Kiyosato Educational Experiment Project (KEEP) internship – Luce Program (Kiyosato, Japan) January 12, 2009
Posted by cwslibrary in Asian studies, Japan, Japanese, Juniors, Luce, Summer 2009, advocacy, agriculture, community service, development, education, environment, sophomores.comments closed
Located in the Yatsugatake Highlands in Kiyosato, Yamanashi, Japan, KEEP is an economic and community development project rooted in Christian faith. The Kiyosato Educational Experiment Project (KEEP) began in 1938 as a Christian Camp and Leadership Center called Seisen Ryo. Incorporated 10 years later, KEEP was founded on four ideals: Food, Health, Faith, and Hope for Youth. KEEP introduced and encouraged dairy farming in 1947 as a viable solution for the local challenges of high altitude agriculture. KEEP continues promoting and teaching sustainable farming techniques to this day. Early projects at KEEP included establishing St. Andrew’s Church, a Nippon Sei Ko Kai parish (the Anglican Church in Japan); a rural health clinic; a community library; an experimental farm; an agricultural training school; and St. John’s Nursery School. Paul Rusch, KEEP’s founder, cast the vision of grassroots self-help community development and saw KEEP as a school for community leadership and democracy.
KEEP has grown to include environmental advocacy work and international outreach. KEEP provides a place for educational and cultural exchange between people of different backgrounds, languages, cultures, and religions to create and strengthen mutual ties dedicated to community development. KEEP has annually welcomed trainees and college interns from outside Japan since 1982. Students have come from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. In 1988, KEEP initiated a community development project in Tulgao, a mountain village in the northern Philippines, including agricultural, medical, and educational aspects.
KEEP aims to realize a sustainable society existing in harmony with nature. The initial activities envisioned by Paul Rusch have evolved over decades. But the mission has remained constant: to offer program participants and visitors alike a new perspective, a stronger spirituality, a deeper cultural understanding, a richer appreciation for the ties that bind all people, and an opportunity to learn valuable agricultural, environmental, and community building skills.
KEEP provides programming for all ages from preschool children to seniors. Both Japanese and international visitors can enroll in educational programs on the environment, farming, and cross-cultural understanding in day programs or overnight camps. Last fiscal year, more than 32,400 people participated in educational programs at KEEP. Over 130,350 people visited KEEP’s 3 museums. Approximately 1 million tourists visited KEEP during the year. The annual Paul Rusch Festival in October regularly attracts 50,000 fairgoers during the weekend. KEEP’s impact is not limited to Japan, but reaches worldwide as international visitors return home and share the knowledge gained at KEEP.
Internship Description:
Interns in the Environmental Education Department will assist KEEP staff with program development and implementation. Summer season is very busy in the Yatsugatake Highland with many people visiting our nature museums. Interns will assist museum staff and learn about KEEP’s approach to promoting environmental stewardship. KEEP offers visitors experiential programs to connect them with nature, thereby inspiring people to work to preserve and protect the environment. Duties will include assisting programs held in the forest and fields on KEEP property. Same sex dorm accommodations with other KEEP staff and interns.
Ideal Internship Qualification:
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Logistical: Japanese helpful, but not required. An interest and/or background in cross cultural work, environmental education, and non-profit work desired. Must enjoy working outdoors. Should be able to on hike on a trail of moderate level difficulty. |
Personality: Flexibility and patience will enhance an interns experience as you encounter a cross cultural working atmosphere. An eagerness to learn about Japanese work styles and an easy going approach to new situations helpful. Works well both in groups and individually. |
The Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS) – Wellesley in Latin America Program (Costa Rica) November 14, 2008
Posted by cwslibrary in Costa Rica, Juniors, Summer 2009, Wellesley Internships in Latin America, biology, environment, research, science, sophomores.comments closed
The Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS) is a consortium of dozens of leading universities in both the US and Latin America devoted to scientific and environmental research, based in Costa Rica. OTS runs 3 world-class biological stations: La Selva, Palo Verde and Las Cruces.
