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Learning and Living in Ecovillages Around the World
Story by Gregg Orifici
Collegian Travel & Adventure Magazine
Spring/Summer 2004 |
Study Abroad for a Sustainable Future
Are you concerned about the world's problems (environmental destruction, climate change, social injustice, overpopulation...)? Do you ever say to yourself, "Okay, I get it! Things have to change. But where are people working on solutions?" Do you want to help create a more sustainable future?
If so, then bring your education to life by studying abroad with Living Routes in ecovillages around the world. Ecovillages are communities striving to create cooperative and sustainable lifestyles in harmony with their local environments. They are groups of people developing social and ecological tools such as consensus decision-making, ecological design, green building, renewable energy systems, and organic farming. Most exciting, they offer positive visions and alternatives for humanity and the planet.
Ecovillages are not utopias, but they are experimenting with solutions. They make ideal "campuses" for students to walk their talk and immerse themselves in both academic and experiential learning about sustainability.
What's it like? You create your own learning goals, take courses, dialog with local experts, give back through a self-selected internship... and best of all, earn college credit that is transferable to your home college or university.
Here's a taste of what you can experience: |
• Identify rare medicinal plants in a rainforest in southern India
• Help regenerate the Caledonian forest in the Highlands of Scotland
• Garden organically, watched by wallabies, in subtropical Australia
• Learn about sustainable village development in traditional Senegal
• Build an adobe house & explore a World Heritage Biosphere in Brazil |
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• Become a skilled consensus facilitator and group leader in Mexico
• Design ecological homesteads and landscapes in western Massachusetts |
Students from majors ranging from environmental studies to the humanities to political science gain the skills and real-world experience to focus on issues that matter and gain vision and clarity to help heal our planet and build sustainable communities.
"I learned more than just concepts, I built a deep knowledge of environmental and social issues," says University of Vermont student and Living Routes alumnus Simon Abramson (India 2002). He studied abroad on Living Routes: Sustainability in Practice at Auroville, an amazing community that has created a lush oasis out of an ecological disaster zone and a community of 2,000 people from all over the world dedicated to social justice and sustainable living. "For me," continues Simon, "sustainability studies was transformed from theory and principles into direct experience and practice. When I returned to UVM, I felt able to create and practice the values that I have yearned to see in the world."
For Mikal Lynch, from the University of Iowa, who studied the psychology of groups, human ecology and creative writing at at Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland, she changed her worldview. "I learned a whole new way of 'being' in the world - a way filled with compassion, critical thinking and peaceful solutions." It's hard to guarantee transformation, but profound learning and inspiration to create change are often the result of living in a community that practices ideology in action.Is there Financial Aid?
Yes, Living Routes offers small need-based scholarships. In addition, students can apply much of their financial aid packages to Living Routes programs. Contact Living Routes Strudy Abroad for more info at (888) 515-7333 or online at www.livingroutes.org. |
Semester Programs (Fall and Spring)
Earn 12-16 credits through University of New Hampshire or Pacific Lutheran University
India
Sustainability in Practice in Auroville
Study and build field experience in habitat protection, systems thinking, and ecological literacy in one of the world's largest and most diverse ecovillages. Visit Periyar Sanctuary, the Gandhian community of Mitraniketan, and design and complete an internship in sustainable development.
Scotland
Human Challenge of Sustainability at Findhorn
Learn about the integration of human ecology and natural systems as you gain valuable field experience in sustainable food systems, creative expression and group facilitation. Spend a week on extraordinary Erraid Island with a small farming community and help regenerate the Caledonian forest through the Trees for Life program.
January Programs (3 Weeks)
Earn 4 credits through University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Senegal
Sustainable Development at EcoYoff
Explore the complex relationship between humans, development needs, and the environment by visiting several ecovillages including EcoYoff, a 600-year old fishing village in Dakar and a leader in sustainable community development.
Mexico
Participatory Leadership at Huehuecoyotl
Learn the communication and leadership skills needed to create a common vision in the volcano belt of central Mexico.
Summer Programs (3 Weeks)
Earn 4 credits through University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Brazil
Permaculture at Ecoversidade
Investigate new ways of creating sustainable human habitats in tropical central Brazil and participate in community-based activities including Capoeira, a native mix of acrobatics, sacred dance, and self-defense.
USA
Permaculture at Sirius
Learn how to integrate plants, animals, buildings, people, and communities in a design for ecological living at an educational and spiritual Ecovillage in scenic western Massachusetts. |
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