Clean Energy Project with Eco-Agricultural Conservation Organization in Mexico

Clean Energy Project with Eco-Agricultural Conservation Organization in Mexico

Position Overview

Applications are currently being reviewed in the order they are received. Program will close when full, OR at 11:59pm on Sunday April 29th, 2018, whichever comes first.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to engineering UBC students with an interest in energy conservation.

Partner Organization

Tsomanotik‘s [http://manotik.org/]  Tsomanotik is an eco-agricultural organization working in Chiapas and is committed to promoting sustainability and solidarity in community settings. Communities in rural parts of Chiapas state are facing rising energy costs for fuel and electricity which have increased as much as 38% over the past two years. Tsomanotik, along with key organizational partners, are seeking to explore the possibility of developing alternative energy sources from renewable resources. Interns will contribute to a feasibility study and creation of a white paper on this issue by considering the development and implementation of alternative energy sources. Focus areas would include technical and community-based factors such as design processes, technical factors, and potential community-based outcomes of pursuing such technology.

Project Description

The closest electrical line runs almost 500m away from Tsomanotik’s land and requires a set of makeshift posts and wiring to be transmitted in. The absence of a transformer that can keep the voltage high on the transmission process and then lowered to usable levels (120V) means that almost 10% of the energy is lost over the last 500m. With over four water pumps and more than 13 people living in the premises plus visitors, this power demand has increased to the point where it (usage + loss) becomes a significant figure in the organization’s budget.

Yet, the most important -philosophical- reason to look into alternative sources of energy has been with Tsomanotik since the beginning: to develop and share ideas and experiences that can increase the sustainability of communities and better their relationship with their environment. The process of shifting towards a different, independent and clean source of energy for our center will yield significant knowledge and insights on the way and eventually result in a model that can be carried into different communities, households and livelihoods.

This project is aimed primarily at analyzing the areas of opportunity provided by the environment, habits and current facilities to transition into a different, cleaner and more reliable energy supply. Research must be carried out not only in terms adding new generation infrastructure but should consider also other sources of energy already existing inside the center’s loop. In addition, the project seeks to develop a set of rules and organizational culture that will shift the conception of energy from a “utility” to a an item that is hard to harvest and should be used purposefully and responsibly.

The main goal of this research then is to gather information to decide if and how a transition into a better supply system can be carried out. If the transition is deemed feasible, the information gathered and the main plan will be submitted to the Mexican Government in order to apply for funding under the “Clean Energy Support Initiative for Rural Producers”. This grant is aimed to cut down on the costs of food production and pollution in rural areas through the implementation of clean energy initiatives in farms, rural factories and food producing collectives. The information will be laid out according to the project framework requested by the Mexican government to those NGO’s and agro-ecological organizations who apply to a grant that covers 75% of the investment in clean energy.

Accommodations

You will live on site at Tsomanotik in hostel-style accommodations.

Program Dates

Date Activity
April 29th, 2018 Applications accepted until full OR until 11:59pm on Sunday April 29th, whichever comes first.
May – June Orientation and pre-departure learning activities
July – August 8 weeks of fieldwork in an International Service Learning placement
Mid-September – Early October 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

Mexico

Program Fee

$4,600 – $4,800

Business Plan Development with Environmental Conservation Organization in Costa Rica

Position Overview

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all UBC students with an interest in environmental conservation and restoration, as well as experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Business Plan/Model Development
  • Accounting and Financial Planning

Partner Organization

Students will work alongside Roberto Solano Cordero, the lead biologist at the organization, Matapalo Sea Turtle Conservation in Matapalo, Costa Rica.  The project will encompass organization activity that takes place on multiple sites, including along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Roberto is a biologist by profession although he also carries other titles, including educator. Roberto oversees projects in sea turtle conservation, as well as the conservation of other local species such as sloths. Additionally, he trains and educates locals and visitors to his organization on sea turtle ecology and biological management. In the past, Roberto 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 that experiential learning is the best way to gain meaningful work experience that will help shape students’ future career paths.

