Environment
Understand Your Environment
Eco English Experience focuses on current happenings (social, economic, environmental) in the areas we visit. By examing these current trends at each specific region, city or state, you have a chance to better understand the different cultures and demographics that make the United States unique. At Eco English Experience, you explore the connectedness between the environmental issues of a local area and their social and economic effects. Below you can see few of the many larger issues you get to explore and the accompanying cities you may visit on your Eco English trip.
Social
- Burlington, Vermont: A different mindset exists in Burlington that is found in few other areas of New England. After you explore the city of Northern Vermont, you may be able to figure out if the progressive attitude is harnessed from the waters of Lake Champlain.
- Boston, Massachusetts: Bostonians are wicked proud of their football (Patriots), baseball (Red Sox) and hockey (Bruins) teams and the city has historically been known for its tight knit communities comprised of Italians, Irish and more recently, refugee populations. Today, however, the city is famous for hosting large population of college educated individuals staying around the city after graduation, changing the feel and demographics of this New England town.
Economic
- Hardwich, Vermont: A new paradigm is developing in the way businesses such as Pete's Greens, High Mowing Seeds and Claire's Restaurant collaboratively work together to diversify and strengthen a local economy. You have a chance to discover how a closed loop economic system can enhance and stabilize a local community while creating a food mecca.
- Portland, Oregon: Sustainability can take on different meanings depending upon your perspective and willingess to receive change. The city of Portland, Oregon has embraced sustainability related to its economic plan and is at the forefront of progressive city planning. You're invited here to see how.
Environmental
- Wyalusing, Pennsylvania: Once a mixture of farmland and forest, this sleepy Northeastern Pennsylvania town now sits over one of the largest natural gas deposits in the world. Aside from the social implications of the town growing overnight, you have a chance to explore the effects hydraulic fracking has on the local water supply and problems with the slow-to-react state environmental regulations.
- Indian Lake, New York: Up the Hudson River from New York City lies a naturally conserved area collectively known as the Adirondacks. An outdoor paradise for climbers, hikers and rafters, you get a chance to first engage in some of these activities, and then understand how the businesses and residents walk the line between conserving natural elements and putting them to financial use.
Student Testimonials
Ah Shim On Site / 17-Jan-11 16:50
"I've never seen this type of lettuce before. This is great!"
read more...Upcoming Programs
- Fall 2011: 11/22 to 11/27
- Winter 2012: 1/2 to 1/8
- Spring 2012: 3/11 to 3/18
- Summer 2012: 6/4 to 6/30