Spain environmental project usf internship proposal

Environmental Awareness Project in Ibiza, Spain

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Introduction to Greenheart Travel Greenheart Travel is personally invested in providing cultural immersion programs that change lives, advance careers and create leaders. Our organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to connecting people and planet to create a more peaceful and sustainable global community.

We provide others with the same positive travel experiences in which we ourselves engage. Through travel and cultural exchange, we help individuals reach their full potential, leading to a more tolerant, peaceful and environmentally sustainable world.

Greenheart Travel’s Values 

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A Commitment to the Environment: As the leading eco-friendly exchange organization, we are passionate about helping travelers explore the globe while respecting the environment and cultural heritage of the destinations they explore.

Our Carbon Offset Program: We donate a portion of your program fee to offset the carbon emissions your trip abroad will create, as well as donate to our environmentally-focused volunteer program partners to help them complete specific project goals. Check out how our past carbon offset donations have been put to good use: Creating Sustainability Within Our International Communities: We believe in supporting our travelers to make a positive impact in their host communities. The Greenheart Club is just one way we can help you promote green practices while traveling abroad through Greenheart Grant funding and community support.

Connecting with Our Local Chicago Community: Greenheart Travel plays an active role in community initiatives, informative workshops, and fundraisers to help others learn how to travel for a change in our hometown of Chicago, Illinois.

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Environmental Awareness Project in Ibiza, Spain We achieve the above goals and values by partnering with organizations and governments overseas that empower their local communities through experiential learning and practical development. One such partnership is with Casita Verde, our permaculture & environmental center in Ibiza.

History of Program The founder of Casita Verde, Chris Dews, was born in England in 1953, Chris moved to Ibiza after spending 13 years travelling the world with the British Navy. Jaded by the direction of society and the global environment, Chris decided he wanted to change his life and make a difference.

In 1993, he founded what became the Casita Verde ecology center, located on a rented farm property he visited with friends on vacation. His original vision was to create the whole island of Ibiza into a sustainable and globally-minded project. In 1996, Greenheart Ibiza became a registered NGO with the Spanish government under the name Ascociación Ibiza Ecologica. Since 1996, the original small farm has been gradually transformed by volunteers into nearly 14 acre fully-functional ecological education facility.

Topic of Project Greenheart Travel’s Casita Verde (Green House) is an experiential eco-education center that showcases the best practices for sustainable living and alternative energies. The 14 acres of working farm land powered by wind and solar energy and it stands as a functioning example of green practices, as well as a leader in educating the community on how to make sustainable choices.

Casita Verde is designed to encompass the skills of many people from all walks of life who are committed to showcasing alternative techniques of sustainable living. Participants are encouraged to undertake the tasks they feel most at ease with, and work on projects that best utilize their skills. It is this symbiotic relationship that expands our international network of professionals.

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Location in Spain Ibiza, Spain is a vacation destination in Europe notorious for “spring break” type trips. Situated in a beautiful valley near the village of San Jose, Casita Verde is not located near any of the main tourist areas and you will not be interacting with many of these types of vacationers. You will spend each day soaking in the warm Mediterranean sun with a beautiful view of the ocean.

Intern Responsibilities Spend your days working on the farm, expanding production of alternative energy systems, cleaning up nearby beaches and promoting environmental awareness. You’ll learn environmentally responsible skills and techniques by actively living a sustainable lifestyle.       

Maintain and improve the farm facilities Harvesting aloe vera & fresh produce from the farm Installing alternative energy systems Promote environmental awareness among visitors Cooking organic food for visiting groups Permaculture farming Assist with Sunday community visits/meals

Example Weekly Itinerary Projects normally run 5 days per week, with one or two days free per week for relaxing or sightseeing.

Casita Verde hosts an open house every Sunday, which interns are expected to help with. Project hours are from 8am – 4pm daily, although this varies for some projects when required by seasonal conditions or project activities. Also keep in mind that Spanish culture often has a slower pace of life with a siesta in the middle of the day

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Staff Involved in the Program

Chris Dews Director & Founder of Casita Verde. A passionate, energetic and hard-working individual, Chris Dews is the heart of Casita Verde and director of Greenheart’s operations in Ibiza. He is certainly someone our volunteers learn from and leave with a deep respect for. When asked why he started the site he states “I wanted to turn my personal home into a place where visitors would learn a little bit about intentional living. I want people to take away good ideas about how to make their own life more ecological and show them that these small changes are within reach for every one of us.”

Alain Brouste Head of water, kitchen and geobiologist. Always independent, he collaborated for more than a decade with a famous French publisher as a motorbike & car journalist, 3D modeler and computer graphics illustrator, marketing products designer. His nickname is Gandalf!

Megan Arzbaecher Born and raised in the Midwest, Megan studied History and International Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She also participated in a 4 month around-the-world educational program with Semester at Sea, which opened her eyes to the need for culturally conscious education and global sustainability. Megan will be your program manager at Greenheart Travel and will be the primary contact prior to your departure for Spain, as well as your main coordinator for the internship program. All communication, questions and processing for your paperwork will go through Megan.

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What is it like in Spain?

Ibiza has a mild climate. August is the hottest month with an average temperature of 78.8°F and the coldest is January at 53.6°F. The wettest month is October with an average of 54mm of rain. Check the weather before you start packing so you can make sure you bring the appropriate items!

You should be prepared to alter your daily routine and lifestyle. Spain is different in many ways – climate, culture, road conditions etc. You should be prepared to interact with people from all walks of life. Be open and respectful of different habits and lifestyles. You might have some trouble at first with the language depending on how well you speak Spanish. While communication barriers are difficult to deal with sometimes, try your best to just go with it and use your hands if you need to!

Accommodation Due to the remote location of the center, accommodation is included in the cost of this program. You will live in rustic onsite accommodations for duration of your stay. Your accommodations can include cabins, a tepee or even a treehouse. Volunteers use outdoor solar-heated showers facing a magnificent view of the Mediterranean. The residents of Casita Verde recycle all the water used by visitors to promote zero-carbon emissions.

Internet The project has a computer lab with internet service which can be used by volunteers to email and Skype with friends and family. Phone service is not very reliable but you are welcome to bring a cell phone. If you would like to have a working phone, you’ll need to unlock your cell phone before you go so that you can insert a local SIM card and buy pre-paid phone credits to load on the SIM card. We

recommend communicating largely through the internet, such as email, Facebook & WhatsApp. For making calls, we recommend Skype or Google Voice.

Meals You will also be provided with 3 vegetarian meals per day. Fresh fruit is everywhere and really

delicious. Meal times and portions could be different than what you’re used to, as many Spaniards eat a larger breakfast/lunch and then have a small dinner. They also often have access to the fresh juice bar on site.

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Logistical Information Start Dates: This program is offered throughout the year in the Spring, Summer and Fall terms. We offer multiple start dates for your flexibility and we can coordinate with your schedule once you are accepted onto the program.

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All arrivals are on Monday.

All stays are for 6 weeks.

Program Fee Unlike some of the other internship programs, Greenheart Travel offers an all-inclusive program fee which includes all of your in-country expenses. You will pay this fee upfront directly to Greenheart Travel via credit card.

Program Cost: $4,400

What is included in the program fee?

Round trip airfare from TPA to IBZ

Accommodations for 6 weeks in Ibiza

3 meals per day

Pre-departure cultural orientation

Pick up at IBZ Airport

Drop off at IBZ Airport

On-site training & education

24 hour emergency support

Certificate of completion at end of program

Emergency Medical Insurance

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