The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Study Abroad Office and the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods have offered Iowa State University students the opportunity to improve food security and change the lives of people in the Kamuli District of Uganda for the past 14 years by participating in study abroad and service learning opportunities related to agroforestry, education, nutrition and health, animal science and post-harvest handling. This past spring break, 14 Iowa State University students participated in the week-long service learning trip that focused on working at primary schools and with local communities in the Kamuli District on agroforestry, refurbishing a tree nursery and establishing woodlots. Students also had the opportunity to visit the Queen Elizabeth National Park and visit the source of the Nile River.
Brianna Gorham, a junior in Agricultural Business at Iowa State University said, "The Service Learning in Uganda study abroad program was a life changing experience. In just ten short days, the people of Uganda taught me far more than I could ever teach them. Immersing myself into a culture much different than my own allowed me to meet and connect with so many amazing, caring individuals who showed me a new kind of wealth, one which revolves around being welcoming, grateful and cherishing relationships rather than physical possessions. I will certainly recommend the Uganda program to everyone I meet, it will change your entire outlook on life just as much as it changed mine."