UW Medical Center Healing Garden
Eevergreen School Community Green
Pacific Flora, International Youth Garden
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[Design/Build
in Guatemala Fall 2007: Click here for more information.] [New!]
The application deadline has been extended to June 15th
Introduction
The program offers students
a unique service learning opportunity to study in one of the world’s
most interesting countries, Guatemala. Rich in Mayan history and culture,
Guatemala is an ecologically important with great swaths of forested
land still intact and populations of endangered species threatened. This
program is designed to meet two primary goals. First it offers students
the opportunity to explore, observe and study in this unique country
and gain insight into a unique culture and appreciate its vernacular
environmental design. Second, the opportunity to work with a unique client
and design and build an invaluable open space that will nurture and stimulate
the children, their families and the community of garbage pickers.
Students will work with the client, Safe Passage (see description below),
and the faculty to design and build an “interactive landscape.
Students will learn the skills of small culturally appropriate site design
and construction detailing through this intensive project. The process
is formed around the collaborative model of inclusive design. Once the
design is completed, each student will take on individual responsibilities
for various aspects of the project. The rapid pace of both the design
and construction will demand a deep level of commitment and responsibility.
In the design phase, students will be taught graphics, site design, and
construction documentation and learn what a “therapeutic garden” is
and how it might function. In the building phase, students will be taught
the principles and methodologies of construction, how to use tools, calculate
materials and cost estimating. The students will also learn through the
children and volunteers of Safe Passage and gain insight into how people
survive in radically different cultures and in great depravation.
The park site is located in Zona #3, one of the poorest neighborhoods
in the Guatemala City. The site, a former garbage dump has been partially
cleared and a wall was recently erected around its perimeter to prevent
land invasions and a pre-school is currently being erected on the park
site. The park is surrounded on two sides by the squatter community,
on another by the garbage dump; the largest in the city, where the families
scavenge.
Goals of the Project
* The creation of a park (Children’s Peace Park) to be used by
the children of Safe Passage to reduce their daily stresses, and accommodate
a range of activities including vocational training, recreation and ecological
awareness. The park will also serve as a therapeutic environment and
safe refuge within the often violent and dangerous squatter community.
* In a working session with Safe Passage children and staff and the U
of WA’s students and faculty develop a program that meets the needs
of the existing and planned future programs for Safe Passage.
* Develop construction documents that articulate the design intent and
can be implemented within the construction budget.
* Implement the first phase of the park and work with the Safe Passage’s
staff and administrators to complete a maintenance plan.
Outcome of the Project
* The creation of a therapeutic learning environment that accommodates
the therapeutic, academic, vocational and recreational goals of the Safe
Passage curriculum.
* The creation of a replicable, community service model.
* Conduct a continuing evaluation based on follow up interviews over
the next two years, to monitor and evaluate the park and document its
use.Participants
Landscape Architecture Design Build Program
The University of Washington Landscape Architecture Design Build Program
has been asked by Camino Segura/Safe Passage a non-governmental agency
based in Antigua Guatemala to design and build a number of components
in a Park designed for children and to be used as a part of their educational
outreach and support program. The children are from the families of the
garbage pickers who were pulled out of school by their families to harvest
garbage for resale in an effort to increase the family income. Safe Passage
is supporting the children in their effort to gain an education and break
the cycle of dropouts/garbage picking. The park will be integrated into
the programs curriculum and is intended to offer therapeutic, educational,
vocational and recreation support and opportunities.
Students will work with the client, Safe Passage (staff, administrators
and children (see description below), and the faculty to design and build
an “interactive landscape. Students will learn the skills of small
site design and construction detailing, management, community participation.
Faculty
The Landscape Architecture Design Build Program in Guatemala will be
taught by Daniel Winterbottom, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture,
Urban Design, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Architecture. The Design/Build
Program was initiated by Professor Winterbottom in 1995 and over the
past decade has completed a diverse range of projects. The projects include
a public wash facility for a rural community in central Mexico; several
projects in Seattle including an intergenerational play and recreational
area, an outdoor classroom and environmental learning facility, a community
adopt-a-park in the Cascade neighborhood, two formerly paved spaces on
the UW's west campus that were transformed into green space for staff
and students; and a series of gardens for a foster home for children
with AIDS in New York City.
Camino Seguro/Safe Passage
Located in both Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala, Safe Passage was
founded in 1999 in an effort to help the poorest of Guatemala’s
children break out of poverty in a dignified and permanent way through
education. Working with children living near the garbage dump, Safe Passage
has turned the dream of education into a reality for more than 500 children.
Children are the hidden victims of poverty. As innocent victims, born
into poverty, they are forced by their parents to drop out of school
and work aside their families to pick through the garbage and sell what
they can, to eke out their minimal survival, amidst the domestic violence,
alcoholism, and drug and sexual abuse that plagues their neighborhoods.
