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International Service Teams

International Service Teams are interdisciplinary teams of Kansas State University students who serve in communities around the world during the summer break. International Service Teams students work with international partners to plan and implement service projects during and eight to ten week stay in their international country. Over the past 21 years, International Service Teams has served in communities worldwide through the development of service-learning initiatives based on specific community identified needs, common projects focus on health, education, environmental and sustainability concerns and youth, orgnizational developmental issues. Service team members gain leadership experience and develop an appreciation for unique cultures and perspectives during their spring semester and summer of service.

"When we first arrived, we were able to connect with the kids by playing with them but after we learned more of the language and more about their life stories, we were able to form even closer relationships and a better understanding of their needs."
These deeper understandings of the community's needs prompted Jordan and her teammates to introduce the children in Jacunda, Brazil to the importance of a clean and healthy environment by cleaning up their neighborhood and educating them on pollution.

Application and Selection Process

International Service Teams accepts applications for the summer at the end of October each fall. Applications include a resume, a transcript, and two letters of recommendation. After applications are submitted, applicants will go through a two-round interview process. The first round is a group interview with other applicants, and the second round is an individual interview with student coordinators of the program. Applicants will be notified of whether or not they have been accepted into the program around mid-November.

Academic Credit

Participants will complete LEAD 502, a three credit hour course offered through the School of Leadership Studies curriculum. 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 provides students with a background in international service, cross-cultural communication, civic engagement and leadership skills and group interactions and processes. It also serves to logistically organize the international experiences. Applicants do not need to enroll in the course before official acceptance into the program. The course will be held on Thursdays 3:55-6:45 pm.

Although the course is designed as 3 credit hours, not all of these hours are completed in the classroom. Two hours per week are spent in a classroom setting consisting of assignments, discussions, and guest lectures. Another hour per week is spent meeting in student teams of 3-5 people. During this time the team will get to know each other while also learning the language and culture of their country by meeting with language and cultural partners from the K-State and Manhattan community.

"When I look at what encourages me to become socially involved, I first think of the passion I have for helping others...but if I were to look deeper than that I would have to say that I think that everybody has a responsibility and I believe one of mine to be to give back."

Logan and his teammates explored their passion for social involvement by developing a program for abandoned youth to become adjusted to a more balanced life, by teaching after-school art programs, and by simply giving their time playing with the children in Nyeri, Kenya.

Testimonials from Past Participants

"Noticing the impact my service has had on the lives of my students and families in Mexico has influenced me to continue a life of service.  For me, when it comes to service, giving is receiving."

~Nahshon Ruffin , 2010 Puebla, Mexico team member

"The kids taught me about what love should be.  They give it freely, and this kind of love is rare.  When you are accepted and loved just for being you it is impossible not to strive to be the best you can be, to be selfless and to focus on the lives of others."

~Rylee Bacon, 2010 Nyeri, Kenya team member

"Looking back on our summer in Mexico, we do know that we were able to make an impact on the community, but they made an even greater impact on us. We truly learned the significance of the learning aspect of service learning and gained an enormous amount of knowledge and wisdom from the people we were serving."

In this picture, the team stands together with their 'mamas' who were generous enough to share their homes (and wisdom) with these K-State students for the summer.

Past Projects

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

International Service Teams, a program within the School of Leadership Studies, has partnered with the Children and Youth Empowerment Center (CYEC) in Nyeri, Kenya to provide international service opportunities for K-State students. Help support CYEC in their efforts to raise funds and awareness through the Global Giving website.    

Contact Information

For more information, contact Kaitlin Long or Shawna Peters at 785-532-3671 or at intlteam@ksu.edu.