Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — Fifteen students from Kansas State University will spend their summer in service to communities around the world.

The university's School of Leadership Studies will send its 2014 International Services Teams to Mexico, South Africa and the Dominican Republic.

Students from any major or discipline can apply to be team members. Students go through a two-round application and interview process before the teams are selected.

"This year's group members really grasp what their role is within a team setting and can navigate cross-cultural conflict skillfully," said Kaitlin Long, who works with the International Service Teams.

The teams and their service projects include:

Team Esperanza will go to Puebla, Mexico, to work alongside the local university partner, UPAEP, to teach English classes to all levels of students in the community of La Preciosita. While teaching English, students will be learning traditional cultural practices.

Team Saam will head to Ocean View, South Africa, to work with the organization Volunteer Mzansi. Students will placed at different projects in Ocean View and live with a host family in the community. Services students will be performing range from assisting in classrooms to working alongside health professionals and community centers.

Team Sueno will go to Cabarete, Dominican Republic, to serve as camp counselors for the DREAM Project. Students will be advocates for educational empowerment during the summer program for at-risk youth. Additionally, students will expand their language as they learn the culture of the Dominican Republic.

Members of Kansas State University's 2014 International Service Teams include:

Wade Gutierrez, junior in psychology, Belleville, Team Esperanza; Emma Miller, sophomore in pre-professional elementary education, Dodge City, Team Esperanza; Shandell Gallardo, junior in mass communications, Garden City, Team Esperanza.

From Greater Kansas City: Brady Armstrong, junior in economics, and Ellen Harley, sophomore in family studies and human services, both from Olathe and both on Team Saam; Sara Curran, junior in elementary education, Overland Park, Team Saam; and Jill Applegate, sophomore in mass communications, Team Sueno, Brooke Cooper, freshman in pre-professional secondary education, Team Esperanza, and Natalie Gonzales, freshman in pre-journalism and mass communications, Team Sueno, all from Shawnee.

Courtney Chacon, senior in family studies and human services, Hutchinson, Team Sueno; Jasmine Bannister, junior in music education, and Autumn Snesrud, junior in pre-professional secondary education, both from Iola and both on Team Saam; and Kristen Doberer, sophomore in pre-professional elementary education, Wichita, Team Saam.

From Missouri: Adriane Barry, junior in family studies and human services, Lee's Summit, Team Sueno; and Tyler Bedell, senior in marketing, Liberty, Team Saam.