Project Description

Matapalo Sea Turtle Conservation is an organization, dedicated to environmental conservation. The staff at Matapalo are experts in conservation, but need assistance in managing the business side of the organization. As a long-time partner of the Office of Regional and International Community Engagement (ORICE), Matapalo Sea Turtle Conservation has been working with a group of UBC students (who have been working remotely from UBC) this year to develop a long-term business model for the organization.

Successful applicants of this program will partake in a three month international service learning placements at the Matapalo Sea Turtle Conservation organization, during which they will carry on the work that the team of UBC students worked on remotely throughout the fall and winter. At Matapalo Sea Turtle Conservation, students will help design and implement a sustainable business model, while assisting with the completion of the 2017 financial report and also participating in the conservation work of the organization. In this placement, students will gain valuable work experience while exploring how external actors can respectfully engage with local organizations to promote sustainable development.

Accommodations

You will live on site at Matapalo Sea Turtle Conservation in hostel-style accommodations.

Program Dates

Date Activity
February 25, 2017 Applications accepted until full OR until 11:59pm on Sunday February 25th, whichever comes first.
March – April Orientation and pre-departure learning sessions (all successful applicants will be expected to be in attendance at all sessions)
May – August 12 weeks of fieldwork in an International Service Learning placement
Mid-September – Early October 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: Costa Rica

Program Fee: $4,600-$4,800

Funding opportunities: $1000 bursaries available for students with a 70% in 24 credits (with no fail/incomplete) in W2016.

Pre-Departure Overview

The pre-departure learning program is designed to prepare you for an international service learning placement. This will include:

  • Pre-departure learning sessions taking place over the academic term leading up to departure, led by staff and community development professionals.
  • Creation of a learning and development plan
  • Participant-led events/presentations
  • Facilitated meetings with your placement team to explore learning topics

Post-Placement Overview

You will participate in post-placement activities in Sept – Oct 2018, including:

  1. A full day to debrief session
  2. Presentation at a Public Engagement Event

Additional Information

The program cost includes:

  • Pre-departure learning sessions at UBC
  • Room and board
  • Transportation from the airport to your placement site
  • Orientation in host country
  • In-session debrief and workshop part way through your placement
  • Reflection materials
  • Community partner management fee
  • Program management fee

*Fees may be adjusted before offer.

NOTE: The stated program fee does not include all expenses of the program. Students are responsible for all additional costs not included. These costs are: tuition, airfare, visas, vaccinations, local transportation while in country, transportation from the project site back to the airport at the end of the placement, personal items, and daily incidentals. You will also be required to bring your own laptop.

Selection Process

To apply please fill out and submit an online application. Successful applicants will be invited to an interview. After interviews, you will be notified of a decision; successful candidates will be sent an offer letter with further details on the program and detailed instructions on how to accept. You will have approximately one week after receiving the offer letter to accept and pay a program deposit. Your selection into the ISL program includes meeting eligibility requirements, as well as your initial application and your performance in the interview.

Don’t wait to apply, there are limited spaces available!

Strengthening Community-Based Business Models; Quelonios del Caribe

Project Overview

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all UBC graduate students and upper year undergraduates interested in working on an organizational challenge form a trans-disciplinary approach.

Project Description

Students will research and brainstorm ways to address specific organizational challenges of ORICE’s community partner organization, Quelonios del Caribe. Quelonios del Caribe is a non-profit conservation organization based in Costa Rica.  Students will work alongside Quelonios del Caribe, on developing a business model to generate needed maintenance funds. This project will require students to work with peers, faculty/community partners and staff provide possible solutions, tools and/or approaches to meet Quelonios del Caribe’s needs.

Project Dates

Date Activity
September 24th, 2017 Program applications accepted until full OR until 11:59pm on Sunday, September 24th, 2017
October – November 2017 Research, brainstorm, and develop a potential business model for Quelonios del Caribe
Late November 2017 Finalize proposed business model and wrap up work with Quelonios

Logistics

All work will take place on Vancouver campus. Students will work with ORICE and Quelonios staff (via email / skype) to craft a draft business model for Quelonios del Caribe.

