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Reviews Iowa State University, USA

The most important feature about Iowa State was t... Wonderful experience!Duc, from Vietnam

I am building better study habits. It's helping m... It is an adventure at Iowa!Nick, from Puerto Rico

When I thought about Iowa State I didn't think it... Amazing IowaJassim, from Kuwait

We're so lucky at Iowa State. I've talked to frie... Continuing tradition!Greta, from United States

There are 26,000 students here and sometimes that... Six-degrees of separationSarah, from United States

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JenniferUnited States: Iowa State University, USA; Landscape Architecture; Level of study:No qualification; Year of graduation:2009

ratingOverall experience

I was part of the Mississippi River Traveling Studio Learning Community. For six weeks we explored different landscapes up and down the Mississippi River. These trips have allowed me to see the bigger picture and see how different cultures live, helping me become a better designer. I can relate to how someone will use a space and I can [come up with a] better design for the area because I have experienced the culture firsthand. Having the opportunity to travel has allowed me to see the different styles of architecture and cultures we discuss in class. It has given me the ability to correctly and efficiently apply these forms and styles to my designs.

ratingYour study experience

We had a roadside architecture projects where we took photos of an element along the road, i.e. water towers, silos, barns, gas stations, cemeteries, etc. and documented them on both trips. Then we analyzed the changes in their form, structure, etc. across the country. Our professors traveled with us and we took university vans. They had it planned out ahead of time where we were going to stay in hotels and where we were going to camp. I also took a spring break study abroad class, Hort 511(Integrated Management of Tropical Crops). We went for 10 days and traveled all over Costa Rica. After arriving in the country we were met by some students who were from the University of Costa Ricathey had been to Iowa State the previous year studying the crops, plants, and management practices in Iowa compared to their climate in Costa Rica. The universities take turns showing each others students what they do, helping to give us a better picture of the different climates and cultures.

ratingYour life experience

While we were there we studied tropical plants and got to visit banana, pineapple, heart of palm, and leatherleaf fern plantations, and some botanical gardens. We also visited the Irazú Volcano (the diameter of this volcano is 1,000 meters wide) and the Cloud Forest. There was also time to catch a little sun on the beaches! We were able to visit some of the local students' homes, where we got to experience their culture and some traditional meals.