Program Overview
Eligibility Criteria
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, environmental science, and sociology.
Partner Organization
Our community partner is Quelonios del Caribe, located in Barra del Pacuare, Costa Rica. Students will work on an ecological service project alongside Roberto Solano Cordero, the lead biologist overseeing the project. Roberto is a biologist by profession although he also carries titles as an educator among other things. At the Quelonios del Caribe site Roberto oversees projects in sea turtle, and other species conservation as well as training and education in the area of sea turtle ecology and biological management. He has also worked for the National Maritime Patrol, the National Coast Guard Service, the Ministry of Education, as well as different associations and non-governmental organizations dedicated to conservation. Roberto has been a teacher, naturalist guide for tourism, environmental consultant, project manager, volunteer coordinator, and youth leader. He strongly believes in experiential learning as it is the best way to gain fulfilling work experience that will help shape future career paths.
Project Description
Organization partners in the Pacuare community on the Caribbean coast are developing systems to support greenhouses in the area. This community is located on a sandy coastline which has a unique set of agriculture conditions which impact the variety of food produced locally. 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.
This placement will require a high degree of initiative and problem-solving – and will need to work closely with Quelonios del Caribe staff to determine progress towards the vision for the program with very few resources. This will involve building effective relationships within the communities, developing a plan in collaboration with Quelonios staff, and developing strategies for these projects.
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. This will also develop understanding of the role of community spaces in providing necessary resources to various community demographics, understanding the complex issues surrounding poverty and community development, and to appreciate the social, economic, and cultural factors relevant to implementing policy.
Accommodations
You will live with on site at Quelonios del Caribe, in hostel style accommodation.
Program Dates
| Date | Activity |
| September 24, 2017 | Program applications accepted until full OR until 11:59pm on Sunday, September 24th, 2017, whichever comes first. |
| Late October – November 2017 | Orientation and pre-departure learning sessions (all successful applicants will be expected to be in attendance at all sessions) |
| January – April 2018 | 12 weeks of fieldwork in an International Service Learning placement |
| Late April – May 2018 | Re-entry debrief and Public Engagement Event |
**Please note these dates may be adjusted but will be confirmed prior to offer.
Program Costs
The costs below are per student. Exact program costs are not confirmed at this time, but will be within the following ranges.
| Location | Program Fee |
| Costa Rica | $4,600-4,800 |