Fall Adventures

Have you ever asked yourself why someone with a stove and microwave would ever want to brave the cold of autumn to cook their food outside… even over an open fire? How about tractors and trucks pulling wagons loaded with, not hay, but people! What of the act of picking an item from the household garden and giving it two eyes, a nose, and a mouth and involving it in the home decor? These questions are of common seasonal activities in America; however, for those crossing over from other cultures, these activities may be far from normal.

As coordinator of the field trips, I have gotten to enjoy some pretty awesome activities with a wonderful bunch of ESL students this past fall. This fall we were privileged with 36 students to take around and to help discover what the world of American Culture looks like up close and personal.

Our itinerary for the year started off with an afternoon visit to an ESL instructor’s home near Elgin, IA. Here, students enjoyed a sunny and pleasant afternoon playing yard games, eating home-cooked food, and just having a great time of fellowship; meeting and getting acquainted with the families, instructors, and staff of ESL.

On September 10^th, ESL travelled to the Carriage Classic at the Villa Louis Historic Site in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. Here, there was a wide array of horse drawn carriage competitions as well as guided tours of the 19^th century Victorian style mansion located on the grounds. Afterwards, a meal was served at Pikes Peak overlooking the Mississippi River and town of Prairie Du Chien. Not only was the meal good, but the view stole the show! One Japanese student said of the place: “I had never seen such a beautiful nature.”

Later on in the month of September, before the weather got too cold, students were taken out to the countryside to enjoy a more traditional/seasonal trip consisting of a hayride, bonfire, and pumpkin carving activity. Many students had only heard of these things and some had only ever seen them on American movies.

In October, students were taken to Elkader, Iowa to visit and learn of the American Civil War from the Co. A, 49^th Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry. This trip will probably not soon be forgotten as students got to see and interactively discover what life would have been like during the civil war. Students learned how to load and set off a cannon as well as how to perform a civil war artillery drill and infantry drill. Probably the most captivating activity was learning how to dance the Virginia Reel. This was a country dance popular in the U.S. from about 1830-1890. Students also got to see and hold authentic and reproduced artifacts of the civil war.

These are just some of the trips I have chosen to expound on that the ESL institute has provided for its students this fall, however, there are many more trips that will be opened up to ESL students in the coming months. Special thanks must be given to those families around Fayette who continually and joyfully give of their time and resources to help show each student all the good and wonderful things that go on in our little corner of Iowa. Because of these families, many ESL students have gotten to ride a horse, milk a cow, make apple cider and ice-cream, try buffalo stew, and much, much more! I think I can say that we are all looking forward to the times ahead of us!



Welcome to Upper Iowa University!

The goal of this blog will be to have posts that inform prospective and current ESL (English as a Second Language) students about Upper Iowa University and what is happening in our ESL Institute.

To start off, a little history is appropriate.  Upper Iowa University's ESL Institute began in August 2009 with 14 students, but we are now expecting at least 40 students from a variety of countries for August 2011!  This growth is a testimony to the great service our International Programs and university provides, our dedicated instructors, our strong curriculum, and our special programming (e.g. cultural field trips and ESL Zone).  Here is a link to our webpage: http://uiu.edu/international/esl.html

Students at both beginner and advanced proficiency levels take 5 courses: grammar, writing, reading, listening/speaking, and American culture.  Students complete the ESL Institute academically equipped to succeed as undergraduates.  The cultural aspects of the program help students adapt to the demands of living in the United States and going to an American university.   

If you are looking for a university to study where there are no outside distractions, but plenty of opportunities to practice English, Upper Iowa University is for you!  Upper Iowa is located in rural scenic Northeast Iowa with many friendly Midwesterners.  It is a very safe and peaceful environment.  When you are looking for a study break and some fun, you have plenty opportunities for outdoor and indoor recreation (e.g. canoeing/kayaking, biking, swimming, weight lifting, basketball, and badminton).  Moreover, there are many campus events and clubs that students can get involved in, and a mall trip every weekend.  Additionally, students can enjoy four seasons – summer, fall, winter, and spring.  Winter is usually an enjoyable new experience for students because there is a lot of snow in comparison to their home countries.  Many build a snowman, make a snow angel, or go skiing for the first time!

I can assure you that our new incoming August 2011 ESL students will find themselves pleased with their decision to attend Upper Iowa.  I want to give a special warm welcome to them and a special welcome back to all of our returning ESL students!  

Sarah Bjork

Director, ESL Institute