Looking for a way to get some experience and learn how to apply your knowledge beyond the classroom? The International Service Learning program has course-based and co-curricular experiences which can help you do just that!
Check out all of the programs and apply at www.orice.ubc.ca
CO-CURRICULAR PLACEMENT OPTIONS: Fall Placements (Sept-Dec 2017; three month placements)
Sea Turtle Conservation: Costa Rica Open to all UBC students with an interest in environmental conservation and restoration. Suggested disciplines include, but are not limited to; Biology, Environmental Science, Land and Food Systems, and Forestry.
Our community partner is Quelonios del Caribe, a Community Based Organization located in the community of Pacuare, on a sandy coastline which has a unique set of agriculture conditions. UBC students will assist with the basic technical training of volunteers with Quelonios, specifically in sea turtle conservation. Further tasks include, but are not limited to; beach surveillance of turtle nests and nest data collection, aiding in the relocation of nests, reparation of defenses, changing sand, and caring for hatchlings. The aim of this internship is to provide assistance to Quelonios del Caribe while learning about environmental conservation, social change, and community development in Costa Rica.
Community-Level Environmental Impact Assessment: Costa Rica Open to all UBC students from any faculty with an interest in environmental conservation and restoration. Suggested disciplines include, but are not limited to; economics, geography, environmental science, land and food systems and sociology.
Students will be partnered with Quelonios del Caribe, an environmentally focused Community Based Organization located in the community of Pacuare. Students will be working with local farmers in the area to assess current land use, as well as collect information from farmers and community members on environmental impact concerns. Further project areas will involve designing a strategic plan to implement environmentally conscious farming practices in Pacuare. The aim of this internship is to provide assistance to Quelonios del Caribe while learning about environmental conservation, social change, and community development in Costa Rica.
Clean Community Water Systems- Analysis and Implementation: Costa Rica Open to all UBC students. A background in engineering or health or environmental sciences encouraged.
Our community partner is Quelonios del Caribe, a Community based organization located in the community of Pacuare, on a sandy coastline which has a unique set of agriculture conditions. UBC students will do an assessment of the community water system in Pacuare, concentrating on the location of water, the system of purification, as well as the availability of access. Further tasks include, but are not limited to; designing a plan to implement healthier drinking water collection systems, as well as designing a plan to improve wastewater management.
Interventions to Increase Quality Education for Children with Special Needs: Nairobi, Kenya
Open to all UBC students from any faculty with an interest in special needs education.
Students will be placed with Little Rock, an early childhood education and resource center which focuses on special needs education. Little Rock aims to provide training to educators in the surrounding public schools of Kibera, to help teachers both understand children with special needs and increase their effectiveness in working with such students. Students will work alongside Little Rock staff to develop educational interventions and curriculum to better serve the special needs population. Once the curriculum is approved by the Ministry of Education, students will work on the creation and implementation of detailed program and lesson plans as part of the project. Interns will work alongside school educators and administrators who have a strong background in working with children with special needs
Applications processed in the order received until program is full.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply.
COURSE OFFERINGS:
ECON 492d Communities, Markets and Technology is a six credit course integrating an international service learning approach with rigorous academic studies. The aim of the course is to both deepen and broaden students’ understanding of the process of economic development as it affects poor communities in Africa, India and Latin America. In particular, students will explore the problems and concerns of developing communities in relation to ways that resilient, healthy communities are able to create sustainable livelihoods, to support rather than deplete the local or regional environment, and to build local economies that ensure the well-being of all community members. As part of the course, students will be enrolled in a three month International Service Learning Placement from May-August 2018. Placement countries include India, Kenya, Uganda, Costa Rica, Bolivia and Mexico
Below are some examples of previous placements for ECON 492d
Mexico– Sustainable Livelihoods and Community Development (Feasibility Study)
Past students worked with an NGO in Mexico which works in solidarity with local communities to advance eco-agricultural practices and ensure that reliable forms of income are available for community members. Their work included collaborating closely with staff to comparatively analyze the market and production for current and proposed agricultural products.
Uganda- Microfinance Support (Program Development)
Past students worked alongside staff at an international NGO in western Uganda which undertakes microcredit activities to advance the role of women in their communities. Their work supported the continued implementation of an in-house database which supports accurate tracking and reporting on the microcredit program to set the organization up for more robust data analysis and research in the future.
**Placements for 2018 are currently being determined by host partners and program staff**
Applications processed in the order received until program is full.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply.
Email: ubc.isl@ubc.ca with any questions.