The estimated time commitment for this program is 5 hours per week from October-November, 2017. The breakdown of this time commitment is as follows:

  1. Participation in a 2 hour weekly meeting (scheduled around students’ course work)
  2. 1-3 hours of independent research/work per week outside of scheduled meetings

How to Apply:

To apply please send your resume and a 200-500 word blurb explaining why you would like to be part of this project to ubc.isl@ubc.ca

PSYC 417A: Psychology and Developing Societies

Program Overview

Applications are now closed.

Eligibility Criteria

This program is open to all Faculty of Arts Psychology majors and minors who have completed 2nd year (54 credits) by May 2018 as well as have completed 6 credits of 300-level psychology course work.

PSYC 417A has multiple components

  • Pre-departure learning program from January – April 2018
  • Seminars run on campus in May 2018
  • 12 weeks of fieldwork in an International Service Learning placement from late May – August 2018
  • Return seminar and final coursework on campus in September 2018
  • Re-entry debrief and International Development Symposium on campus in September – October 2018

Course Description

Psychology 417A – Psychology and Developing Societies is a 3 credit course that will introduce students to the application of psychology to global development initiatives.  Students will explore the diverse contributions that psychologists may make to global development and examine topics that foster cultural sensitivity and respectful collaboration in diverse cultural contexts.  Students will relate their classroom learning to the “real- world” through an international service learning placement in Uganda or Kenya.  Students’ field placements will be organized and facilitated by staff at UBC’s Office of Regional and International Community Engagement.

Placement Descriptions

As a part of PSYC 417A, you will be enrolled in an International Service Learning placement. Specific placements will be announced in February-March 2018. Placements go from late May – August 2018. Below are examples of placements previously offered to students in the course:

Uganda:

Community Development through HIV/AIDS Programs and Services

Our community partner, The AIDS Support Organization (TASO), was founded in 1987 to contribute to the process of HIV prevention, education, support, and eradication.  Students will work in a TASO regional office on a project that emphasizes partnerships needed for the development and mobilization of programs related to HIV/AIDS. Interns will work closely with TASO staff to develop tools and communication strategies that can be implemented to reduce the behavioural risks related to substance abuse, HIV, STIs, and unwanted pregnancies in Uganda’s youth. They will also be involved in developing youth-accessible social support models.

Kenya:

Community Health & Wellbeing – Evaluation and Implementation

Carolina for Kibera (CFK) is based in the neighborhood of Kibera in Nairobi and exists to develop local leaders, catalyse positive social change and alleviate poverty in Kibera.  Driven by local needs, CFK programming advance health, education, ethnic cooperation, gender equality and economic empowerment and equip leaders with tools to strengthen the community. Interns will evaluate Binti Pamoja’s (Daughters United) programs in the form of Safe Spaces and Core Program.  Following from a previous survey conducted in 2009, which comprehensively investigated Binti’s level of functioning at the time, the current project is intended to bring up-to-date monitoring and evaluating procedures for the program.  The current research, adapted from that conducted in 2009, highlights key areas of Binti’s programming, such as sexual and reproductive health, financial literacy, relationships, self-esteem, and gender norms.  Interns will work with CFK staff on the design, implementation and analysis of the study.

Living Environment

In Uganda and Kenya you will live with host families in modest conditions. In most cases, you will take public transport to and from your placement.

Program Dates

Date Activity
Now – January 21st, 2018 Program application is open and will close when full. Applications will be considered in the order they are received.
Jan – Apr 2018 Orientation and pre-departure learning sessions (all successful applicants will be expected to be in attendance at all sessions)
May 2018 PSYC 417A course
May – Aug 2018 12 week International placement including a facilitated workshop approximately mid-way through (exact dates TBA)
Sep 2018 PSYC 417A course – Post Placement seminar and assignments due (exact dates TBA)
Sep – Oct 2018 ISL Post-placement reflection sessions and International Development Symposium.