La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge, as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations for the improvement of natural resources management. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rain forest. Over 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site. La Selva is located at the confluence of two major rivers in the Caribbean lowlands of northern Costa Rica; La Selva comprises 1,600 hectares (3,900 acres) of tropical wet forests and disturbed lands. It averages 4 meters (over 13 feet!) of rainfall that is concentrated in rainy season. Located within the tropical and premontane wet forest, the Station has about 73% of its area under primary tropical rain forest.
Internship Possibilities:
One or two interns will conduct fieldwork with Dr. Robin Chazdon and her team of field assistants and graduate students. All projects focus on aspects of secondary forest regeneration in long-term monitoring plots in La Selva and surrounding areas. One project is led by doctoral student Amanda Wendt, who is conducting research on foraging behavior, roosting sites, and seed dispersal by frugivorous tent-making bats in secondary and mature forest areas. Students will assist with locating bat roosts and mapping and monitoring bat-dispersed seedlings and fruiting trees. A second project is led by doctoral student Vanessa Boukili, who is studying functional traits of leaves and wood of trees, saplings, and seedlings in secondary and mature forest study sites in La Selva and surrounding areas. Interns will help with sampling leaf and wood tissue and processing samples in the lab. Dr. Chazdon is usually at La Selva during the first week of the internship to help coordinate the projects and provide orientation and will return in August for 1-2 weeks. In addition to these projects, interns can also help with the annual census of trees in our study plots, including mapping of recent recruits and measuring tree diameters. If students are interested, there may be additional opportunities to participate in a reforestation project on a farm in the region and to assist with inventories of plants in a range of study areas.
Ideal Internship Qualification:
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Logistical: Current Sophomores and Juniors Biological science majors with completed coursework in tropical ecology are encouraged to apply; natural science majors Physically fit and able to endure heat, humidity and rough living conditions Ability to ride a bicycle for considerable distance At least rudimentary knowledge of Spanish language is required.
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Personality: Detail oriented Motivated Flexible Trouble-shooter Independent
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Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust (VCHT) – Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust Internship November 13, 2008
Posted by cwslibrary in Juniors, Spanish, Summer 2009, Vieques, Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust Internship, biology, environment, preservation, research, sophomores, sports/recreation.comments closed
During this ten week internship, the student will work for the Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust (VCHT) (http://www.vcht.com/) to help promote and carry out its mission to develop a community actively involved in the protection of the environment.
The Island of Vieques, only 21 miles long and 5 miles across at its widest point, is located 10 miles off the eastern shore of Puerto Rico. Although it is the poorest of all 78 municipalities in Puerto Rico, the island is dedicated to protecting and preserving its natural resources, one of which includes the most abundant bioluminescent bay in the world. The VCHT operates several educational and research programs that benefit the Vieques community, including programs to educate children and young people about the importance of natural resources. You can see some pictures and videos of their work in their website www.vcht.com.
Internship Description
The intern’s projects may include but are not limited to the following:
- snorkeling under the guidance of VCHT staff to collect marine and freshwater specimens
- maintaining tanks for marine exhibits
- researching a project on light pollution
- leading children in group educational activities
- assisting with computer and photography projects
- maintaining and updating the exhibition space
- Computer room assistance
- Editing and organizing video and photographic archives
- Laboratory and field monitoring work
- Beach cleanups, recycling and planting activities
- Creation of environmental awareness posters and art
- Participation in fairs and excursions
The ideal candidate needs to possess the following qualities and skill sets:
- An interest in biology, marine life, and the environment (At least one college level biology course is required.)
- Working knowledge of Spanish with a strong emphasis on oral skills
- A passion for and ability to connect with the community, and work with especially the children as a part of the educational outreach
- Ability to swim
- Physically able individual as lifting and paddling kayaks will be a routine occurrence
- Highly organized
- Strong visionary outlook, takes initiative
- A self-starter who is highly aware of her surroundings and can adapt and contribute when necessary
Ideal Internship Qualification:
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Logistical: Current Sophomores and Juniors Physically able to swim and snorkel. Able to lift heavy equipment. Spanish language skills a big plus.