Safe Passage offers a wide range of services for the children of these
families. By providing ongoing school support in the form of school enrollment,
supplies, books and uniforms, Safe Passage supports children in twelve
area public schools. Each child can earn assistance with clothing, shoes
and other needed items, by regularly attending school and the daily reinforcement
program. Safe Passage also provides home and school visits to provide
each child with additional support and a powerful awareness that someone
cares deeply about them and their future.
The reinforcement program assists children with their homework and provides
creative, meaningful hands on activities to reinforce their skills. Safe
Passage depends on local and foreign volunteers to provide the children
with individual attention they so desperately need. Volunteers are instrumental
in the planning and administration of these activities. The park will
play a significant role in the activities Safe Passage administers. It
is intended to be a place of learning, recreation, exploration and healing.
As a safe place, where children can express themselves as children, they
will also learn about their local culture and ecology. The park will
be a unique refuge in a neighborhood torn between poverty, violence and
despair.
This collaborative relationship between the Safe Passage and the University
of Washington offers a wonderful opportunity to combine teaching, research
and to develop across discipline interaction between the Safe Passage
personnel and the Department of Landscape Architecture. The design/build
program represents an innovative model for teaching, intellectual exchange
and service learning, and when realized, will provide a valuable community
asset for the people of Zona #3 Guatemala City.
Courses and Credits
Students will receive 12 quarter credits.
Course credit will be discussed with each accepted student to the Guatemala
Program. Currently enrolled UW Landscape Architecture students must meet
with the graduate or undergraduate program coordinators PRIOR to departure
for approval of coursework listed below:
LARC 498/598 6-credit Design Build Studio
LARC 411 3-credit Landscape Graphics
LARC 499/600 3-credit Independent Study
Schedule
The Guatemala Design Build Landscape Program will begin in Antigua, Guatemala
on Saturday, June 17th, 2006 and end on Saturday, August 5th, 2006. During
this time, participants will see Guatemala City and travel within the
country to see natural and cultural sites including Tikal and Copan.
Preparation and Orientation
A preparatory 1- credit seminar course (L Arch 498B/598B) will be taught
by Professor Winterbottom in Spring Quarter 2006 beginning April 24th.
This class is not required, but is recommended for all students enrolled
in the program.
In addition, students will attend the FIUTS/IPE Mandatory Pre-Departure
Orientation prior to departure in May 2006. Dates and details regarding
this orientation can be found at http://ipe.washington.edu. Students
who live outside of the Seattle-area will be able to make arrangements
with FIUTS to receive their orientation packets via mail and email.
Housing & Meals
All student housing between June 17th and August 5th will be provided
by the program. Housing in Antigua will be in hotel or dormitory rooms
with multiple occupancy. Most of the food in Antigua will be provided
by the program except meals during the student’s assigned days
off. Snacks and other food items will be at the student’s expense.
We are organizing potential field trips, however these are subject to
change.
Transportation
All transportation during the program, except as noted below, will be
provided by the program. Students are responsible for round trip air
travel to Guatemala, any public transportation and housing during days
off, and any travel within Guatemala or outside of the country, after
the program ends.
To enable you to estimate costs, a round trip plane flight from Seattle
is approximately $450.00.
Guatemala City is a relatively large city and accessible by bus or taxicabs.
Antigua is a relatively small city and accessible by walking or taxicabs.
Physical Conditions and Medical Precautions
The program will take place in an impoverished urban site. Because of
this, students will be required to have a pre-departure physical and
to arrange for the recommended inoculations. If you have an existing
medical condition, discuss this with your doctor so that s/he can assess
your needs prior to departure. The work will require students to be in
good physical and mental condition--see the Technical Standards in the
application at the end of this brochure.
The link below is the U.S. State Department's Travel Advisory Website.
There are many links about health and safety to which you may refer,
both in general and in relation to Guatemala.
Reference: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1030.html
Student Eligibility
Advanced undergraduate and graduate students in landscape architecture,
architecture, anthropology, fine arts and any other related fields may
apply. Program emphasis is on, but not limited to students who are preparing
for professional careers in environmental design disciplines. Participants
are selected on the basis of high scholarship, academic preparation,
motivation, emotional maturity, and financial responsibility.
A maximum of 15 students will be accepted.
How to Apply
All interested students must fill out the attached application form and
mail (Rachel Ward, 224 Gould Hall, Box 355726, UW Seattle, WA 98195-5726)
or email (nina@u.washington.edu) no later than Monday April 17, 2006.
In addition, a non-refundable deposit of $250.00 must be received to
secure your position, and must be received by the same date. If you are
accepted, the deposit will apply to the program fee. The deposit will
be returned to you if you are not accepted to the program. Students will
be notified by Monday May 1, 2006 of their status.