**Please note these dates may be adjusted but will be confirmed prior to offer.

Program Costs

The cost* of this program may be funded by the ARA award. Please see the Awards & Eligibility section below for more information. The costs below are per student and are yet to be fully determined, but will be within the following ranges.

Location Full Program Fee Fee with 70% ARA funding
Uganda $3,900 – $4,400 $1,170 – $1,320
Kenya $3,900 – $4,400 $1,170 – $1,320

Students applying for the ARA award through PSYC 417A must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those listed under the Arts Research Abroad section.

  • Be enrolled as a Psychology major in the Faculty of Arts.
  • Have completed 6 credits of 300 or 400 level PSYC courses.

Sea Turtle and Sloth Conservation Project: Costa Rica

Program Overview

Eligibility Criteria

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.

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

Quelonios del Caribe is 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 and sloth conservation. Further tasks include, but are not limited to; monitoring of sloth activity, beach surveillance of turtle nests and nest data collection, aiding in the relocation of turtle nests, reparation of defenses, changing sand, and caring for hatchlings.

This placement will require a high degree of initiative and problem-solving – and will need to work closely with Quelonios del Caribe staff to figure out how to work toward 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
October 9, 2017 Program applications accepted until full OR until 11:59pm on Monday, October 9th, 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

Community-Level Environmental Impact Assessment: Costa Rica

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

Clean Community Water Systems – Analysis and Implementation: Costa Rica

Program Overview

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all UBC students. A background in engineering or health sciences encouraged.

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

Quelonios del Caribe is located in the community of Pacuare, on a sandy coastline which has a unique set of agricultural 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.

This placement will require a high degree of initiative and problem-solving – and will need to work closely with Quelonios del Caribe staff to figure out how to work toward 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 accommodations.

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

Financial Resources for Quality Education – Analysis & Collection: Nairobi, Kenya

Program Overview

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all UBC students from any faculty with an interest in special needs education. Business, medicine, and education-related majors encouraged to apply.

Partner Organization

Little Rock was founded in 2003 to fill a gap and address a great need for intervention during the most formative years for children ages 1 – 8 years old. Currently Little Rock –works with approximately 1,000 children of which 150 are children with special needs. The school’s target groups are orphans, those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as impoverished and special needs children. The children are educated, trained, and catered to by 30 qualified early childhood and primary teachers, 30 caregivers and a handful of administration staff.

Little Rock Academy is situated in Kibera, an informal settlement, in Nairobi Kenya.  The historical and current realities of living in an informal settlement mean that many families are living in absolute poverty.  The school itself began with humble beginnings, but through hard work, grants and fundraising, the founder Lily Oyare, has built a beautiful facility within Kibera.  In her words, every child deserves dignity and poverty or disability are no reasons for a poor education.

Project Description

Every year, Little Rock provides 1,000 children with education, as well as physical, emotional, and social support during their most formative years. With 150 special needs children participating in their programming, Little Rock often relies on grants and other sources of funding for access to necessary resources and equipment. Students in this role will work with Little Rock administrative staff to assess the financial needs of the organization, and pursue different funding options. Responsibilities will include research into public and private grant opportunities, preparation of proposals and applications, as well as identifying key organizational contacts for future needs. Ideal candidates have strong writing and computer skills as well as an interest in special needs and childhood education.

This placement will require a high degree of initiative and problem-solving – and will need to work closely with Little Rock staff to strategize working toward the vision for the program with very few resources. This will involve building effective relationships within the communities, developing a plan in collaboration with Little Rock staff, and developing strategies for these projects.

The aim of this internship is to provide assistance to Little Rock while learning about special needs education, social change, and community development in Kenya. 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 a host family in the Kibera neighborhood. In most cases, you will walk to the nearby school or take public transport to and from your placement.

Program Dates

Date Activity
October 9, 2017 Program applications accepted until full OR until 11:59pm on Monday, October 9th, 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
Kenya $3,900 – $4,400*

SOCI 435: Partnerships for Participatory Development

Program Overview

Eligibility Criteria

Students who have completed their second year of study at UBC. This program is open to both Arts and non-Arts students.

