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Dr. Miguel Karian

Experiential Learning in ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’ A Costa Rican Case-Study. Dr. Miguel Karian. Earth Education International, Costa Rica. www.EarthEdIntl.org. Earth Education International, Costa Rica. About Us.

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Dr. Miguel Karian

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  1. Experiential Learning in ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’ A Costa Rican Case-Study Dr. Miguel Karian Earth Education International, Costa Rica www.EarthEdIntl.org

  2. Earth Education International, Costa Rica About Us Description: An experiential learning organization providing interdisciplinary course and program offerings in sustainability. We work in partnership with academic institutions globally, and support and promote sustainable initiatives locally. Offerings: • Condensed Semester abroad in ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’ • Thematic short courses • Customized ‘study tours’ with partner institutions (program provider) Field Study, Service, & Cultural Immersion

  3. Earth Education International, Costa Rica ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’ EconomicFactors Socio-PersonalFactors EnvironmentalFactors

  4. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Sustainability: Economics EconomicFactors Direct economic costs vs.Personal & societal benefits

  5. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Participant Costs Economic costs compared to: 1. Similar other programs 2. Staying at home Sample 3 Month Costs • Housing • Food • Tuition • Commuting • Travel • Insurance • Other $1,800 $1,200 $3,800 $400 $400 $200 $200 ($600) ($400) Community Orchid Garden Visit

  6. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Participant Benefits • GOALS: • Cost: Accessibility & value • Substantial ‘class’ time in the field • Integrated service- learning • Comparative educational travel • Academic credit • Cultural immersion • Improved skills & self-confidence Classification of Tropical Rainforest Plant Diversity

  7. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Local Community Benefits • GOALS: • Provide economic support to sustainable initiatives • Direct payment for services, widest distribution possible International travel Direct Local Expenditures: 92%

  8. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Sustainability: Socio-Personal Student & host community effortvs. Benefit to student, local & home communities Socio-PersonalFactors

  9. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Community Integration/Outreach 1. Relationship between provider & local community • Well-established • Mutually-beneficial 2. Local outreach of provider • Setting an example • Informal education • Formal presentations Field Site Presentation: Community Ecotourism& Solar Energy

  10. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Community Partners Local Partner Universities • University of San José • University of Costa Rica Field & Volunteer Sites • Government agencies • Community initiatives • Sustainable businesses Lodging • Homestay families • Locally-owned (eco-) hotels Support Services • Local cafeteria & copy center Past Spring Semester Group at the University of Costa Rica

  11. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Participant Benefits GOALS: Educate, facilitate, support • Skills development: Hands-onlearning, cultural competence, language acquisition/ improvement • Demonstrate importanceof community/volunteerism • Provide motivational experiences • Preparation, guidance, personal assistance &re-entry facilitation (logistical & motivational) Community Volunteer Work

  12. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Local Community Benefits GOALS: Socio-personal support & community integration with local socially-responsible initiatives & businesses • Partner/field sites selection: • Support local efforts • Community-based • Socially & gender-equitable • Motivational for hosts (as well as participants) Service-Learning Work at a Local Organic Farm

  13. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Sustainability: Environmental Immediate environmental impact vs. Long-term benefit for environment & society EnvironmentalFactors

  14. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Environmental: Program Design Environmental costs compared to: 1. Similar other programs 2. Staying at home • A. Program design & operation • Materials: 3 R’s • Electricity: Source & use • Fuel: Transportation X X X X X X X X EEI X Pedestrian-Friendly Program Design in San Ramón

  15. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Participant Lifestyle • B. Participant lifestyle • Accommodation (shared vs. individual) • Food, water, goods consumed • Personal transport (amount & type) “Think Globally, Eat Locally”

  16. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Sustainability Assessment Inventory

  17. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Sustainability Assessment Inventory 1. Office ResourcesPaper, electricity, other 2. Transportation Vehicles, mass transit 3. Community IntegrationLodging & food, partners 4. Buildings Office, classrooms 5. Special Initiatives Carbon & Community program, other 6. Education & OutreachProgram design, community, participants

  18. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Carbon Emissions/Person by Offering CONCLUSION: An EEI semester participant will cut their CO2 emissions BY MORE THAN half compared to staying in the U.S. Sources: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2009/sep/02/carbon-emissions-per-person-capita; http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx; http://www.chooseclimate.org/flying/mapcalc.html

  19. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Carbon & Community Program Tree-Planting in community conservation project (2005) • EEI’s emissions to date = 15 tonnes, 6 tonnes sequestered • At current rates, EEI carbon-neutral between 2016 & 2019 • One tree per person planted will offset emissions in:Short course: 1-2 yearsSemester: 3-4 years Based on conservative estimate of 22Kg (50lbs) CO2/tree/year absorption rate for tropical trees(http://www.carbonify.com/carbon-calculator.htm;http://greenworld.org/what-we-do/our-practices) Reforestation Activity

  20. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Carbon & Community Program • Tree-Planting in local community conservation project • Carbon offset • Watershed conservation • Biological corridor improvement • Community participation • Motivational: Sharing a common vision for the future Reforestation Activity

  21. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Local (& Global) Community Benefits GOALS: Environmental protection & mitigation, support for environmentally-friendly initiatives & businesses Reforestation Activity & Ceremony

  22. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Summary: Sustainability Factors Economic Factors • Accessibility & value to participants • Economic support for local community Environmental Factors • Educate & motivate participants • Direct & indirect ‘glocal’ action Socio-Personal Factors • Participants: Facilitate & support • Socially-responsible community integration

  23. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Summary: Our Mission To empower individuals and communities to take action in their personal and collective lives in helping to contribute to a sustainable, equitable, and peaceful future

  24. Earth Education International, Costa Rica For More Information… www.EarthEdIntl.org • Field Study & Service-Learning MediaBlog • Sustainability Assessment Inventory • Sustainable Living Links • Offerings & Sample Customized ‘Study Tours’ (partner provider services) Dr. Miguel Karianmkarian@EarthEdIntl.org

  25. Earth Education International, Costa Rica For More Information… www.EarthEdIntl.org Questions? Dr. Miguel Karianmkarian@EarthEdIntl.org

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