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| ESL students and staff at John Deere Tractor Works |
So far, ESL students have enjoyed 2 different outings this spring. The first occurred in late January during the second week of classes. The group took a short drive to West Union, a small town about 15 minutes north of Fayette, for a fun, casual afternoon of bowling. West Union has a nice bowling alley, and, during their visit, the group had it all to themselves. The bowling alley staff was very accommodating and even offered to open up early just for them; they were very welcoming and helpful to all the students and provided them with a very enjoyable visit!
Some of the ESL students had been bowling before either in their home countries or in the US; others had never held a bowling ball before. This allowed each student to have his or her own unique experience! The group of 22 students, 2 International Ambassadors, the ESL Program Coordinator, and an ESL instructor divided into six teams for some healthy competition, and each took their time playing two games apiece.
Many of the students expressed how much they enjoyed the trip upon arriving back at UIU and seemed grateful that they were able to have both an educational and fun cultural experience while still having enough time in the day to relax with friends and do homework. Having many local travel destinations in the northeast Iowa area at their disposal is definitely a perk to living and studying at UIU. Having opportunities to experience some of them while learning about American culture is also just one of the many benefits students have while enrolled in the ESL Program!
Two weeks later, the second trip of the semester took the students to John Deere Tractor Works in Waterloo, a city about 1 hour southwest of Fayette. John Deere is one of the biggest companies housed in Waterloo and is an important component of northeast Iowa's economy. At their assembly plant (Tractor Works), the group was able to see the production of tractors and other John Deere products that are used around the world. Through an informational film, the students learned about the company's history and influence, along with the kinds of machines and tools they produce. This was a great introduction to what they were about to see next!
The group then divided up onto three separate trolley carts pulled by smaller John Deere utility tractors for a tour ride around a portion of the production floor, narrated by a very knowledgeable long-time employee who now works as a tour guide. A couple of the many components of the tour included seeing parts of the tractor frames spray painted their famous "John Deere green" by computer-guided robots and learning about the difference between the tractors John Deere manufactures for North American use compared to those they design for European use. At the end of the tour, the students had a chance to browse the company gift shop filled with various John Deere logo-ed merchandise and pick up a souvenir to remember their experience.
Some of the ESL students and International Ambassadors that joined them both expressed how much they enjoyed this trip as well. They liked the format of the film and tour, along with the opportunity to see a working production plant in "real life" compared to what they'd seen on television and online. They also were grateful for the chance to have a better understanding of a company that is so widely known and regularly visible around their current home in Iowa and the Midwest!
Within the next couple weeks, ESL students will have two more opportunities to experience new facets of American culture through field trips just like these. Want to know where they went and what they did? Check back soon for more updates!