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Personality: Flexible Motivated Open minded Detail oriented Highly Organized Self starter |
ARI Asian Rural Institute – Luce Program (Japan) November 3, 2008
Posted by cwslibrary in Asian studies, Japan, Japanese, Juniors, Luce, Summer 2009, advocacy, agriculture, development, environment, sociology, sophomores.comments closed
ARI is an international training center set on a 6 hectare farm in Northern Japan where rural leaders from developing countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific are invited to study for nine months in sustainable, organic agriculture techniques, community development, and leadership. At the end of the program in December, participants return home to implement programs that will create healthier, more sustainable, more independent villages and communities. A truly vibrant learning community, ARI hosts representatives from over 15 different countries with English used as the common language. Christian in inspiration, but ecumenical in practice, ARI welcomes people of all faiths, races, classes, and professions to learn and work together.
Internship Description:
Interns and volunteers are an integral part of the ARI community. Working alongside our participants and staff, they serve in a support role to the training program. They live simply and work humbly and grow as individuals in the unique multicultural environment that is ARI.
Interns must be ready for challenges and physically demanding work. Each intern will be assigned to a section on the farm, in meal service, in food processing, or in the office. ARI is a completely self-sustaining community that does not revolve around a typical nine to five schedule. All ARI community members start work at 6:30 in the morning and often work on Saturday mornings. Despite the long hours, working at ARI is a lot of fun, with the chance to make lasting friendships and have a meaningful impact on our international community.
Ideal Internship Qualification:
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Logistical: Academic interests should include one or more of the following: sustainable agriculture, environmental studies, international relations, Japanese language and culture, social justice issues, religious studies, women’s studies. |
Personality: An ideal candidate does not need previous farm experience, but should welcome new challenges, such as living and working simply, living within a vast diversity of cultures, ideas, and mentalities, and maintaining an attitude of sharing and service for others. |
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF): LUCE China – Beijing December 9, 2007
Posted by cwslibrary in Beijing, China, Juniors, Luce, Summer 2008, environment, sophomores.1 comment so far
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
LUCE China – Beijing
Organization Description:
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the worlds largest and most respected independent organizations dedicated to the conservation of nature. WWF has been active in China on nature conservation since 1980, when it was invited by Chinese government as the first international NGO to the work on panda conservation. In 1996, WWF opened its Beijing office and has since established a presence in eight additional cities in China. Today, WWF-China has 80 staff working on conservation programmes, including species, forests, freshwater, marine, climate change and energy, education for sustainable development, and scientific development and international policy.
Internship Description:
The intern at WWF will have the opportunity to focus on one or more of the following areas:
Communications: The intern will work with programme staff to develop and implement communication strategies for specific programmes, such as the Species Programmes. The intern will also develop a wide base of knowledge of the organization by providing support in compiling newsletters and reports for targeted stakeholders.
External Relations: WWF China is expanding its cooperation with various and unconventional partners, including NGOs, foundations, banks, and international development agencies. The intern will develop and analyze a roadmap of these organizations, along with a report suggesting areas for possible cooperation. Working closely with programme staff the intern will identify the main organizations, establish connections, and develop dialogues. The intern will help strengthen relations with the partners, with a specific focus on the interaction between partners on international and domestic debates, particularly in the field of climate change.
Service Delivery: WWF China Programme is developing a proposal database and a project database. The intern will help improve both databases so that they can better serve the conservation programmes and the fundraising efforts of WWF China. The intern will organize and coordinate a study tour in the field of freshwater conservation.
