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 Description
Earth Education International (EEI) is an experiential learning organization in Costa Rica providing interdisciplinary course and program offerings related to sustainability, environmental studies and social responsibility. We work in partnership with educational institutions globally, and support and promote sustainable initiatives locally.
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. To that end, we provide high-quality personalized hands-on learning through extensive field study, volunteer service-learning work, and cultural immersion. Offerings include a a semester abroad program and a variety of courses in themes related to 'Sustainable Global Stewardship'. All offerings are open to participants worldwide, and
academic credit is available.
Goals
The following specific goals facilitate the mission of EEI:
1. Provide interdisciplinary international experiences that encourage self-confidence, personal growth, individual responsibility, and a sense of identity as a member of the global community.
2. Promote international and multi-cultural understanding, and improve individuals' ability to function effectively in another environment, culture, and language.
3. Facilitate an increased appreciation of human and ecological diversity, local-global connections, and personal motivations to implement sustainable living practices.
4. Provide outreach and networking among individuals, communities, and organizations involved in sustainability efforts and international experiential learning.
5. Improve local, regional, and global environmental quality and social-equity through supporting and empowering positive personal and collective change.
Sustainability
Beyond teaching the ideas and principals of sustainability, we believe that it is important that programs also represent, in themselves, models in action. Thus, we lead by example through community integration and by supporting local environmentally-friendly and socially-responsible initiatives whenever possible. One such example is our 'Carbon & Community' program. We are also guided by the principal that 'small is beautiful' in building local economies. Other than our own office, all support facilities are provided by the local community: Classroom space, housing, copy center, and cafeteria. All are within a few blocks of one another, and our office, so as to be pedestrian-friendly for all day-to-day activities. For a complete list of EEI's sustainability efforts, see our Sustainability Assessment Inventory (Word document). General sustainable living resources are available here.
Logo
The EEI logo is a compilation of various symbols which represent our vision for a sustainable future. The holistic and international nature of our work is symbolized by the outer circle, which also represents planet Earth at its average 23.5 degree axial tilt (as identified by the equatorial center line). The converging contours at the lower left represent the seven continents/seas which symbolically unite and move forward (East) to a higher level as one, the number one being represented by the only true angle of the logo in the upper right. The number of contours (seven) is also regarded as a spiritual number, representing the inner-self of each of us (preceded by the cardinal directions of East, South, West, and North; as well as up and down). In addition, seven is regarded as the number of generations that we must look ahead in considering the consequences of our actions. The direction of East, to which the arrow points, is the direction of new beginnings, characterized by the rising sun of each new day. Also included is the symbol for ecology, angled to the left (a circle with a horizontal line), as well as signs of peace (angled to the right). These images are in perfect equilibrium in the logo, illustrating the importance of inner and outer balance in life in general, and between nature and human society in particular.
Staff
Earth Education International is a relatively small, personalized organization. It is administered primarily by Dr. Miguel Karian with the assistance of other professionals and office staff as needed. Our work is also supported by a network of organizations that provide logistical support at both the international and local levels. Principal staff include the following:
Miguel Karian, Ed.D.; Founder, Director & Instructor
Dr. Karian has been leading study abroad programs in Costa Rica since 1996 (see testimonials on the 'Alumni' page). Prior to founding and directing EEI, he created and worked as Program Director and Associate Professor for the St. Cloud State University Environmental Field Studies Program in San Ramón, Costa Rica, and directed the St. Cloud State University Spanish/Latin American Studies Program in San José, Costa Rica. He holds a Doctorate of Education in Technology, Environmental Education, and Sociology from Arizona State University, and has over 20 years of interdisciplinary teaching experience in Departments of Environmental Studies, Cultural Science, Sociology, Technology, and Industrial Education at the university, community college, and secondary-school levels in California, Arizona, and Minnesota (U.S.A.). Dr. Karian is multicultural. His primary ethnicity is Armenian-American, and he is a 'global nomad'* who has lived in Thailand, Nigeria, Kenya, Jordan, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the United States. He speaks English, Spanish and varying degrees of other languages. In addition to Directing EEI, Dr. Karian facilitates cross-cultural training and teaches interdisciplinary courses in his areas of expertise: Environmental studies (social science), sustainability, deep ecology, community development, service-learning, appropriate technology, and renewable energies. Miguel's interests include travel, multiculturalism, poetry, voluntary simplicity, and nature immersion.