SOCI 435 has multiple components

  • Pre-departure learning program from January – April 2018
  • Seminars run on campus during Spring term, May 2018
  • 12 weeks of fieldwork in an International Service Learning placement from June- August 2018
  • Return seminar and final course-work on campus in September 2018
  • Post-placement re-entry debrief and International Development Symposium on campus in September – October 2018

Course Description

Partnerships for Participatory Development: An International Service Learning Course is a 6 credit course that provides an opportunity for students to better understand how applied research can promote social change, in this case by supporting the design, implementation, and assessment of development projects. Although ‘research’ is the focus, this course is not about the student as a researcher, or about the student’s research project. Rather, this course explores how social research can be employed in international projects for community-based development where collaboration and reciprocal learning are central to the research process. Learning is facilitated through a series of pre- and post-departure seminars and assignments. The seminars are designed to develop not only academic knowledge, but also skills that prepare participants for responsible service work: collaboration, critical reflection, and demonstration of an understanding of the difference between ‘charity’ and work oriented to global justice.

Placement Description

As a part of the SOCI 435 course, you will be enrolled in an International Service Learning placement. Specific placements will be located in Mexico, Bolivia, Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Uganda or other countries where ISL community partners are located. Specific options will be announced in the Winter term of 2017. Below are examples of previous placements for SOCI 435.

Uganda

Literacy & Community Development (Program Assessment)

Students worked with a rural community library to undertake an assessment of youth-based programming and to understand the effectiveness in meeting intended outcomes of leadership development, nutritional knowledge and readiness to take up vocational training. In addition, students participated in the implementation of particular library programming, such as the women’s literacy group, computer literacy workshops and primary school reading programs to fully understand the role of youth at the library and the strengths and challenges facing this group in their interactions with the library. Students also developed a report assessing youth programming and opportunities for the future.

Uganda

Literacy & Community Development (Program Development)

Students worked in a small community in the far west of Uganda at a young community library. They contributed to small-scale program development at the library by supporting library outreach to the surrounding community in the form of primary school reading programs, documenting library activities and supporting the creation and maintenance of a library database. The work involved collaborating closely with library staff to further integrate the community library into the fabric of the surrounding community and may include developing reports which can be utilized in securing resources to further realize the vision of the community library.

Placements for 2018 are currently being determined by host partners and program staff.

Living Environment

In Uganda, Kenya, India and Bolivia you will live with host families in modest conditions. In most cases, you will take public transport to and from your placement. In Mexico and Costa Rica you will live in hostel-style accommodations with modest living conditions on the placement site.

In most cases, you will take public transport to and from your placement.

Program Dates

Date Activity
January-April 2018 Orientation and pre-departure learning sessions (all successful applicants will be expected to be in attendance at all sessions)
January-April 2018 Sociology 435 seminar
Jun – Aug 2018 12 week International placement including a facilitated workshop approximately mid-way through (exact dates TBD)
Sep 2018 SOCI 435 Course – Post Placement seminar and assignments due (exact times TBD)
Sep – Oct 2018 ISL Post-placement reflection sessions and International Development Symposium.

**Please note these dates may be adjusted but will be confirmed prior to offer.

Program Costs

The cost* of this program may be funded by the ARA award. Please see the Awards & Eligibility section for more information. The costs below are per student and are yet to be fully determined, but will be within the following ranges.

Location Full program fee Fee with 70% ARA funding
Uganda $3700 – $4,000 $1,110 – $1,200
Kenya $3,900 – $4,400 $1,170 – $1,320
Mexico $4,600 – $4,800 $1,380 – $1,440
Costa Rica $4,600 – $4,800 $1,380 – $1,440
Bolivia $3,475-$3,975 $1,043 – $1,193
India $3,900-$4,400 $1,170 – $1,320

Students applying for the ARA award through SOCI 435 must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those listed under the Arts Research Abroad section.

