FINDHORN,SCOTLAND

Excerpts from students blogging about their academic and field experience of sustainability

I really love the attitude towards learning here. It feels so supportive and so completely different than anything I've ever experienced in traditional school. We're surrounded by adults who want to inspire us and who want to understand our individual needs and interests. –Emily Vail, UMass Amherst (Fall 2008)

Findhorn is a complete internalization of education. To me, Findhorn is a reminder of what learning actually is. –Jen Swanson, Washington University St. Louis (Fall 2008)

It is nice to have a semester where everything we do is so related to our group, the Findhorn community, and the human challenge of sustainability. We are encouraged to challenge the thought practices that are in place to "deal" with sustainability issues: Einstein did say it best "you cant solve problems using the same mindset that created them." –Seth Mansur, UMass Amherst (Spring 2007)

The week on Erraid was awesome. We got to spend time working with the community of 8 people who live there. Everyone had a different experience, as there are so many different roles in such a small community. –Kyle Ryan, University of Vermont (Fall 2007)

During their orientation week, the students participated in various sessions looking at learning styles, learning histories and learning goals. Students were encouraged to be open with the group about their challenges as learners, and ask for support when needed, both from the group as a learning community as well as from the program staff and faculty. The results were… deeply reflective sharings from the students about their learning histories and their hopes for the semester here. –David McNamara PhD. Faculty (Fall 2008)

Wild and windy with hills covered in heather and ferns. There are no trees just rocks and scrubs. And you almost always have a view of the sea. We saw Balfour Bay and climbed down to a sea cave that I bet was a pirate hideout in days past. We climbed to the high point of the island and climbed onto the wishing rock to make wishes guaranteed to come true. Erraid Island really is a magical place. –Hannah Eubanks, Missouri State University (Fall 2009)

It feels so wonderful to be [doing my service learning] working with food, especially when you know it's come from a garden right in your neighborhood, and it was probably even classmates of yours who harvested it. –Emily Vail, UMass Amherst (Fall 2008)

At Findhorn, I did a weekend workshop on non-violent communication. It has helped me clarify how it is applicable to my life, and a lot of other great stuff. In general, I have gained a greater ability to discern what my needs are, and how to connect with others and myself in a way that brings more connection, not separation. –Seth Mansur, UMass Amherst (Spring 2007)

This opportunity is such a blessing. To have a group of educators, very devoted to our learning and continually improving the program, I couldn't ask for a better system of education. I love the connection we have to the people who are making this program what it is. We get to have a say in how the program runs, and they value that feedback. –Kyle Ryan, University of Vermont (Fall 2007)

It was a wonderful experience, definitely a learning experience that has caused me to grow in many ways. I am much more aware of a global perspective of environmental issues. –Ashley Johnson, New College of Florida (Spring 2007)

I introduced the idea of making bike carts here at Findhorn…to create low cost trailers that can empower people to use their bicycles more, and use their car less or not at all. Several people in the community have shown interest, and last night we had our first work session in the shop. [Seth went on to develop a bicycle transport prototype and green business back home in Massachusetts. –Seth Mansur, UMass Amherst (Spring 2007)

Post program plans: About half the students from our Findhorn group are going to work on forming a sustainability center in Boston; Wes plans to start a community supported agriculture scheme in his hometown of Malverne, Pennsylvania. Rae is inspired to change the wastewater treatment system in Atlanta to make it more sustainable. KC is continuing to make her state of Alaska more self-sufficient in the area of food. I am going back to Bar Harbor, Maine in a few weeks with the hopes of strengthening the year-round economy there with a local currency like the Ekos I used at Findhorn. –Sarah Steinberg, College of the Atlantic (Fall 2006)

Now, I want to connect with more young people who have had experience with eco-villages or holistic educational practices. It would be good to keep a current network of young people who are interested in this work or who have been part of a Living Routes program. –Will, (Spring 2006)

I am more aware of a global perspective of environmental issues. I also gained a new perspective of home. When I drive through the built up mall, shop, and restaurant areas of Franklin, Tennessee, I think about how much more beautiful it would be if we could be more space efficient with our buildings and consumer society. I wonder what Tennessee looked like before hills were plowed through to make roads, before dams were built, and before sub developments sprouted from the disturbed ground. –Ashley Johnson, New College of Florida (Spring 2007)