We are proud of the diversity of the students we attract. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that may help give you a better idea of what our students are like and how you would fit in:

I don't have a backgound in science or environmental studies, is that a prerequisite?
No. Living Routes programs are interdisciplinary and students come to us from a wide variety of disciplines. Students usually have a general interest in sustainable living, but majors vary, including: political science, English, biology, environmental studies, sustainable development, African studies, anthropology, world religions, French, Latin American studies, fine arts, agriculture, and psychology. Some students have yet to declare a major or minor, and several have designed their own. Outside of the classroom, students have a wide array of personal interests, which they bring to the group and integrate into their learning abroad.

I'm not enrolled in school at the moment, can I still participate?
Yes, you can study with us at any point in your educational journey, before you begin college, as a freshman, if you've taken some time off, even as a senior or graduate. Living Routes programs offer college credit that will transfer to most schools, but some students do not need the credit and decide to pursue the program for the learning and growth, personally and professionally.

What is the minimum GPA you require? How competitive is it to get in?
Our mission is to help students develop the skills, understanding and inspiration to create a better world. We are looking for students who want and are ready to take advantage of our transformational educational opportunities.

Our admissions decisions are based on looking at the whole person, and not just a grade point average. While we like to see a 2.5 or better, we weigh more heavily factors such as references, maturity, dedication and passion (as evidenced by the application essay and phone interview), understanding of the aims of the program and the ecovillage, and life experience. Our programs are filled on a rolling admissions basis, and can fill several months before a program's start date. It is never too early to apply. We have also experienced last minute openings due to cancellations and have been able to accommodate applications significantly past our deadline.

I have some food allergies and/or health issues – can I still study abroad in ecovillages?
We have had many students with a variety of special needs participate in our programs. We work individually with each student and our faculty and directors in the ecovillages and do our utmost to meet your needs. Certain conditions are more serious and require a doctor's approval or recommendation. Rest assured that your health and safety are our primary concern – we strive to make our programs accessible to all those who can safely and productively benefit from them.

I'm worried about the cost – I'm not sure I can afford your program.
We strive to price our programs as fairly as possible so that they will be accessible to the largest possible number of students. The basic cost of our semester programs, for example, is similar to the semester cost of tuition and room and board at many state universities. Students are usually able to apply much of their financial aid awards to our programs. Please check with your financial aid office for more details. Nonetheless, we understand that our programs can be too expensive for some, and offer need-based scholarships to help bridge that gap. As we are a young organization, they are not large awards – but we strive to help where we can.

I really want to learn about the host country language and culture. Can I do this in ecovillages?
Definitely. Programs are tailored for students to experience the culture of the ecovillage and the region. Indeed, many seminars and lectures are offered by local experts and professionals. Students pursue internships and service learning projects that often take them to indigenous communities where they work and learn side-by-side with locals. Our Senegal program, for example, pairs students with Senegalese university students who participate in seminars and fieldwork and provide a unique level of access to the local languages and culture. Finally, all programs involve extensive educational excursions whereby students explore sites of cultural, historic and ecological importance and engage directly with indigenous populations.

I'm interested in studying abroad for more than one semester. Is that possible?
Yes. Students can participate in two consecutive semester programs (choosing from India, Scotland, and Senegal) or combine a semester program with one of our summer or January term programs. In fact, most students report in their evaluations that they wish they could go on and continue their experience. Those who have done so, have enjoyed an incredible opportunity to deepen their learning, explore new subject matter and compare and contrast the approaches to sustainability in the vastly different ecovillages and countries where our programs take place.


For FAQs on the admissions process, financial aid, living and studying in ecovillages and other topics, please click here.