Iowa State University

At Iowa State University, students don’t get just an average college experience. They get an adventure. After all, we offer students a challenging career-oriented academic setting paired with a welcoming campus environment. And above all else, we encourage our students to achieve – and we provide the support they need to do just that.

Iowa State University is one of the nation's most student-centered public research universities and is recognized among the top 50 public universities in the nation by U.S.News and World Report. With hundreds of student clubs and organizations, thousands of internship and co-op opportunities, and more than 80 learning communities, the university offers a student experience rich in academic and social diversity. Students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries choose to come to Ames, Iowa, to study with world-class scholars and hone their leadership skills.

Part of what makes Iowa State such a special place for our students to learn and grow is the uniqueness of the faculty and staff who work here. Our faculty and staff have established a leading-edge reputation among peers for innovative interdisciplinary academic programs, an ever-expanding learning community program, and entrepreneurial experiences for students.

Plus, Ames has been recognized as the second-best college town with a population under 250,000. And did we mention we’ve also been voted one of the top 10 best places to live in America? So it’s no wonder why our students love it here.

At Iowa State, students will find 100 majors, 800 clubs, and one amazing adventure.

Learn more: www.iastate.edu

student Stories

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student Profiles

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college News

News and announcements from Iowa State University

Iowa State students study historic preservation and planning in Stockholm

Fourteen Iowa State University students from a variety of majors traveled to Stockholm, Sweden, over spring break in March to work on a planning project involving the US Embassy and learn about its design, its role in the history of US diplomacy, its place in the Swedish capital's urban fabric and its future as the primary physical link between the governments of the US and Sweden. The project was part of the ISU/US Department of State Cultural Heritage Documentation project, a unique partnership between the ISU College of Design and the US Department of State Office of Cultural Heritage.

Study Abroad - Apr 17

Design Students Gain International Experience in Prague

An interdisciplinary team of 11 Interior Design students, 7 Architecture students, and 3 Landscape Architecture students, gained international perspectives in preservation practices during a trip to Prague, Czech Republic over spring break, March 9-17, 2018. In this studio, DSN S 546 Preservation & Cultural Heritage, students are learning state-of-the-art technologies to survey, document, and analyze elements of historic property. Assistant Professor Diane Al Shihabi (Interior Design), and Associate Professor Mikesch Muecke (Architecture) co-created the course, and led the travel.

Study Abroad - Mar 23

2017 Venice Art Biennale

A group of 38 ISU students in Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Integrated Studio Arts who are studying in Italy this semester with the College of Design Rome Program developed an installation for the 2017 Venice Art Biennale.

Study Abroad - 2017 Oct 27

Design Students travel to Panama

Interior Design Department Chair and Professor Lee Cagley, Morrill Professor Tom Leslie, Pickard Chilton Professor in Architecture, and Interior Design Graduate Assistant Nathan Thiese led a group of 18 design students on a study abroad experience to Panama, September 13-16, 2017.

Study Abroad - 2017 Oct 3

Iowa State University students gain a global perspective on agriculture and life sciences

Students saw agriculture and the life sciences first-hand in several European countries, Uganda, China and Taiwan through various study abroad programs this summer. The Ag Study Abroad Office offers students the chance to select a program based on their interest in the topic and the location. Through trips offered over breaks in the academic year, during the summer and semester-long exchanges or internships, students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have been on all seven continents studying agriculture and life sciences.

Study Abroad - 2017 Jul 19

Iowa State University students gain a global perspective on agriculture and life sciences

Students saw agriculture and the life sciences first-hand in New Zealand, Panama, and Antarctia through various study abroad programs over fall and winter breaks. The Ag Study Abroad Office offers students the chance to select a program based on their interest in the topic and the location. Through trips offered over breaks in the academic year, during the summer and semester-long exchanges or internships, students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have been on all seven continents studying agriculture and life sciences.

Study Abroad - 2017 Feb 10

Iowa State University students gain a global perspective on agriculture and life sciences

More than 120 students saw agriculture and the life sciences first-hand in countries around the world through various study abroad programs over the summer. The Ag Study Abroad Office offers students the chance to select a program based on their interest in the topic and the location. Through trips offered over breaks in the academic year, during the summer and semester-long exchanges or internships, students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have been on all seven continents studying agriculture and life sciences.

