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| Spring 2010 students enjoying a rare
snow by the Findhorn River. more photos » |
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Examine the skills, understanding and
practices that are vital to community living at Findhorn - one of the
best places to study abroad for sustainability studies and holistic
education in the U.K. Findhorn, located on the scenic north coast of
Scotland, is an Ecovillage of 400 people renowned for its environmental
consciousness, spiritual and personal growth, arts and creativity,
education, and global responsibility.
In a beautiful setting among an ancient fishing village, sand dunes and
flowering gardens, learn about the integration of human ecology and
natural systems as you gain valuable field experience in areas
including organic farming, creative expression for sustainbable living,
and consensus facilitation. Experience the successes and challenges of
living and working sustainably in one of the first intentional
communities in the world, which has been awarded a Best Practices
designation by the UN Centre for Human Settlements. Findhorn is also
home to the Global Ecovillage
Network.
 The
Findhorn Foundation is a demonstration site for sustainable living.
Members maintain organic gardens and a community supported agriculture
system, two wind-powered turbines and a generator, a "Living Machine"
ecological sewage treatment facility, and a "green building" program
with over 30 ecological buildings completed (including a
green-renovated castle) and a further 30-40 in planning stages.
Findhorn is a founding member of the Global Ecovillage Network. The
Findhorn Foundation College was formed in 2001 to provide academic and
professional training programs by integrating personal development
theory and techniques with established educational methods. The college
has a holistic learning philosophy that balances development of mind,
body, emotions, spirit and relationships within an academic and
community context.
Read
more
about Findhorn and its location »
Applied Sustainable Ecovillage
Living
(Env. Design 592B - 4 cr.)
This course explores the core nature of our species and focuses
specifically on our relationship with the land, food and farming, in
the context of the Findhorn Ecovillage. The various ways in which we
provide for our other needs - shelter, energy, clothing, transport,
waste management - is also covered. Students explore the theory and
practice of living more lightly and joyfully through ecological
footprint analysis - a tool which helps us to gauge the impact of our
current activities on the environment.
Group Dynamics
(Comm 352 - 4 cr.)
This course looks at the psychology of groups - both small and large.
Students will learn observation, communication and facilitation skills
as practical, effective tools and to reinforce the theoretical
learning. Utilizing students' own experience and that of the Findhorn
Ecovillage as examples, the course will cover:
- Stages of groups development based on the Scott Peck
model*
- Roles, conflict and some techniques for facilitation
- The relationship between personal psychology and
group dynamics
- Common group dynamic issues: such as conformity,
safety, leadership, sub-groups, scapegoating, etc.
Exploring Self and Community through the Arts
(Honors 397L - 4 cr.)
This course helps students connect with the creative self through
painting, drawing and sculpting. Through exercises, lectures, and
projects, students study:
- An introduction to the world of color, form and line
from a developmental perspective.
- Painting as an expression of feeling in contrast to
verbal, intellectual art forms.
- Interaction and communication in groups through
artistic expression.
- Artistic connection with the natural world to inspire
and transform the way we see and perceive.
Worldviews and Consciousness
(International Ed 292E - 4 cr.)
This course aims to empower students to learn how individuals and
groups perceive and shape their mindsets. Particular attention is
placed on the study of world cultural traditions and the search for
meaning and fulfillment. Through the creation of theoretical and
experiential understandings of worldviews and consciousness, students
examine culturally-narrated truths, social constructs, and the process
that facilitates the evolution of an individual's belief system.
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| Become part of a small
learning community within the exceptional educational and spiritual
community that is Findhorn. More
photos
» |
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| Week
1 |
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Introduction to the
Findhorn Ecovillage and community life |
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| Week
2: |
| • |
Academic and
cultural orientation |
| • |
Introduction to
holistic learning & assesment |
| • |
Identify learning
goals and learning contract |
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Local field trips
and campus and community tours |
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| Weeks 3 - 5: |
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Classes, tutorials
and self-directed research |
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Community
gatherings, events, and group check-ins |
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| Week
6 |
| • |
Field Study on
Erraid Island |
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Practicum and
seminars on social, cultural and environmental dimensions of
sustainability |
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| Weeks 7 -
13: |
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Classes, tutorials
and self-directed research |
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Community
gatherings, events, and group check-ins |
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| Week 14: |
| • |
Synthesis of
learnings, assessments and Learning Contract presentations |
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| Get contact information for an alum of this program » |
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| Learn what living and working
sustainably is all about on this beautiful agricultural community off
Scotland's west coast. More photos » |
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Work is where we put our spiritual principles into practice, where we
receive opportunities for learning in relationship to people, plants,
tools, machines and ourselves. Each work department has its own
mission, essence, challenges and mystery lessons. Giving of yourself
and your time (approximately 8 hours per week) in this way at Findhorn
is an opportunity to discover a new approach to work, to experience it
as love in action. It is an important part of the program, and to some
extent Findhorn relies on your help to keep the community running. And
your contribution is often inspiring for the community members with
whom you collaborate. For many participants, the work is the most
valuable part of their experience here.
The following are the options for giving back to
the community:
- Gardens: seeding,
transplanting, weeding, compost, cutting back, greenhouse work, other
projects depending on the season. There are always gentler options for
those who can't do the heavy physical work, such as making salad bags
& working with cut flowers.
