Environmental Learning Institute

2004-2005 Reference Form

www.environmentallearning.org

Note: This information is critical to the student’s application and incomplete data may delay the application review process.  The student will be able to see your recommendation for admission.

To the Applicant: Please complete the top section of this form and give it to a teacher/professor or academic counselor who is well acquainted with you. Please ask your reference to return the form to you and then mail it to: Admissions, Environmental Learning Institute, PO Box 3727, Tucson, AZ 85722 USA.

Applicant Name:

Phone:

Address:

ELI Program Title:

ELI Program Date:

Applicant’s signature:

Date:

To the Reference:

A Word about Expeditionary Learning

An expedition is an intentional short-term team-based exploration in which all participants work towards accomplishing a mutually agreed upon mission.  Expeditions typically take place in environments that are new to the team participants. The mission of the Environmental Learning Institute is to learn, through a rigorous academically-oriented  immersion, about the ecosystems and the communities whose lives are within these ecosystems.  Members of an expedition team must have specific attributes to achieve success:  flexibility, adaptability, patience, developing a culture of safety, good listening skills, good communication, acknowledging, respecting and utilizing differences, build on one another’s strengths, collaboration, trust, respecting one another’s physical and emotional space, a sense of humor.

Prerequisites
Applicants for all programs should be at least 18 years of age and have completed at least one college-level biology, geology or environmental science course and one semester/quarter of college. All applicants are required to submit a Environmental Learning Institute application form and a reference letter from their faculty advisor or study abroad office before their application will be reviewed. The reference form should document that the applicant has completed the required coursework, is in academic good standing and is of sufficient maturity to participate in an expeditionary study abroad program.

The Environmental Learning Institute greatly appreciates your comments for evaluating the student for admission.

  1. How long have you known the applicant?
  2. In what capacity?
  3. How well do you feel you know the applicant?
  4. What are the strengths the applicant will bring to this program?
  5. How would you expect the applicant’s personality to affect his/her performance on this type of academic experience?
  6. Please place yourself in the role of a Environmental Learning Institute faculty member and, understanding the rigors of expeditionary learning, would you want this applicant to be a participant?
  7. If there are any additional data about the participant that you feel we should know, please feel free to make additional comments on this form or attach additional sheets if necessary.

Please complete this form as soon as possible and return it to the student.

Signature:

Date:

Printed Name:

Title/Department:

Institution:

Phone:

Mailing Address:

E-Mail: