At the School of Leadership Studies, our mission drives both our academics and our co-curricular programming. Join students outside the classroom to

International Service Teams

International Service Teams are interdisciplinary teams of Kansas State University students who are placed in countries during the summer break. The team works with the community to plan and implement service projects during their stay. Over the past 21 years, international service teams have served in communities worldwide by designing plans based on specific community needs including projects focused on health, education, environmental concerns and other developmental issues. Throughout the program team members gain leadership experience and develop an appreciation for unique cultures and perspectives. Applications for summer 2010 are due October 30, 2009.

Academic Credit

Participants will complete EDLST 502, a 3 credit hour course within the Leadership Studies Program. The course is only available to International Service Team members and is specifically designed to prepare students for a summer of service abroad. Using a service-learning model, the International Service Teams course is designed to provide students a background in international volunteering, cross-cultural service, and group interaction as well as logistically organize their international experiences. Applicants do not need to enroll in the course before official acceptance into the program.

Although the course is designed in 3 credit hours, not all of these hours are completed in the classroom. One hour per week is spent in a typical classroom setting consisting of assignments, frequent discussion, and guest lectures. Another hour per week is spent meeting with only your team of 3-5 other students during which the team will get to know one another and work through trip details. The final hour per week is spent developing language skills specific to your site by meeting with a language partner, typically a native speaker.

Past Projects

Follow the links below for photos, project descriptions, and student testimonials of past projects.

Testimonials from Past Participants

"The trip itself has changed me, not just how I view the world, but how I view everything. I have no regrets."

~Jack Holtzen, 2008 Botswana, Africa team member

"I learned about myself, another country, people, ways of life and challenged my views of the world . It made my future plans a little clearer."

~Summer Lewis, 2004 Antigua, Guatemala team member

"[The International Teams] are an amazing experience where cultures combine, cross, learn from each other and forge friendships."

~Josey Heller, 2004 Izamal, Mexico team member

Application and Selection Process

To apply, complete the application and return to Civic Leadership located in the Foundation Center at 2323 Anderson Ave, Ste 125. Applicants must also provide two references. Feel free to use the International Service Team Reference Form to focus your reference letters. After reviewing written applications, the CSP staff will select students for interviews. Final selections will be made according to the following criteria:

• Adaptability, creativity in problem-solving, flexibility, team skills, maturity, and sociability.
• Demonstrated desire to enhance communities through development and service
• Language proficiency (for students to be places in Latin American sites)

Applications are due October 30th.

Contact Information

For more information, contact Deanna Coughlin or Jamie Schendt at 785-532-5701 or at intlteam@ksu.edu.