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Student Trips

Students in Illinois State's Politics and Government Department are able to embark on several trips, both to national and international locations. Contact the trip leader for more information.

Students on the trip to Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., Civic Engagement Trip

The Department of Politics and Government in conjunction with the American Democracy Project sponsors an annual student civic engagement trip to Washington, D.C. Students meet with elected officials, advocacy groups and various other political stakeholders, including lobbyists and not-for-profits. The purpose of the trip is for students to network and gain access to the federal government for internships and/or potential employment after graduation.

Contact trip leader Erik Rankin

Fair Trade: Coffee, Fruit, and Communities in Costa Rica and Beyond

This program is designed as an independent study project that uses fair trade to help students think about and understand critical sustainability issues from a global perspective. The project also incorporates elements of global engagement and experiential learning. It encourages students to study and engage with environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability and global justice and provides them with the opportunity to engage with fair trade, a movement that seeks to promote global justice, community development, and sustainability. The program centers on a week-long experience in Costa Rica where students will visit fair trade certified farms and meet with co-op members and stakeholders to learn about fair labor practices, sustainable agricultural practices, and the impact of fair trade on community development.

For more information, contact Noha Shawki or Julian Westerhout.

Students on the trip to Costa Rica.

Student Trip Stories

Professor Erik Rankin (far left) took 10 ISU students to the Democratic National Convention.
A group of Illinois State students has been receiving a lesson in civic engagement and an inside look at history these [...]
Seven Illinois State University students, led by Professor Erik Rankin, traveled to the nation’s capital over the week [...]
During the 30-day experience, students interact with government officials, community leaders, organizations, and [...]