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University Practicum

Are you looking for a life-changing experience where you can develop professionally and personally?

Are you looking for an opportunity to gain credits and hands-on experience to progress in your studies?

Are you looking for an opportunity to expand your skills and knowledge by doing something impactful?

At the Chilcotin Ark Institute, we believe a University Practicum should be more than just a line item on your resume – it should be a life-changing experience profoundly expanding your vision of who you can be and what you can accomplish. In all of our Practicums, we challenge you to clearly identify and continuously re-evaluate your interests, goals, and purpose. Therefore, while you will certainly gain valuable work experience, you are not restricted to this and you get a holistic experience of what life on a ranch based research centre entails.

Practicums with the Chilcotin Ark Institute:

Sustainable Ranching
Sustainable Forest and Ecology
Environment and Biodiversity Conservation
Non-Profit Administration
Non-Profit Marketing


Not relevant to your studies? Check out practicum opportunities with our Partner, Wilderness Trails.

Experiential Learning

All University practicums focus on experiential learning. You will get involved in hands-on experiences and will connect theories and knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world situations. Learning by doing in combination with reflection, empowers you to take charge of your learning and development.

Requirements

You are currently enrolled in University. You are committed to your personal development and contribute towards our six principle philosophy and the self-sufficient lifestyle of our community. You take responsibility for your personal development on a daily basis and create a positive environment around you. You are self – motivated, and are ready to create your own schedule that meets your personal development interests and daily responsibilities. You want to be a part of something larger than yourself, contributing towards conservation and our communal lifestyle. You support the community and get involved in group activities, such as weekly success reviews, daily meetings, planning communal activities and taking care of daily ranch chores which includes cooking shared meals, daily dishes and housekeeping, looking after the animals including horses, chickens, dogs and cats.

Benefits of our University Practicum:

  • Live by our Six principles of Nature Connection, Nature Conservation, Personal Development, Self-Sufficiency, Empowerment, and Conscious & Aware.
  • Your Personal Development is the priority of your experience, so we facilitate the environment and materials, such as access to a vast amount of online training programs, in house procedure binders and mentorship, for you to grow and evolve towards your best self.
  • You become part of our community where we support each other in our goals and mission and share our personal experiences on a daily basis. 
  • Develop your skills in being flexible and adaptable, resilience, leadership, efficiency, team work, problem-solving, responsibility, initiative-taking, commitment and keeping a positive attitude no matter the challenge
  • You will live and work in a remote wilderness environment and experience a new lifestyle, where you reconnect with nature and yourself.
  • You create your own schedule that meets your interests and moves you towards your goals.

Our international interns join us on a co-op visa under the International Experience Canada Program. More information can be found on the IRCC website.