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  "Living Routes programs have a profound effect on the way young adults see the world and themselves. They help to shape future leaders with skills in peace and negotiation." — Parent of 2003 alumna
Program Basics
Ecovillage Basics
Semester Programs:
January Programs:
Summer Programs:
Australia - Crystal Waters
Brazil - Ecocentro IPEC
Year-Long Program:
Specific Majors
Service learning through internships, field work and study
Service learning through internships, field work and study.





284 N. Pleasant St. ste 1
Amherst, MA 01002
(888) 515-7333
 
Program Basics

Living Routes programs are both academic and experiential. They challenge you to grow on academic, professional and personal levels. Programs are taught by faculty with international experience and expertise across a wide range of fields. Students and faculty together create a learning community within the living community of the Ecovillage. These remarkable educational environments facilitate real transformative intellectual and personal development.

We believe that we must learn to live sustainably. It is not enough to read about it, we must live it. Ecovillages, the 'campuses' for Living Routes programs, are ideal places for holistic, interdisciplinary education because they are living examples of social, ecological and spiritual sustainability.

Field excursions: students visit sites of cultural, ecological and historic importance
Students visit sites of cultural, ecological and historic importance.

Living Routes offers the following programs:

 ONGOING PROGRAMS January Spring Semester Summer Fall Semester
 India  Auroville    
 Scotland  Findhorn Foundation    
 Senegal  Yoff +    
 Israel  Kibbutz Lotan      
 Australia  Crystal Waters      
 Brazil  Ecocentro IPEC      
 USA  Sirius Community      
 India  Sadhana Forest      
 Senegal  Yoff +      
 Mexico Huehuecoyotl      
 Peru Sachamama
     
 Ecovillage Year Abroad Program

Program Features

Small class size (typically 6-14 students on semester programs).


An outdoor class"room"

Thorough orientations, including health and safety information and tools for cross-cultural understanding and re-entry.

Interdisciplinary curriculum that develops a profound understanding of real-world issues and the individual.

Individualized approach to learning by which students create their own educational goals and Learning Plans.

Student-selected service learning project or internship.

Field visits and educational excursions to sites of historic, cultural or ecological importance.

Regular check-ins and in-depth meetings with faculty allow students to review academic performance and individual progress on thier individual Learning Plan throughout the semester.

Authentic assessment practices are utilized by which students are evaluated by self and faculty on perfomance and portfolio.

Academic credit for Living Routes programs is awarded by University of Massachusetts Amherst and is widely transferable.

Academic Activities

dialogue with experts

ask and reflect on big questions

develop leadership skills

study and reflect on scholarly articles

write essays and research papers

participate in and lead seminars

build group process and facilitation skills

gain service-learning and internship experience

pursue independent studies

learn effective models of conflict resolution

participate in vibrant host country cultures

experience the daily patterns of community life

develop an in-depth understanding of local issues and their global context

develop the practice of effective and sustainable action

Who Should Apply

Students from over 100 colleges and universities throughout the United States – including public and private, large and small, and ivy and alternative educational institutions – have studied with us, and the number is growing every year. In addition, adult learners and exceptional gap-year and high school students have thrived on our programs. To read a FAQ for prospective students, please click here.

Students visit ruins, farms and natural areas of extraordinary beauty






           (888) 515-7333 or (413) 259-0025          fax: (413) 259-1113

  284 N. Pleasant Street, Suite 1, Amherst, MA 01002

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