Ideal Internship Qualification:
| Logistical: Knowledge/concern for environmental issues Knowledge of biodiversity |
Personality: Motivated Flexible Eager to learn Able to work with people of different cultures |
ARI Asian Rural Institute: Luce Program – Japan December 4, 2007
Posted by cwslibrary in Japan, Japanese, Juniors, Luce, Summer 2008, agriculture, environment, international relations, linguistic, peace and justice studies, sophomores, women.1 comment so far
Rice fields at ARI
ARI Asian Rural Institute
Luce Program – Japan
ARI is an international training center set on a 6 hectare farm in Northern Japan where rural leaders from developing countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific are invited to study at ARI for nine months in sustainable, organic agriculture techniques, community development, and leadership. At the end of the program in December, participants return home to implement programs that will create healthier, more sustainable, and more independent villages and societies. A truly vibrant learning community, ARI hosts representatives from over 15 different countries with English used as the common language. Christian in inspiration, but ecumenical in practice, ARI welcomes people of all faiths, races, classes, and professions to learn and work together.
Internship Description:
Interns and volunteers are an integral part of the ARI community, growing alongside our participants and staff. Our dedicated interns support the training of our participants by living and working at ARI. They live simply and work humbly, offering them a chance to grow as individuals, as leaders and as valuable community members.
ARI interns must be ready for challenges and physically demanding work. Interns will be assigned to a work section in livestock, crops and vegetables, meal service, food processing, or office work. ARI is a completely self-sustaining community that does not revolve around a typical nine to five schedule. Interns sometimes start work at 6:30 in the morning and often work on Saturday mornings. Despite all the hard work, working at ARI is a lot of fun, with the chance to make lasting friendships and have a large impact on our international community.
ARI interns and participants live simply in a very diverse community, which can sometimes be frustrating. While interns are a crucial part of ARI, they serve in a purely supportive role, often putting the needs of others before themselves.
Ideal Internship Qualification:
| Logistical: Academic interest include agriculture, environmental studies, international relations, Japanese, linguistic studies, peace and justice issues, religious studies, and women’s studies. |
Personality: An ideal candidate does not need previous farm experience, but should welcome new challenges, such as living and working simply, living with a vast diversity of cultures, ideas, and mentalities, and contributing to the training program in a supportive role. |
The Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS): Wellesley in Costa Rica Program December 1, 2007
Posted by cwslibrary in Costa Rica, Juniors, Summer 2008, Wellesley in Costa Rica, biology, environment, research, science, sophomores.2 comments
Wellesley in Costa Rica Program (WICR)
The Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS) is a consortium of dozens of leading universities in both the US and Latin America devoted to scientific and environmental research, based in Costa Rica. OTS runs 3 world-class biological stations: La Selva, Palo Verde and Las Cruces.
La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge, as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations for the improvement of natural resources management. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rain forest. Over 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site. La Selva is located at the confluence of two major rivers in the Caribbean lowlands of northern Costa Rica; La Selva comprises 1,600 hectares (3,900 acres) of tropical wet forests and disturbed lands. It averages 4 meters (over 13 feet!) of rainfall that is concentrated in rainy season. Located within the tropical and premontane wet forest, the Station has about 73% of its area under primary tropical rain forest.
An intern (or potentially two) will work with Dr. Robin Chazdon and her team on two research projects. Both projects focus on aspects of secondary forest regeneration at long-term research plots in La Selva and surrounding areas. One project is led by doctoral student Amanda Wendt, who will be conducting preliminary research on foraging behavior, roosting sites, and seed dispersal by frugivorous bats in secondary forest plots. Students will assist with netting bats, locating roosts and making observations on foraging behavior. A project related to Amanda’s study would be to map seedlings of selected bat-dispersed tree species around roost locations within the plots. There may be potentially other projects, depending on the need at the time of arrival at OTS. Dr. Chazdon is usually at La Selva during the first week of the internship to help coordinate the projects and provide orientation and will return in August for 1-2 weeks.
Ideal Internship Qualification:
| Logistical: Current Sophomores and Juniors Biological science majors with completed coursework in tropical ecology are encouraged to apply; natural science majors Phisically fit and able to endure heat, humidity and rough living conditions Spanish language optional |
Personality: Detail oriented Motivated Flexible |
