Dr. Miguel Karian Experiential Learning in ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’ A Costa Rican Case-Study 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. Earth Education International, Costa Rica Offerings:  Condensed Semester abroad in ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’  Thematic short courses  Customized ‘study tours’ with partner institutions (program provider) Field Study, Service, & Cultural Immersion

Environmental Factors Socio- Personal Factors Economic Factors ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’ Earth Education International, Costa Rica

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

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

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

Local Community Benefits GOALS:  Provide economic support to sustainable initiatives  Direct payment for services, widest distribution possible Earth Education International, Costa Rica Local Economic Benefits Faculty & staff salariesTransportation costs Host university feesEntrance & visit fees Hotels & mealsCopy center services Student homestay fees Direct Local Expenditures: 92% International travel Non-Local Academic credit Travel insurance

Socio- Personal Factors Sustainability: Socio-Personal Earth Education International, Costa Rica Student & host community effort vs. Benefit to student, local & home communities

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

Local Partner Universities  University of San José  University of Costa Rica Past Spring Semester Group at the 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 Community Partners Earth Education International, Costa Rica

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

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

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

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

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

Sustainability Assessment Inventory

Earth Education International, Costa Rica 4. Buildings Office, classrooms 2. Transportation Vehicles, mass transit 3. Community Integration Lodging & food, partners 1. Office Resources Paper, electricity, other 5. Special Initiatives Carbon & Community program, other 6. Education & Outreach Program design, community, participants

Sources: Earth Education International, Costa Rica EMISSION COMPONENT 10 DAY COURSE 2 WEEK COURSE SEMESTER PROGRAM Flight (KC-SJO).75 tonnes Ground Transport.07 tonnes.10 tonnes.21 tonnes Daily Activities.039 tonnes.054 tonnes.24 tonnes TOTAL0.86 tonnes0.91 tonnes1.21 tonnes EQUIV U.S. STUDENT RATE (14.25 tonnes/yr) 0.39 tonnes0.55 tonnes2.97 tonnes CONCLUSION: An EEI semester participant will cut their CO 2 emissions BY MORE THAN half compared to staying in the U.S. Carbon Emissions/Person by Offering

Reforestation Activity Carbon & Community Program Earth Education International, Costa Rica  One tree per person planted will offset emissions in: Short course: 1-2 years Semester: 3-4 years  EEI’s emissions to date = 15 tonnes, 6 tonnes sequestered  At current rates, EEI carbon-neutral between 2016 & 2019 Based on conservative estimate of 22Kg (50lbs) CO2/tree/year absorption rate for tropical trees ( Tree-Planting in community conservation project (2005)

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

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

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

Summary: Our Mission Earth Education International, Costa Rica 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

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

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Our Mission Earth Education International, Costa Rica Sustainable Global Stewardship

 Direct participant cost  Community benefits  Participant benefits  Community integration  Partner/field site selection  Participant education/support  Program design  Program operation  Participant lifestyle Economic Factors Environmental Factors Socio-Personal Factors Summary: Sustainability Factors Earth Education International, Costa Rica