008, the IWP has hosted Between the Lines (BTL), a two-week creative writing and cultural exchange program for students aged 15-18. Every summer, participants from all over the world come together in Iowa City to live as a community in university dorms, broaden their literary horizons, and deepen their empathy and their understanding of one another’s cultures.

Through honing their craft together and engaging in open-hearted discussions, a new community of young writers will connect the dots between their home cultures, sparking friendships throughout the U.S. and around the globe.  With award-winning U.S. and international faculty as their mentors, participants spend 2–4 hours a day in creative writing workshops, world literature seminars, literary readings and Q&As with visiting authors, plus social opportunities for cultural exchange, group and individual writing assignments outside of class, and more. All programming is conducted in English.

Between the Lines applications for both U.S. and International applicants will open in early 2025.

• If you are a U.S.-based student who would like to participate in BTL, click here to learn how.
• International students are nominated by their home country U.S. Embassies & Consulates. If you interested in learning more about the process, please click here to learn more. 

Follow Between the Lines on Instagram @btl_uiiwp and Facebook, and sign up for our email list to be in the loop about future opportunities.