| OUR EXPERIENCE IN SERVICE-LEARNING & EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL PROGRAMS |
| Previous Experience Since 2004 I have been working with the University of Virginia (UVa) to design, coordinate and lead educational travel programs to Nicaragua for undergraduate students. We are currently preparing to embark on our third trip to Nicaragua for one of UVa's J-term courses, "Managing the Challenges of Sustainable Development." This academic class is carried out through an academic partnership between UVa and a university in Nicaragua. Students benefit from the expertise of our guest speakers in the morning (professionals such as community, political and NGO leaders) and spend the afternoon doing research projects in the community in small groups comprised of Nicaraguan and U.S. students. Thanks to programs like this one, UVa now ranks tenth among all U.S. colleges and universities for study abroad participation among students. Especially popular is the J-Term program, which saw a 100 percent increase in student participation between January 2005 and January 2006. My Role My role is to work with you to design a partnership with a Nicaraguan institution and to help you coordinate and maintain this relationship and the collaborative activities in which your university is engaged. In addition, I work with you to lead and coordinate the service-learning or educational travel program to Nicaragua. Click here to learn more about the services I offer you to help you develop a service-learning or educational program in Nicaragua. In the past, I have been hired for my work as an independent contractor, officially recognized as an adjunct faculty member or instructor. I welcome the opportunity to dialogue with you about potentially developing an educational, leadership or civic program in Nicaragua. Upon request, I can provide additional references from both professors and students who have participated in my trips during the last nine years (two references are provided below). My resume also offers a brief profile of each of the trips I have designed and led. Brief Profile: Resident Service-Learning Coordinator Phoebe Haupt Cayasso received a B.A. in International Relations in 1999 at the University of Virginia, specializing in globalization and international development within Central America. With an expertise in Central America, and in particular in Nicaragua, she has led over ten international educational, service and service-learning trips since 1999 focusing on cross- cultural, leadership and international issues of citizenship, globalization and sustainability. See my resume for a more detailed profile of my professional experiences. References Brad Brown: Faculty Sponsor of 2006, 2007, 2008 J-Term Academic Courses in Nicaragua Brad is a faculty member at the University of Virginia’s undergraduate McIntire School of Business. His research interests are in Entrepreneurship (especially in developing countries) and Corporate Social Performance. He has taught courses in emerging economies and has led many study abroad courses in Europe over the past ten years. bradbrown@virginia.edu Marga Odahowski: Faculty Sponsor for 2004 Cross-Cultural Leadership Trip to Nicaragua Marga has been on the faculty of the University of Virginia since 1990 and is currently the Director of Studies for the International Residential College (IRC). marga@Virginia.edu Thank you, Phoebe Haupt Cayasso *Consultant in Experiential Learning* Designing International & Cross-Cultural Partnerships and Learning Experiences |
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