*A 'global nomad,' or 'third culture kid (TCK) ' is someone who has spent their formative years in more
than
one culture, and thus has an international/multicultural sense of belonging.
Roberto A. Cordero Solórzano, Ph.D; Tropical Ecosystems Instructor
Dr. Cordero holds a Ph.D. from the University of Puerto Rico in plant ecophysiology, and Masters and Bachelors degrees in Biology from the University of Costa Rica. He is currently a professor at the National Autonomous University (UNA), in Heredia, Costa Rica, where he teaches botany and plant physiology in the Department of Biological Sciences. Dr. Cordero also teaches courses in tropical ecology, field biology and general ecology for both Costa Rican and foreign students, and has taught similar courses for other universities and organizations. His current research includes plant ecophysiology of native trees and blackberry cultivation in the Costa Rican highlands. He has also researched physiological and architectural adaptations of plants in the elfin cloud forest in Puerto Rico, seasonal dry forest in Panama, and North American Rhododendrons in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia and Cascade mountains of Oregon in the U.S.A. Roberto has lived in Costa Rica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.A., and speaks Spanish and English fluently, as well as some French. His interests include photography, stamp collecting, and dance.
Mayra Herra, M.A.; Costa Rica Culture Instructor
Mrs. Herra holds a Masters degree in Linguistics from the University of Costa Rica, as well as Licensure and Bachelor Degrees in Spanish Philology. She is also in the process of completing her Doctorate in Society and Culture Studies at the University Of Costa Rica. Mrs. Herra has more than 2o year's experience coordinating and teaching in study abroad programs in Costa Rica, and is a retired administrator and professor of Spanish, Latin American Literature, and Communications from the University of Costa Rica. When not teaching for Earth Education International she continues to coordinate and teach in other study abroad programs. Mrs. Herra is Costa Rican, but has also lived in the United States. She speaks Spanish and English fluently.
Adriana Castro Mora, M.S.; Spanish Instructor
Mrs. Castro has been teaching Spanish to foreign students in Costa Rica since 1999. In addition to teaching for Earth Education International, she works with Linfield College (Oregon), the University of New Orleans (Louisiana), and the University Studies Abroad Consortium. She has also taught Spanish as a Second Language at Northern Arizona University in the United States. Adriana holds a Masters degree in Education with emphasis in Spanish from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, and a Bachelors degree in Spanish Grammar and Literature from the University of Costa Rica. Adriana is Costa Rican and speaks Spanish, English, and some Danish. Her interests include reading, meeting new people, and traveling when possible.
Ana Patricia Ramirez, B.S.; Homestay Coordinator
Mrs. Ramirez coordinates homestay placements for EEI students and assists with other logistics. Having been raised in San Ramón, she is intimately familiar with the community and families that host our students. She has worked for the University of Costa Rica in San Ramón for 27 years in charge of the Scholarship Office and Information Technology Office, as well as working as Secretary in the Department of Natural Sciences and in the Directors Office. Her tenure at the University includes more than 10 years of experience coordinating homestay placements. Mrs. Ramirez also has first-hand experience, having hosted students in her own home. She holds bachelors degrees in Biology from the University of Costa Rica and Business Administration from Issac Newton University. Her interests include singing with the chorus group 'University Voices,' and she has traveled throughout Costa Rica, as well as to France and Argentina.
Visiting Faculty, Guest Lecturers & Support Staff
A diverse pool of highly-qualified visiting faculty also complement the EEI staff. These professors either represent partner institutions in other countries, or are contracted locally as appropriate. They teach and/or assist with course offerings in their area of expertise. In addition, guest presentations are often provided by local specialists during field study visits, and other support staff assist with logistical planning as necessary.
Educational Partnerships
EEI offerings are implemented in cooperation with a worldwide network of educational partners. These institutions and organizations share similar goals in providing quality interdisciplinary experiential learning opportunities. This mutually-beneficial relationship includes information exchange, logistical in-country support, program referrals to participants, inter-institutional promotion and web page links, faculty exchanges, cooperation on grant proposals, and/or other projects of common interest. If your organization is interested in such a partnership, please contact us. Current EEI partnerships include:
Professional Affiliations
EEI affiliates with and/or supports the following professional organizations, which support similar goals through professional networks. This includes resource sharing, conference attendance, networking, and other
professional development opportunities. Affiliations include:
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© Copyright, Earth Education International, 2010
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