When applying please note your preference for the Environmental Education and Community-Based Natural Resource Management program.
Program dates
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| March – May, 2015 | Orientation and pre-departure learning sessions (multiple sessions – approximately 35 hours in total) |
| June- August, 2015 | 12 week international placement including a facilitated workshop approximately mid-way through |
| September – October, 2015 | ISL post-placement reflection sessions and public engagement event |
Please note these dates may be adjusted but will be confirmed before you receive an offer of a placement.
Program overview
Our community partner in Costa Rica is ASVO (Asociación de Voluntarios para el Servicio en las Áreas Protegidas). Costa Rica has over 160 parks and wildlife refuges, which are habitats for many endangered species. With such a large area of the country needing protection, and few resources to support this effort, ASVO was formed to recruit local and international volunteers to assist local leaders in activities in four major areas: control, protection, environmental education and research. ASVO focuses on conservation projects in Costa Rica’s National Park system, as well as in coastal-marine areas that do not hold any official category of protection from the Ministry of Environment, but that are natural nesting sites for endangered sea turtle species. ASVO works as a bridge between civil society and the protected areas, engaging people in responsible actions in the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of Costa Rica.
You will be working at the ASVO project site in Matapalo. Matapalo is a small town on the Pacific Coast; ASVO operates a turtle hatchery in Matapalo and has a house for volunteers. Part of the long-term vision for the site is to have the hatchery managed and run by the community. Integrating community members into management of protected areas has the potential to increase local commitment to conservation and enhance the capacity to protect more areas in Costa Rica. The first step toward this at Matapalo is to develop an integrated environmental education program, working particularly with the local elementary school. This would include environmental education activities that would build from grade to grade.
This placement will require a high degree of initiative and problem-solving – you will be given the vision but will need to work closely with ASVO staff to figure out how to work toward that vision, with very few resources. This will involve building effective relationships with the school, developing a plan in collaboration with ASVO staff, developing and testing environmental education activities / materials and developing content-specific teacher training resources. Your work may include the development of a recycling program in the community. Although environmental education will be your primary focus, you can also expect to participate in some of the ‘regular’ volunteer activities related to the hatchery – building / repairing the hatchery, night patrols, etc. Ideally, you will have some experience doing workshops or activities with young people, a passion for environmental education / conservation, self-initiative and problem-solving skills, and a willingness to learn!
Leading up to your placement (Pre-departure)
Pre-departure learning sessions take place in the term before you leave for your placement; it prepares you for an intensive International Service Learning experience. During pre-departure you will:
- Create a learning & development plan and review with your ISL Advisor
- Explore learning topics at regular meetings with your placement team
Accommodations
You will be staying in very basic hostel-style accommodations shared with other ASVO volunteers. The Matapalo site is extremely busy with short-term international volunteers in July-August so you will need a high level of comfort with sharing space. All volunteers participate in cleaning and cooking activities. The beach is a five minute walk from the volunteer house.
After you’ve returned (Post-placement)
After you’ve returned, you’ll regroup, reflect and work at unpacking the intensive experience you’ve had. The schedule of post-placement activities includes:
- A full day to debrief with advisors and peers (September 2015)
- Presenting at an International Development Symposium (October 2015)
Program cost
We expect the program fee to be approximately $4,300*. Fees include:
- Room and board
- Pre-departure learning sessions
- Transportation from the airport to your placement**
- Orientation in Costa Rica
- Debrief and workshop part way through your placement
- Community partner management fee
- ISL project management fee
Airfare, visas and vaccinations are not included in the program fee. A return ticket to Costa Rica costs approximately $1,000 – $1,500. You will be required to bring your own laptop.
*Fees may be adjusted prior to offer
**You will need to arrange your own transportation from the project site back to the airport at the end of the placement
Program dates
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Rolling Deadline until March 1st, 2015 | Application intake and interviews |
| ~ 1 week after receiving an offer letter | Acceptance and deposits are due |
| March – May 2015 | Orientation and pre-departure learning sessions |
| June – August 2015 | 12 week International placement including a facilitated workshop approximately mid-way through (exact dates TBC) |
| September – October 2015 | ISL Post-placement reflection sessions and International Development Symposium |
**Please note these dates may be adjusted but will be confirmed prior to offer.
This program will close when full. Please apply ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Application
To apply for a 2015 placement, please submit an online application. Contact an advisor if you have any questions about the program eligibility before applying. The application consists of basic demographic information and essay questions. Set aside at least two hours to complete the application.
