1.00 - 4.00 Credits
This course trains students in basic cross-cultural awareness then places students in communities with indigenous and/or agrarian families. The purpose of this course is to develop understanding of another culture as well as to highlight the student's home culture and privilege, without judgement, ultimately becoming more self-aware as a global citizen. This immersion in a locally sustainable family setting also illuminates human ecology issues and political issues relate to power. The course looks at the benefits and pitfalls of ecotourism, using a systems approach to look at sustainable tourism in international settings. The sustainability model includes the triple bottom line of ecological, economic, and social sustainability with humans as an integral part of the ecosystem.