Study Abroad - 2016 Oct 3

Iowa State University students learn about food production in China

Iowa State University students spent two and a half weeks learning about food production and processing in a study abroad experience to China. As they visited four major cities/regions, the students saw various production systems of traditional Chinese food and medicine as well as the research facilities at the country's major agricultural institutions. This is one of the many programs through the Agriculture Study Abroad Office, who has sent students to all seven continents.

Study Abroad - 2015 Aug 17

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Iowa State University students study the culinary world in Spain

Iowa State University students spent nearly two weeks learning culinary techniques in a study abroad experience to Spain, the hottest country in culinary arts. Students learned about the diversity of traditional Spanish cuisine and new culinary trends, worked with renowned chef instructors, and saw food production facilities. This is one of the many programs through the Agriculture Study Abroad Office, who has sent students to all seven continents.

Study Abroad - 2015 Aug 24

Iowa State University students study nutrition in Peru

Iowa State University students spent nearly four weeks learning about international nutrition in a study abroad experience to Peru. As they worked with Peruvian researchers and students, the Iowa State students complete modules on communication and nutrition education, community-based research, clinical nutrition, and water and food safety. This is one of the many programs through the Agriculture Study Abroad Office, who has sent students to all seven continents.

Study Abroad - 2015 Aug 13

Iowa State University College of Design students complete semester in Rome

Thirty-six architecture and 11 landscape architecture students studied in Italy for the spring 2015 semester with the Iowa State University College of Design Rome Program. Their studio projects involved research, analysis and proposed redesign of segments of the 12-mile Aurelian Wall that rings the area of Imperial-era Rome. They also participated in a three-day design charrette with 19 students from the University of Oklahoma in Rome and 50 Italian students from Roma Tre University.

Study Abroad - 2015 Jul 8

Graphic Design in Europe program provides intensive cultural immersion

Fifteen graphic design students in Iowa State University's College of Design traveled to cities in France, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland for three weeks to study European graphic design and visual culture. Through visits to design studios, museums and historical sites, students learned about the art, architecture and design of each city and site and the varied philosophies and methods of European design firms.

Study Abroad - 2015 Jun 26

College of Design students collaborate with Peruvian partners on studio outreach projects

Participants in the Iowa State University College of Design's Studio Andino spent spring semester developing design proposals for two sites in Lima, Peru: a neighborhood on the city's expanding urban periphery and an artisanal fishing wharf on the city's urbanized Pacific Coast. Eighteen students majoring in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and urban design traveled to Lima over spring break in March to work on a design-build collaboration and public-engagement project.

Study Abroad - 2015 Jun 24

Iowa State University College of Design students experience interior design equivalent of Fashion Week in Paris

Five students from the Iowa State University Department of Interior Design rubbed shoulders with professional interior designers, interior design manufacturers and design publication editors from around the world who gathered in France for the annual Maison et Objet Paris and Paris Deco Off -- interior design's equivalent of Fashion Week. The group attended presentations and tours by top design houses like Pierre Frey, Hermes and Nobilis. Students also visited the Opera Garnier, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design and Museum of Fashion and Fabrics at the Louvre, and Chateau de Versailles.

Study Abroad - 2015 Jun 23

Iowa State University students get perspective traveling the world during spring semester

Over the course of spring semester, Iowa State University students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences took their learning outside the classroom and into a totally hands-on environment. The students traveled to places like Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica over Spring Break, and to St. John for the semester, to learn more about chosen areas of study.

Study Abroad - 2015 Jun 5

Ester Catherine Harmon Student Teaching/Study Abroad Scholarship awarded to College of Human Sciences Student

The Esther Catherine Harmon Student Teaching/Study Abroad scholarship was awarded to an Iowa State University College of Human Sciences student who will be participating in a study abroad program to further their knowledge of a world language.

Study Abroad - 2015 Jan 12

Doris Adams Scholarship awarded to College of Human Sciences Students

The Doris Adams Scholarship was awarded to three Iowa State University College of Human Sciences students that will be studying abroad during the Spring 2015 semester.

Study Abroad - 2015 Jan 12

College of Human Sciences students awarded International Experiences study abroad scholarship

Three students from the College of Human Sciences were awarded the International Experiences scholarship to help fund their study abroad participation.

Study Abroad - 2015 Jan 12

Iowa State University students complete international internships

A collection of Iowa State University students gained practical experience while making a difference around the world through an international internship. The internships, offered through the Global Resource Systems program, are designed as independent projects completed abroad that teach professional skills that can be applied home or beyond.

Study Abroad - 2014 Dec 12