- Kitchens: Veggie chopping,
chopping veggies, washing, prepping, grating, inventing and making
salads..depending on level of experience & confidence, guests
sometimes cook, especially if they are here for several months and want
to work in this way.
- Maintenance: Painting, helping
with building & fixing projects..again, Depending on level of
experience, your work can be anything from changing batteries in smoke
alarms, to plumbing, to digging drainage ditches, etc.
- Homecare: At Cluny Castle,
homecare is based around clearing and cleansing the space for guests.
At the Park (the main area of the community), there is this element,
and also care for the Community Centre and sanctuaries. Overall is
about purification and cleansing, and can include changing beds,
vacuuming, washing dishes, setting up tea-break.
- Cluny Dining Room: Centers on
blessings and beauty -- clearing and holding the space for people to be
nourished. Similar to Park Homecare but focused only in Cluny Dining
Room, so prepping, cleansing this space. Can include, setting up/making
teas, washing dishes, gathering/displaying cut flowers, vacuuming, etc.
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Earn 16 transferable credits through the
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Find out about transferring credits to your home
school »
View the full curriculum for this program »
View the
Program Assessment for this program »
Gill Emslie
Diploma (M.A. equiv.) in Process Oriented Psychology,
School of Process Oriented Psychology
Portland, OR, and London UK; Certificate in Holotropic Breathwork,
School of Holotropic Breathwork, CA
Gill has extensive experience as an international trainer and
facilitator, drawing on her training in transpersonal psychology, as a
consultant to organizations and communities, and as a psychotherapist.
She delivers trainings in group dynamics and conflict facilitation,
social design, personal development, staff training, supervision, and
developing the relationship between individual purpose and its
application in the workplace and the world. Gill currently works within
the corporate and voluntary sectors both in Europe and Latin America,
as well as teaching in a variety of educational program.
Melissa Godbeer
B.MSc, M.MSc University of Metaphysics, California
Melissa is passionate about Living Education and personal
sustainability, and teaches on a range of themes from green mind
programming to pro-peace activism. She has been an educator with the
Findhorn College since 2005 where her key area of interest is the
beneficial communal effects of right-livelihood. With a diverse history
originating in Zimbabwe, Africa, Melissa dynamically draws on over 10
years of team leadership and group facilitation experience, and
utilizes advanced facilitation technology as a means to reach her
audience. While maintaining an authentic level of compassion to support
and mentor students through the academic demands of the rigorous
Findhorn Community Semester program, Melissa’s capacity to demystify
the seriousness of sustainable education brings relief to the learning
community.
Deborah Jay-Lewin (2/10)
Diploma in Drama and Movement in Therapy; Accredited
teacher with Gabrielle Roths' Moving Centre, New York; ITEC Diploma
Holistic Massage
Deborah has over 20 years experience of introducing dance into
different environments, and opening up movement possibilities in new
and previously unexplored ways. Initially certified as a Sesame
Movement and Drama Therapist working in Special Needs environments, she
went on to train as a Holistic Massage practitioner. Having danced with
Gabrielle Roth since 1989, she was accredited by the Moving Centre, New
York in 1994 to teach the Waves® level of the work. In January 2007,
she completed the training to teach Heartbeat®, the emotional maps of
this dance practice. Deborah teaches 5Rhythms in the Findhorn Community
in Scotland, which has been her primary home since 1986. This will be
her ninth semester as Lead Faculty for the Findhorn Foundation College
on the module ‘Exploring Self & Community through the Arts.’ When
not teaching and parenting her two children (17 & 12) in Findhorn,
she travels and teaches throughout Europe and Asia. She recently worked
with 90 teenagers and 20 teachers in Thailand introducing 5Rhythms into
their alternative learning curriculum.
Lesley Quilty
Diploma (M.A. equiv.) Physical Theater, Diploma
Mythodrama Artist Presenter
Lesley is a group facilitator, coach and mentor, theatre artist, arts
consultant, and mother. She is a long-term Findhorn Foundation
Community member with a wealth of experience facilitating individuals
and groups in the fields of personal, professional, and artistic
development. She trained as a physical theater artist and clown at
Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theater in northern
California. She has worked in professional theater as a performer,
director, teacher, and producer in North America and the UK for over 20
years. As a "Clown Consultant," Lesley participates in environmental,
educational, and social activist conferences and events, and as a
"Clown Doctor" she supports sick children and their families through
the process of illness in Scottish hospitals. Lesley is also a coach
and lead presenter of cutting-edge leadership development programs for
Olivier Mythodrama Associates.
Alexander Lindsay Walker
BA in Geography, University of Leeds; M.Phil. in Town
and Regional Planning, University of Glasgow
After 10 years of working within the Findhorn Foundation in finance and
organizational management, Alex became a self-employed consultant
in 1991. His work involves advising numerous
community groups and business organizations in the UK on the subjects
of community ownership, renewable energy, low-carbon lifestyles and
affordable housing. He is also involved in management and financial
planning for SMEs which are involved in sustainable development
projects of a diverse nature, and sustainability research for larger
organizations. Alex is currently chairman of Development Trusts
Association Scotland and a member of the Rural Development Council,
which advises Richard Lochhead MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural
Affairs and the Environment.
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credit... Included