Eastern Michigan University
AC-5: Immersive Experience

1. Becoming Global Citizens in Ecuador (last ran in 2019, offered but cancelled in 2020)
Program Overview
Ecuador is one of the most bio-diverse countries you can visit. This program takes students to Quito, the country's capital, which was one of the first World Cultural Heritage Sites. Described as the "most beautiful big city in South America," students find everything from stunning views to amazing food, with plenty to see and do during your time there.

This program explores Ecuador from a multi-disciplinary perspective (not just education), with a particular emphasis on the idea of developing global citizens. Students examine current challenges and opportunities as they watch films, read articles and stories, meet guest speakers and travel on local excursions. They'll compare and contrast the higher education system in Ecuador with the U.S. as you reflect upon these issues from a global perspective.

2. Environment & Ecology of Ecuador (last ran in 2018, offered but cancelled in 2020)
Program Overview
Tour the small country of Ecuador over two weeks this summer. This country is right on the equator and has everything from snow-capped volcanoes to sandy beaches to lush tropical rainforests. The highlight of this program is a trip deep into the tropical rainforest to experience the sights, sounds and smells of nature that has been barely touched by humans. While the focus of this program is tropical ecology, students also experience and tour modern Ecuador in the capital city of Quito.

3. Our World Fellows Program: Entrepreneurship (last ran in 2019, offered but cancelled in 2020)
Program Overview
The Our World Fellows Program (OWFP) is a summer program administered by Atlantic Impact for students at Eastern Michigan University. This is an extraordinary opportunity for EMU students to lead, inspire, and transform the lives of Detroit High School students from at-risk schools and communities. Each year, Atlantic Impact runs global travel experiences for students in low income urban high schools. To enhance the students’ experiences, we pair each youth with an EMU student mentor, creating a once in a lifetime experience for each pair.

In addition to having an incredible immersion in the culture, history, and life of Barbados, EMU students will also be provided training and gain leadership experience by learning how to effectively work with and improve life outcomes for students from low income communities. This is a great opportunity for any student interested in education, social work, social entrepreneurship, or public and nonprofit administration.

Organization Information
Atlantic Impact is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that partners with high-poverty high schools to provide local and global travel opportunities for students. Our organization believes that it is possible to transform educational outcomes for low income and at-risk students through travel and exposure programs. Schools that make educational trips part of their academic offerings produce students with better grades, higher graduation rates from high school and college, and more positive perceptions of their potential. Unfortunately, over 50% of schools have cut back on educational field trips due to a lack of funds. Atlantic Impact partners high need schools to close this gap.

4. International Service Learning for Social Workers (ran in 2020)
This one-week program runs over Winter Break and provides a unique service learning experience in the rural fishing village of Bluefields, Jamaica. Students experience the culture and food of the region while working with the local population. In addition to daily volunteer work in the local community students participate in several day excursions including a visit to a local plantation and ecological preserve.

5. Technology and Innovation in Cuba (last ran in 2017)
This unique program explores technology and innovation in the country. Technology in Cuba ranges from the low-tech recycling/repurposing of materials to keep old U.S. cars on the road to a high-level biomedical technology sector that is on the cutting edge of medicine. Students have an opportunity to walk the streets of old Havana and see distinctive applications of technology first-hand. They immerse themselves in this unique cultural experience while learning about the creativity and innovation of Cuba’s technology sector and taking in the beauty of this island nation.