Turn in all materials to Rachel Ward in CAUP Dean’s Office 224
Gould Hall. When your application is logged in, a $250 application deposit
will be charged to your student account. See Program Cost and Payment
Plan.
Application Deadline
Application deadline is Monday April 17, 2006. Program applicants will
be notified of acceptance or denial by Monday May 1, 2006.
Program Costs
The Program Fee for each student is $3,500.00. This total includes the
$250 deposit, housing in Guatemala, transportation within Guatemala,
and all meals during the project activities. Not included are IPE fee
(see below), student health insurance, airfare, personal pocket money,
optional field trip costs, travel documents and textbooks.
Office of International Program & Exchanges (IPE)
Students will be concurrently enrolled through the IPE Office (459 Schmitz
Hall); an IPE fee of $200 for this will be charged to your Student Account.
Upon submission of the concurrent enrollment and health screening form
to IPE, participants in the program will be registered by IPE for a FSTDY
course during Summer Quarter 2006. Students will NOT be able to enroll
themselves.
Concurrent Enrollment Forms will be distributed at the FIUTS/IPE Pre-Departure
Orientation and are also available at http://ipe.washington.edu. These
forms should be submitted to IPE on or before June 1, 2006 for Summer
Quarter 2006.
IPE's website is http://www.ipe.washington.edu/
Non-UW Students
Non–UW students should submit the Non-Matriculated Application
for Non-UW Students (available at http://ipe.washington.edu) to IPE upon
acceptance to the program. They will then be given a UW Student Number,
a UW Net ID and access to their MyUW personal page, UW email, etc. The
fee for this is $200 and will be assessed to students’ new UW accounts
upon receipt of the form.
Payment Plan
A $250.00 will be charged to your student account when you apply to the
program. Payment of this deposit will complete your application and guarantee
your consideration for the program. Applications should be submitted
to Rachel Ward, College of Architecture and Urban Planning Dean’s
Office, 224 Gould Hall.
$250 will be charged to your account at time of application
$1500 will be charged to your account on May 5, 2006
$1750 will be charged to your account on May 31, 2006
All payments will be made at Student Fiscal Services, 129 Schmitz Hall
or electronically via MyUW.
Insurance
All students participating in international programs must be covered
by some kind of student insurance. Students in University of Washington
degree programs may purchase UW student insurance or other coverage;
others may provide proof of insurance through their families, etc. Please
provide proof of insurance coverage at time of application. Currently,
UW student health insurance is $371 per quarter. Next year's rate will
increase when insurance carrier rates increase. 1. University insurance
is purchased from Office of International Programs and Exchanges (IPE),
who can also give you information on other insurance carriers if you
want to explore insurance other than the University’s policy. Please
visit http://ipe.washington.edu for more information regarding insurance.
Financial Aid
If you have Financial Aid, when your award comes through it will be automatically
applied to your Student Account, to which the Program Fee will have been
charged. If you are awarded more than that amount, you should be sure
to have Direct Deposit set up prior to departure. If you are awarded
less than the amount owed, you will be responsible to pay the balance
while you are in Guatemala.
Most forms of financial aid can be utilized during participation in this
program. Participants who are on financial aid should contact the Financial
Aid Office to verify that their awards will apply. Students interested
in applying for increased financial aid during their quarter of study
abroad should obtain a revision request from the Financial Aid office,
and a budget of student expenses from the IPE office, and submit both
to the Financial Aid office in Schmitz Hall.
Students should reference http://ipe.washington.edu for information about
scholarships, including the quarterly IPE scholarship.
Withdrawal Policy
Any students not accepted to the program will receive a refund for the
$250 program deposit. For all accepted applicants, this fee is non-refundable.
Any accepted student withdrawing from the program by May 5, 2006 will
be refunded all but the non-refundable $250 program deposit. Any student
withdrawing from the program after this deadline will be liable for the
non-refundable $250 program deposit and any non-recoverable payments
already made or committed on behalf of the participant, which could range
from $500 to the entire program fee. Notice of withdrawal from the program
must be made in writing to the program faculty and a copy provided to
the CAUP Dean’s Office.
Changes in Cost or Scope of Program
In the event of significant devaluation of the dollar, some adjustments
to program activities may be necessary. If such a change occurs, students
will be notified of the changes in the program and options for the students
will be given.
Program Cancellation
If viable enrollment is not reached by April 19th, the program will be
canceled and all money paid in, including the application fee, will be
refunded
Questions about the Program
Questions should be directed to Daniel Winterbottom (nina@u.washington.edu).
There will be at least one informational session before applications
are due.
Click here to download .pdf of Suriname Information
Packet and Application.