Virtual international internships for spring

Students are invited to register for a virtual internship for the spring semester in coordination with the Global Impact Project and community-based groups in Ecuador and Argentina. 

The internship will consist of two teams of Augustana students who will tackle either urban gardening and food self-sufficiency in Ecuador, or environmental education for disenfranchised urban communities in Argentina.

Students of any major can register the internship for 0 - 1 credits for spring semester.

For more information, contact Pedro Bidegaray, director of the Office of International and Off-Campus Programs, by Jan. 22.

Ecuador: Environmental Sustainability Global Impact Project

The neighborhood of Batan Alto is in Quito, a city of about 3 million in the mountains of Ecuador. 

As urban areas have expanded, pollution has increased and the populations of plants and animals have been reduced significantly. Due to COVID-19, many families have become more aware of food security.  

Because of these concerns, one neighborhood in Quito has decided to take a small portion of a forgotten public park and transform it into a sustainable, organic, community vegetable and fruit garden. 

Objectives include:

Educating families about gardening, fruit and vegetable species, cultivation methods, etc. through community newsletters, social media, and other channels. 

Returning native species of animals and plants, especially pollinators (hummingbirds and bees) and iconic trees such as pumamaquis, to the area.

Planning and implementing the project from a sustainable and holistic perspective, incorporating appropriate processes and procedures into the project’s master plan.

Exploring the re-appropriation of dilapidated public spaces and considering the potential legal limitations that may impact the use of such spaces.
The repurposing of this park space will serve as a pilot program.  If successful, the intent will be to replicate it in different spaces within the city. 

The Global Impact Project

Students will assist with the research and development of the project, including:

• Researching and creating a garden framework: recommending irrigation, fertilization, and pollination methods; identifying local pests that could negatively impact the crops; identifying ideal native crops and combinations of crops for the environment; and providing a detailed analysis of findings and recommendations.

• Creating educational materials which tell the story of the garden and encourage the engagement of community members. Research the best methods to communicate within the local context and create educational content.

• Researching local policy and regulations that may positively support, or potentially negatively impact, the repurposing of land within the city for such sustainable gardening initiatives.

Argentina: Social Entrepreneurship Global Impact Project

Casco Verdes works to support the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in society by providing them with training on environmental sustainability issues as well as platforms that allow them to share their knowledge on the environment throughout their communities. In this way, they contribute to their communities while spreading a message of inclusion.  

The Global Impact Project

The pandemic has created a new opportunity for their environmental education initiatives. In 2021, Casco Verdes plans to launch a new, online program that will allow students to study virtually from anywhere in Argentina. 

Augustana students working with the host organization will assist in the launch of this new virtual training product, moving the product from concept through development. 

Students will work with the host organization to do a SWOT analysis, and understand the current target market, the product details, and program content. They will, in turn, create an implementation plan for the new product launch which will include identifying a new target market(s), strategies for optimal reach and student engagement, necessary changes in the current product, and effective delivery methods to fit current needs (including technology).

Students will help the host organization understand how this program may be sustainable in the long term, analyzing profitability and economic sustainability.