~ Students in the program learn about medicinal herbs on a deeper level due to their increased, hands-on connection, generally on a weekly basis, with the herbs themselves and the activities and tasks of the school. ~ The 50 hours is considered additional elective program hours , which will appear as 50 additional hours on the transcript for the program. Students in the Work Study program will exchange 40% of tuition fees by virtue of being in the program. ~ The program begins mid April and ends with the program ending in October- so you have a good 6 months to complete your fifty hours. One important consideration is that the Work Study Program does require each participant to come up with a schedule - one in which 20 hours are completed before June 30. The schedule is integral to the success of coordinating our work study groups with the tasks at hand. ~ The Medicinal Herbalist Certification program requires a $300 deposit - as does the Work Study option. When ready to apply for this program , after your interview, include the $300 application payment. ~ The program is by contractual agreement with the School. ~ The program opens for application February 1 and closes April 26. We always have a few people who hear about our program for the first time after the closing date, and of course we will consider any openings that remain after that time, but do get an early start if you are reading about this option now, as spaces in the program are limited to 8. ~ Tasks include gathering herbs for harvest, apothecary work, cultivation and care of growing plants, grounds care, and duties related to the school. If someone has specific skills, including computer skills to offer, we are happy to consider your contribution to the Work Study program on an individual basis. ~ It is necessary to be prepared for outdoor work, physical work such as digging, shoveling, raking, hoeing, pulling weeds, turning compost, planting seedlings, mulching, and wild harvest of herbs in the field. If we have larger work study program crews, there is less outdoor work because more people are dividing the work. ~ Ask yourself: Am I able to commute to the Gaia School to complete work study hours? Do I accept gladly that most of the work exchange involves physical work, outdoors, caring for plants? Am I flexible enough to complete a variety of different types of tasks? Am I completely able to put in approximately 8-9 hours per month over 6 months time? Do I accept gladly that most work study sessions are 3-5 hours long, and that more work in one day may not be possible for the school to offer, arrange, and mentor? Do I feel positive about this exchange - 50 additional transcript credit hours, plus an opportunity to learn from hands-on work within a working herb school, plus an exchange saving me tuition fees? If the answers to all these questions is a lighthearted "Yes", you may be one of our ideal candidates for this program. Contact the school for further information: 734-769-7794 |
