Students to experience "Life in Iowa"

"Life in Iowa" will take on new meaning for Iowa State University students next year, thanks to a service-learning program coordinated by ISU Extension and the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Programs.

According to Stan Johnson, ISU Extension vice provost, Life in Iowa will be organized and financed somewhat like a study abroad program, except ISU students will remain in Iowa, spending a semester working in a community and taking classes and living at a partnering private college or university.

Ten projects are being negotiated, involving most of ISU's colleges. Extension staff, local coordinators for the program, are helping identify service/experiential-learning opportunities that fit the learning objectives of participating ISU departments and degree programs. Approximately 50 students will be involved.

"People learn by doing," Johnson said. Participating students also will gain life skills that are valuable to future employers. In the fall semester, students and participating ISU faculty will research their projects and visit the communities and private colleges or universities. In spring students will begin service-learning experiences that could involve anything from working with youth, to working on local political issues, to inventorying wetlands, Johnson said. 

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...and justice for all. The Iowa Cooperative Extension Service's programs and policies are consistent with pertinent federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, and disability.

• Visit the ISU Extension homepage
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Stanley R. Johnson, Vice Provost for ISU Extension, vpforext@exnet.iastate.edu

Mark Settle, Managing Editor, msettle@iastate.edu

• Questions or comments about this site? Contact Laura Sternweis, Editor, lsternwe@iastate.edu
• Last update: June 20, 2000