  • Be within a qualifying major for the course (Sociology, International Relations, Political Science Major, or students from the Institute of Gender, Sexuality, Race, and Social Justice)

HIST 403: NGOs and Refugees in Uganda

Program Overview

Eligibility Criteria

This program is open to both Arts and non-Arts students who have completed 2nd year (54 credits) by January 2018.

HIST 403 has multiple components

  • Pre-departure learning program from January – April 2018
  • Seminars run on campus from January to April 2018
  • 12 weeks of fieldwork in an International Service Learning placement from late May – August 2018
  • Return seminar and final coursework on campus in September 2018
  • Re-entry debrief and International Development Symposium on campus in September – October 2018

Course Description

HIST 403 is a 3 credit course that will examine, within an analytical historical framework, the social and health dimensions of refugee movements to Uganda from neighbouring countries, particularly Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Sudan. Although the majority of refugees to Uganda in recent decades have arrived from outside the country, large numbers of Ugandans have also been refugees, both within their own country and in neighbouring areas as a result of the Ugandan civil war in the mid-1980s. The course will thus view Ugandans as both refugees as well as providers for neighbouring populations. Students will gain a contextual understanding of refugees in the framework of other forms of migration and social mobility within Uganda since 1972. Attention will be paid to the role refugees play in setting health agendas for the NGOs, health conditions in UNHCR camps, the success of NGOs and the Ugandan government in attending to the health needs of refugees, and the challenges of dealing with poverty and health in comprehensive ways in a country within the Global South.

HIST 403 satisfies the International Relations Seminar requirement for International Relations Majors in their final academic year. This course will be taught by Dr. Steven Lee.

Placement Description

As a part of the HIST 403 course, you will be enrolled in an International Service Learning placement. Specific placements will be announced in February-March 2018. Placements go from late May – August 2018. Below are examples of placements previously offered to students in the course:

Uganda

Sustainable Livelihood Development for People Living with HIV/AIDS

Students will collaborate with staff from the AIDS Support Organization (TASO) on a multi-year project aimed at creating a strategy and approach to implementing, monitoring and evaluating sustainable livelihood programs for the purpose of improving overall health. More specifically, students will work on the design of a sustainable livelihood pilot intervention program for a community in Uganda paying particular attention to the context of mobility and migration. The aim of this program is to ensure that the intervention is accessible to those who are marginalized and less likely to access this kind of support within their community.

Uganda

Health & Mobility

Students will work in the community of Lyantonde with the Salama Shield Foundation. Salama Shield is an organization that is focused on community development through interventions in the fields of health, income generation, access to clean water, nutrition, and skills education. Students will work alongside the organization and the health sector to strengthen the overall health system through initiatives such as the development of workshops and educational material on topics such as HIV, TB, malaria and reproductive health. These initiatives will impact other areas such as income generation and safe water activities. These activities are particularly relevant to this community as Lyantonde was the site of the very first known HIV outbreak in Uganda.

Living Environment

You will live with host families in modest conditions. In most cases, you will take public transport to and from your placement.

Program Dates

Date Activity
Dec 4, 2017 Program application is open and will close when full. Applications will be considered in the order they are received.
Jan – Apr 2018 Orientation and pre-departure learning sessions (all successful applicants will be expected to be in attendance at all sessions)
Jan – Apr, 2018 HIST 403 course
May – Aug 2018 12 week International placement including a facilitated workshop approximately mid-way through (exact dates TBD)
Sep 2018 HIST 403 course – Post Placement seminar and assignments due (exact dates TBD)
Sep – Oct 2018 ISL Post-placement reflection sessions and International Development Symposium.

**Please note these dates may be adjusted but will be confirmed prior to offer.

Program Costs

The cost* of this program may be funded by the ARA award. Please see the Awards & Eligibility section below for more information. The costs below are per student and are yet to be fully determined, but will be within the following ranges.

Location Full program fee Fee with 70% ARA funding
Uganda $3,900 – 4,400 $1,170 – $1,320

Students applying for the ARA award through HIST 403 must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those listed under the Arts Research Abroad section.

  • Be enrolled in a qualifying major for the course (History, Political Science, International Relations, Anthropology)