This blog is an archived post written by Eva during her 4^th year in the Urban and Regional Environments stream.

 

 

 

York International offers summer internships abroad in various fields including internships in the environmental studies field. I was fascinated about the internships at the Canadian Organization of Tropical Education and Research Conservation in Costa Rica. The internships that they offered were Research Assistant for turtle monitoring, large mammal monitoring, and Community Intern. In addition, interns had the opportunity to participate in research on bats and poison-dart frogs.

After my first year of Environmental Studies, I wanted to apply the knowledge I had gained in a practical work experience. In ENVS 1500 Introduction to Environmental Science, I learned about biology and conservation ecology.  In ENVS 1000 Introduction to Environmental Studies, I wrote two research papers: Deforestation in Mexico, and The Effects of Increased Carbon Emissions, Caused by Human Impact, on the Environment. I wanted to share my knowledge with students in Costa Rica. Deforestation is common in Costa Rica, so I wanted to identify the challenges of tackling this issue. In ENVS 1200: Taking Action, I learned how to act on local/global issues of environmental and social justice. I used the leadership skills learned in ENVS 1200, to prepare workshops and activities for the children at Tortuguero Primary School, Costa Rica.

I was a Community Intern at the Canadian Organization of Tropical Education and Research Conservation in Costa Rica, where I was actively involved in public outreach on environmental issues, such as water pollution, air pollution, deforestation, and endangered species. I prepared educational environmental programs and outreach events on the preservation of endangered species and environmental science. I was also participating in turtle monitoring, bats, and poison- dart frogs. In my free time, I was a coach for the girls’ soccer team.

After my internship, I wanted to learn more about conservation, so I decided to take ENVS 2400: Foundations of Environmental Management in my second year.  I  also wanted to get a better understanding on the political factors of environmental conservation, so I decided to take ENVS 2300 Introduction to Environmental Politics (Now renamed ENVS 2000: Environmental Politics, Justice, and the Arts).

Reflecting on my international internships experience, I became more independent, experienced a new culture, lived in a rainforest, met new people, practiced my Spanish, gained valuable work experience, had the chance to travel, and got out of my comfort zone.  It's a great experience for international and Canadian students to check out!