For a group of 13 Kirkwood Community College international students, Wednesday, March 28, provided a first-hand look at American politics. These students spent a day at the state capitol in Des Moines. They are in the United States as Community College Initiative (CCI) program participants, studying Business, Hospitality Management and Agriculture at Kirkwood. It’s the sixth year the college has hosted CCI program participants funded by the Fulbright Program.
One of the requirements of the Fulbright grant is that the visiting students study the American form of government. Kirkwood Executive Director of Governmental Relations Steve Ovel met with the group and arranged visits with Senator Daryl Beall, Representative Dave Jacoby, Speaker of the House Kraig Paulsen, Legislative Assistant Dave Schroeder, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and Senate President Jack Kibbie. Students also spent time in both the Senate and House galleries, observing sessions of both government bodies in action.
This year’s students are from Pakistan, India, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia and Panama. CCI provides educational programs, professional development, employment skills and a first-hand understanding of American society to underserved, non-elite, international young adults. Kirkwood is one of 20 colleges across the country hosting CCI program participants.