Academic Exchange to the University of California Santa Cruz Megan Willems November 14, 2007

Santa Cruz, CA Santa Cruz is located at the top of Monterey Bay on the Central California Coast, approximately 60 miles south of San Francisco

Santa Cruz is located at the top of Monterey Bay on the Central California Coast, approximately 60 miles south of San Francisco

The Environmental Studies Major “… Students pursue an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines course work in ecology and the social sciences. The program emphasizes the integration of ecological knowledge with an understanding of social institutions and policies in ways that support the conservation of biodiversity, the practice of sustainable agriculture, and the careful management of other ecological and environmental systems.”

“… Students pursue an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines course work in ecology and the social sciences. The program emphasizes the integration of ecological knowledge with an understanding of social institutions and policies in ways that support the conservation of biodiversity, the practice of sustainable agriculture, and the careful management of other ecological and environmental systems.”

Courses I Took At UCSC Organic Agriculture Theory and Practice Agroecology and Sustainable Agroecology Agroecosystem Analysis and Watershed Management Culture Through Food Principles of Sustainable Agriculture Modern Soviet Literature Environmental Politics French!

Organic Agriculture Theory and Practice

Agroecology and Sustainable Agroecology

Agroecosystem Analysis and Watershed Management

Culture Through Food

Principles of Sustainable Agriculture

Modern Soviet Literature

Environmental Politics

French!

Other Interesting Courses Offered Integrated Pest Management General Entomology Field Enthobotany Environmental Action through Writing Nature Literature Restoration Ecology Biotechnology: Social and Environmental Dimensions

Integrated Pest Management

General Entomology

Field Enthobotany

Environmental Action through Writing

Nature Literature

Restoration Ecology

Biotechnology: Social and Environmental Dimensions

The Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems “ The Farm” at UCSC The mission of the CASFS (the Center) is to research, develop, and advance sustainable food and agricultural systems that are environmentally sound, economically viable, socially responsible, nonexploitative, and that serve as a foundation for future generations. 25-acre farm/handworked gardens of annual and perennial food and ornamental crops, mechanically cultivated row crops, orchards, and research plots.

“ The Farm” at UCSC

The mission of the CASFS (the Center) is to research, develop, and advance sustainable food and agricultural systems that are environmentally sound, economically viable, socially responsible, nonexploitative, and that serve as a foundation for future generations.

25-acre farm/handworked gardens of annual and perennial food and ornamental crops, mechanically cultivated row crops, orchards, and research plots.

CASFS

Agroecology Related Programs Farm Apprenticeship - full time organic farming Program in Agroecology and Community at the Village (PICA) UCSC Dining Services - use significant amount of farm produce Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) Community Agroecology Network (CAN) - Steve Gliessman’s fair trade coffee and research network UCSC Food Systems Working Group The Education for Sustainable Living Program (ESLP) - student run courses that study all aspects of sustainable living from food to waste Life Lab - on farm classroom for children

Farm Apprenticeship - full time organic farming

Program in Agroecology and Community at the Village (PICA)

UCSC Dining Services - use significant amount of farm produce

Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA)

Community Agroecology Network (CAN) - Steve Gliessman’s fair trade coffee and research network

UCSC Food Systems Working Group

The Education for Sustainable Living Program (ESLP) - student run courses that study all aspects of sustainable living from food to waste

Life Lab - on farm classroom for children

Work Experience I worked for Dr. Joji Muramoto whose research focuses mainly on developing indicators of sustainable nutrient management in agriculture. I spent many sunny days sampling soil in strawberry and cover cropped fields as well as harvesting organic strawberries for yield analysis.

Colleges and Community Ten Colleges I was in College 9 - our theme was “International and Global Perspectives” Community is an important aspect of UCSC and the colleges are designed to have the advantages of a small college within the extensive resources of a large university

Ten Colleges

I was in College 9 - our theme was “International and Global Perspectives”

Community is an important aspect of UCSC and the colleges are designed to have the advantages of a small college within the extensive resources of a large university

The Village I lived at “The Village” a unique student housing community designed for continuing, transfer, graduate, and some students in special programs.

I lived at “The Village” a unique student housing community designed for continuing, transfer, graduate, and some students in special programs.

Santa Cruz Life Relaxed in comparison to Vancouver Beaches, beaches, beaches…need I say more? Social Justice focus - everyone had a cause San Francisco, Napa and more all nearby

Relaxed in comparison to Vancouver

Beaches, beaches, beaches…need I say more?

Social Justice focus - everyone had a cause

San Francisco, Napa and more all nearby

Santa Cruz

Global Issues and Culture Santa Cruz tries hard to be liberal and encouraged diversity Classes definitely encouraged more global perspectives although there was little diversity from students Professors all had global experience College 9 had the International Living Center and focused a lot on global issues. Activism is alive and healthy at UCSC compared to UBC. Many of the issues surrounded the war and global problems (climate change, human rights, etc)

Santa Cruz tries hard to be liberal and encouraged diversity

Classes definitely encouraged more global perspectives although there was little diversity from students

Professors all had global experience

College 9 had the International Living Center and focused a lot on global issues.

Activism is alive and healthy at UCSC compared to UBC. Many of the issues surrounded the war and global problems (climate change, human rights, etc)

How to have the Successful Exchange Experience! Be Open - my motto was to “say yes” to new experiences while on exchange. This meant football games, positive experiences of activism, hands on learning at the farm, driving to In-n-out at 1am on a Tuesday. Take courses outside your major!

Be Open - my motto was to “say yes” to new experiences while on exchange. This meant football games, positive experiences of activism, hands on learning at the farm, driving to In-n-out at 1am on a Tuesday.

Take courses outside your major!