International Service-Learning: Lakota Nation, South Dakota

  United States

Brookings

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer 
Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Spring, Fall, Summer

Description: In the first week of the program, you will be on the campus of South Dakota State University at Brookings for an intense orientation in Lakota culture and to begin your academic work through classes, guest lectures and field trips. In the second week, you go on a van trip across the state with the American Indian program director as a guide, visiting Reservations and important historic, geographic, and cultural sites.

You will then go to your service assignment for 10 weeks, continuing your academic study through weekly correspondence with your professors. The program director makes a mid-term visit to each student and keeps in touch weekly by phone and/or email. Depending on the time of year you may be able to attend regional pow-wows or be introduced to other special aspects of the Lakota/Dakota heritage.

In the final week of the term, students return to the Brookings campus to review their final academic assignments, make a major presentation on their learning, and hear those of their fellow service-learning students.

Note that U.S. students participating in the Lakota Nation program may be eligible for membership in AmeriCorps, the national program for domestic community service. AmeriCorps members receive education awards in the form of vouchers, which can be applied to previous or future education loans or tuition.

* Academic Study

The program is based at South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, South Dakota, a state land-grant university committed to the issues and concerns of American Indians. You may earn 15 credits per semester.

The academic work is conducted through lectures, readings, discussions, written assignments, and your study of the disciplines, and draws on your experience of living and serving among the Lakota/Dakota peoples. You reflect upon your academic work and service experience through weekly correspondence with your instructors, written assignments including discussions in formal seminars, and a final presentation. Your coursework is evaluated by the University faculty, and a transcript is issued by South Dakota State University upon successful completion of the program.

Interested students may be able to earn an additional 3 credits in Lakota or Dakota language study, depending on location of service placement and availability of classes at tribal colleges.

* Volunteer Service

You will serve 30-40 hours per week on a Lakota/Dakota reservation. (Note: Students participating in Americorps must serve 40 hours per week.) American Indians face many of the difficulties of other Americans, but have some especially acute issues on their reservations as they see their culture disappearing and experience a lack of support from U.S. leaders. Your volunteer service immerses you in the culture and deepens your understanding of the society in a way that goes beyond that experienced in classroom study of American Indian culture.

A few examples of service opportunities are:

- being a teachers aide at an Indian school or Reservation Head Start program
- working as an advocate at a domestic abuse shelter
- providing programming at an after-school club for at-risk teens
- assisting with community and economic development
- working at a tribal radio station
- aiding in tribal historic preservation.

Highlights: Spend a semester or year studying the history, culture, and issues of the Indians of the Great Plains, and living and serving on a Lakota/Dakota reservation.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: IPSL welcomes applicants from all nations and backgrounds. Language requirements for selected programs. Minimum age is 18. College students and graduates are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Inquire for more information.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: IPSL participants are typically undergraduate students who want to study and volunteer abroad. They generally take 3-4 academic courses (12-15 credits) and do community service (12-20 hours per week). Participants want an integrated experience where learning and service work together.

Age Range: 18-30+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Scholarships are Available. There are numerous non-IPSL scholarships and financial aide available that students may apply for.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership's Mission Statement: IPSL has two related missions: 1) offering programs uniting academic study and volunteer service to the community in international/intercultural settings that are models for the practice of service-learning, and 2) promoting the theory and practice of service-learning through research, publications, conferences, and training. IPSL endeavors to engage students, educators, and community members in the union of service and learning so that all may become more civically engaged, interculturally literate, internationally aware, and responsive to the needs of others.

Year Founded: 1982