Program overview
Our community partner in Costa Rica is ASVO (Asociación de Voluntarios para el Servicio en las Áreas Protegidas). Costa Rica has over 160 parks and wildlife refuges, which are habitats for many endangered species. With such a large area of the country needing protection, and few resources to support this effort, ASVO was formed to recruit local and international volunteers to assist local leaders in activities in four major areas: control, protection, environmental education and research. ASVO focuses on conservation projects in Costa Rica’s National Park system, as well as in coastal-marine areas that do not hold any official category of protection from the Ministry of Environment, but that are natural nesting sites for endangered sea turtle species. ASVO works as a bridge between civil society and the protected areas, engaging people in responsible actions in the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of Costa Rica.
You will be working at the ASVO project site in Matapalo. Matapalo is a small town on the Pacific Coast; ASVO operates a turtle hatchery in Matapalo and has a house for volunteers. Part of the long-term vision for the site is to have the hatchery managed and run by the community. Integrating community members into management of protected areas has the potential to increase local commitment to conservation and enhance the capacity to protect more areas in Costa Rica. The first step toward this at Matapalo is to develop an integrated environmental education program, working particularly with the local elementary school. This would include environmental education activities that would build from grade to grade.
This placement will require a high degree of initiative and problem-solving – you will be given the vision but will need to work closely with ASVO staff to figure out how to work toward that vision, with very few resources. This will involve building effective relationships with the school, developing a plan in collaboration with ASVO staff, developing and testing environmental education activities / materials and developing content-specific teacher training resources. Your work may include the development of a recycling program in the community. Although environmental education will be your primary focus, you can also expect to participate in some of the ‘regular’ volunteer activities related to the hatchery – building / repairing the hatchery, night patrols, etc. Ideally, you will have some experience doing workshops or activities with young people, a passion for environmental education / conservation, self-initiative and problem-solving skills, and a willingness to learn!
Leading up to your placement (Pre-departure)
Pre-departure learning sessions take place in the term before you leave for your placement; it prepares you for an intensive International Service Learning experience. During pre-departure you will:
- Create a learning & development plan and review with your ISL Advisor
- Explore learning topics at regular meetings with your placement team
Accommodations
You will be staying in very basic hostel-style accommodations shared with other ASVO volunteers. The Matapalo site is extremely busy with short-term international volunteers in July-August so you will need a high level of comfort with sharing space. All volunteers participate in cleaning and cooking activities. The beach is a five minute walk from the volunteer house.
After you’ve returned (Post-placement)
After you’ve returned, you’ll regroup, reflect and work at unpacking the intensive experience you’ve had. The schedule of post-placement activities includes:
- A full day to debrief with advisors and peers (September 2015)
- Presenting at an International Development Symposium (October 2015)
Program cost
We expect the program fee to be approximately $4,300*. Fees include:
- Room and board
- Pre-departure learning sessions
- Transportation from the airport to your placement**
- Orientation in Costa Rica
- Debrief and workshop part way through your placement
- Community partner management fee
- ISL project management fee
Airfare, visas and vaccinations are not included in the program fee. A return ticket to Costa Rica costs approximately $1,000 – $1,500. You will be required to bring your own laptop.
*Fees may be adjusted prior to offer
**You will need to arrange your own transportation from the project site back to the airport at the end of the placement
Program dates
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Rolling Deadline until March 1st, 2015 | Application intake and interviews |
| ~ 1 week after receiving an offer letter | Acceptance and deposits are due |
| March – May 2015 | Orientation and pre-departure learning sessions |
| June – August 2015 | 12 week International placement including a facilitated workshop approximately mid-way through (exact dates TBC) |
| September – October 2015 | ISL Post-placement reflection sessions and International Development Symposium |
**Please note these dates may be adjusted but will be confirmed prior to offer.
This program will close when full. Please apply ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Application
To apply for a 2015 placement, please submit an online application. Contact an advisor if you have any questions about the program eligibility before applying. The application consists of basic demographic information and essay questions. Set aside at least two hours to complete the application.