In hopes to develop a better education system in Haiti, The Open Society Foundation has sponsored Haitian professors to visit EARTH University to study their education model. EARTH professors will train these Haitians in developing a new academic model for them to implement at their own university.

Learn about other projects the OSI Foundation has sponsored for Haitian and African students to study at EARTH: http://bit.ly/ajHgAt.

Today, students from the National Institute of Agriculture in Panama begin working on EARTH’s organic farm. Leidyana de León and Edmundo Caballero will be here until the end of November.

Volunteers from Hewlett-Packard joined EARTH professors and students to plant over 3,000 trees on Saturday.

The event signified their commitment to carbon neutrality, an extension to a project began in 2008, where EARTH and HP committed themselves to a three-year reforestation project in Costa Rica.

Learn more about the project in HP’s brief Global Citizenship Report: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/08gcreport/employees/volunteerism.html

On Friday, the Atlanta INtown Paper featured an article about EARTH University and its unique projects.  The publication applauded EARTH for its work in “providing education for deserving young people who lack the financial resources to attend college,” and explained the benefits of EARTH’s internship programs.

The article also discusses the relationship between Georgians and EARTH University. The EARTH University Foundation, which supports “the education vision of EARTH through gifts, contributions…and other initiatives,” was formed in Buckhead, Georgia in 1989, and remains there today.  In November, the Foundation will host a trail race to benefit EARTH.  The Foundation also hosts and assists in other local events, such as organic potluck dinners, to benefit EARTH.

EARTH’s presence in the Atlanta area is ever-growing.  Right now, there are two EARTH grads working at Bland Farms in Glennville, Georgia, overseeing the company’s “sustainable farming and practices and green initiatives.”  Also, three EARTH students are interning in different parts of Georgia. See the article in the Atlanta INtown for more information about what these students are doing: http://bit.ly/cKxrT9.

One of our three new interns for a semester abroad is Ive Eddy, from Kansas in the U.S.A.  She is studying sustainable agriculture at Colorado State University.  While with us, she is taking the courses about tropical animal production, aquaculture, and tropical crops.  She will also conduct an independent study on Biochar, a soil amendment.

“My impression of the university has changed as little by little I get used to the classes and atmosphere.  It couldn’t be more different from Colorado State, with well over 25,000 students in the city of Fort Collins, CO.  The vast majority of students live in apartments and houses.  At EARTH, all of the less than 500 students live in dorms on campus (in the country), and most professors live less than a mile (1.5 kilometers) down the road.  This is just an example; the learning approach is totally different as well.

My overall impression has been molded by the students, who are the most genuine, dedicated, welcoming people I have ever met.  I have every reason to believe that I am meeting the leaders of our future here.  It is amazing that  students from all over Africa, Mexico, South America, Central America, and other regions can put aside cultural, economic and personal differences to work toward this common goal.  This is easily one of the biggest challenges of my life, but I have learned more in the last month- about culture, the tropics, stereotypes- than I ever could have hoped to at CSU.  I am forever grateful to the Gilman Scholarship Foundation for making this experience possible.” Ive

You’ll know more about our third intern soon…..

For the second time this year, EARTH University celebrates “Día sin Autos” or Day Without Cars.  Today, students and staff will walk, bike, or use electric transportation to get to class or the office in order to decrease EARTH’s CO2 output.

This event is just one of the many ways EARTH promotes alternative modes of transportation and contributes to improving the quality of our air and of our environment overall.

What else has EARTH done to promote carbon neutrality?

• On April 22, 2010 (Earth Day), Earth replaced campus automobiles with a fleet of 22 electric vehicles.
• EARTH planned and promoted the event, EARTH Plants the Future, where on June 5, 2010, more than 1.19 million trees were planted in 34 different countries across the globe. Learn more http://bit.ly/dnbuxC.

Read more about EARTH’s commitment to carbon neutrality beginning in September 2007: http://bit.ly/9FHxfZ.

Here to learn about medical systems in Costa Rica, six nursing students from Peninsula College in Washington arrived at EARTH today.

They have been traveling the country for about a month to see how medical practices and social security works in rural Latin America.  This week, these students will gain hands-on experience in EARTH’s health clinic and also visit the medical centers in nearby communities.

As most of you know, EARTH University is home to students from over 25 different countries across the globe, many of which are from very poor areas of the world.  In December, several EARTH students will be graduating, but won’t be able to share that special moment with their families since they can not afford a plane ticket.  For this reason, EARTH’s fourth-year students have been raising money for those who’s parents do not otherwise have the  means to bring their families to the ceremony.

“Once we have completed our studies at EARTH, we want to share that special moment of our graduation with our relatives, the people that raised us and gave us courage,” said fourth-year student Johanny.

EARTH students of the Class of 2010 have been working hard to gather funds to support their colleagues.  So far, a committee of fourth-year students have organized student parties among other efforts to collect money.  One of the biggest events they hosted was a fair on campus where students could share typical food, dance, and other cultural aspects from their home countries.  Over 5,000 visitors came from surrounding towns to enjoy the festivities and support EARTH that day.

The students have also created a Facebook page for the cause: http://www.causes.com/causes/503287. Please visit the page for more information, send the link to a friend who you believe would help, or spare a few dollars yourself! Any donation amount is appreciated.

“Our aim is to bring 100% of senior students’ parents to the ceremony,” said Johanny.

These students have worked hard to obtain a degree which “is only the beginning for transforming humanity,” as Johanny explained their education’s global impact. A donation could be your way of saying “thanks,” and encouraging the environmental change for which these students have worked so hard.

The Office of International Academic Programs would like to know how we can better serve our followers, current students, and prospective students.  Please take this quick survey and post any comments or recommendations you have.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8H7WHNZ

What more can we do for you? What more would you like to know about EARTH?  We are here to help you and would like your input.

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

EARTH's 2009 International Interns

EARTH celebrates diversity daily with interaction between students from over 20 different countries.  Is your country represented?

• Argentina
• Belize
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Canada
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Kenya
• Mexico
• Mozambique
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Uganda
• United States
• Venezuela