Environmental Project Takes Youth to Costa Rica

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Environmental Project Takes Youth to Costa Rica

If you are a young Nova Scotian intrigued by the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica and eager to join others working towards creating a healthier environment, then the Environmental Leadership Program may be for you.

Don't worry if you can't speak Spanish. You'll learn quickly in this program, which is a four-month work exchange between Nova Scotia and Costa Rica. It runs from April 29 to Sept. 1.

Six Nova Scotians aged 20 to 24 will join young people from Newfoundland and New Brunswick to work on Costa Rican environmental projects. They will be hosted by local families. The Nova Scotians, accompanied by their Costa Rican counterparts, will return home for July and August to work on environmental projects in their own communities.

Past participant Lori Morgan says the program changed her life.

"Being part of the Environmental Leadership Program has honestly been the most rewarding experience of my life," Morgan says. "The lessons and knowledge I have gained over one summer will stay with me forever. It has opened my eyes and broadened my mind -- it has prepared me for the future."

Candidates should be interested in learning about the environment, eager to work on a team and keen to learn more about Costa Rica through this exciting cross-cultural program.

Josh McLean, another former participant, believes the program helped shape his future educational and career plans.

"It gave me first-hand working experience with a different culture on environmental projects. This will not only help me with future jobs, but has greatly increased my understanding and appreciation of how community-based environmental projects can be successful."

Partner organizations in the Environmental Leadership Program include the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps, Canada World Youth, the Conservation Corps of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Community College of New Brunswick-Miramichi and Taller Internacional in Costa Rica.

To apply, contact the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps at 902-424-4924 or [email protected] . Cover letters and resumes can be faxed to 902-424-3571. The deadline for applications is early February.

The Environmental Leadership Program is all about People and Nature: working.