Taking part in the Global Columbia Collaboratory provides undergraduate students with a forum for learning about global issues from experts and peers around the world. You, the undergraduate student participant, will sharpen your cross-cultural and collaborative skills, enhance your global network, and build your professional portfolios.
Overview
The Summer 2023 Global Columbia Collaboratory: The Amazon We Want is a not-for-credit hybrid program in which currently enrolled Columbia University students learn about the current state of the Amazon ecosystem and its communities through four virtual global seminars given by experts and locals in the field, small group meetings via Zoom, and a collaborative project as a deliverable. In addition, students will travel to Brazil for an 10 day in-person immersion starting in Rio de Janeiro, where they will visit the Columbia Global Center, followed by 4 days immersed in the Amazon forest in the heart of Manaus state. Students will reflect, ideate, and collaborate to learn, discuss, and raise awareness about the state of the Amazon region.
The Summer 2023 Collaboratory is offered by the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement in partnership with Columbia Global Centers Rio de Janeiro, FAS (Fundação Amazônia Sustentável), the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and The Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA).
If you have any questions, write to globalcollab@columbia.edu or apply here.
Eligibility and Application
Applications are limited to Columbia University undergraduates who are currently enrolled and in good academic and disciplinary standing at the New York City campus of Columbia University. As a participant, you will be invited to engage with a small cohort of Columbia students and the broader Columbia network to:
- Participate in four global seminars and conversations with faculty and experts drawn from Columbia’s global networks;
- Meet weekly to exchange perspectives on the global challenges faced by the Amazon as framed by the SPA report and the Collab’s global education curriculum; and
Ideate and collaborate to launch an ArcGIS StoryMap on behalf of FAS and their requests regarding specific topics.
The Collaboratory is conducted in English and is not-for-credit.
A limited number of students will be selected to join the Summer 2023 Global Columbia Collaboratory: The Amazon Region We Want and must agree to fully participate in all offerings and collaborate with their peers on the collaborative project for the partner NGO.
APPLICATION DEADINE:
Applications are open until Friday, April 28, 2023.
Financial Considerations
The course, housing, in-country transportation, and excursions are funded for eligible students. Students will be responsible for purchasing roundtrip flights to/from Rio de Janeiro, travel insurance, costs associated with securing a valid passport and visa (if applicable), vaccines for travel to Brazil, and personal spending money. Students accepted to the program are expected to pay a non-refundable deposit ($500).
Tentative Timeline and Expectations
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, April 28, 2023
Programming for the Collaboratory will take place over 10 weeks and students should expect to spend 3 - 4 hours a week engaged with Collaboratory content, seminars and activities. The onsite portion of the program in Brazil will last 10 days. Students must participate in all events as part of joining the Summer 2023 Collaboratory.
[Finalized Schedule Provided in mid-May 2023]
Week 1 [May 29 - June 2] Virtual Meeting
Collaboratory overview / Positionality and Land Acknowledgement
Pod (small group) Meeting - ArcGIS StoryMap Overview
*Travel documents and vaccines must be complete
Week 2 [June 5 - 9] Virtual Meeting
Honing Intercultural Skills - UNESCO Story Circles
Pod Meeting
Global Seminar #1: “The Amazon We Want” (asynchronous video)
Week 3 [June 12 - 16] Virtual Meeting
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals & Global Citizenship
Pod Meeting
Global Seminar #2: “The Amazon as a Regional Entity of the Earth System” (asynchronous video)
Week 4 [June 19 - 23] Virtual Meeting
Storytelling & StoryMaps
Pod Meeting
Global Seminar #3: “Land Use, Climate and Demographic Changes in the Amazon” (asynchronous video)
Week 5 [June 26 - 30] Virtual Meeting
Multiperspectivity in Global Challenges
Pod Meeting
Global Seminar #4: “The Solution Space: Finding Sustainable Pathways for the Amazon” (asynchronous video)
Weeks 6 & 7 [July 1 - 11] Travel/Onsite
Students travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil & Columbia Global Center - Rio
Travel to Manaus & Eco-tour in the Manaus State in the Amazon
Weeks 8 [July 17-21] Virtual Meeting
Monitor and Evaluation
Pod Meeting
Week 9 [July 24 - 28] Virtual Meeting
Resiliency in the Face of Wicked Problems
Pod Meeting
Week 10 [July 31 - August 4] Virtual Meeting
Globalize your Resume
Pod Meeting
Week 11 [August 7 - 11] Virtual Meeting
Student Showcase