Our registered NGO, SLIC Dominica , is a vibrant organisation, which now has signed memorandums of understanding with a number of overseas universities.
These universities visit us in groups to participate in our study programmes, and some of their students come here to do their internship individually to do their thesis or studies abroad programmes.
Interns are expected to carry out simliar duties to our volunteers, but their work load is lighter in order to allow time for the main project or thesis.
So far we have welcomed students from Vermont, Miami Ohio and Atlanta, and each of their projects have been unique and fascinating.
" Hi, I’m Sim (Simeon Lagier) and I came to 3 Rivers as an intern to complete my studies in the tourism industry. I ended there because I’m interested in ecotourism, and small structure business, but also because I am very lucky!!!
My purpose was to learn about sustainable hotel management, and to put in application the teaching from university. But more than that, I have learned to build bamboo houses, to maintain a renewable energy system, to take care of an organic garden, to cook for the guest and attempt at the restaurant and the bar, and so many unexpected skills. In one word, I have learned to run a small eco-friendly hotel.
I have also lived a great human experience. The staff welcomed me so warmly and took care of me as a family, I will never forget. Dominica is a small island, but if you are curious and ready to open yourself, you will discover a world far from everything you know. No word can describe, only experience can tell… So once again, thanks to 3 Rivers, and all Dominicans that made my stay one of a kind."
Chris Thompson is a student at Miami University 
As much as I enjoyed learning about, and participating in, the routines that keep 3 Rivers in operation and simultaneously eco-friendly, I would have to say that I will miss the friends I made there the most. Not only the other workers, who I view as a sort of second family, but also other Dominicans, particularly in Grand Fond, that I interacted with, came to know and who trusted me enough to include me in their daily lives. Like others before me I have been moved by my experience here and will never forget it. Special thanks to Jem for allowing me such an opportunity and for creating such a special place : June-July 2007
In May 2007 we met Christina Sasser from the University of Oregon, Environmental Studies department. One of the reasons she was accepted as an intern was because of her passion for organic farming, permeaculture and sustainable living. She has proved an important asset, and gave an enormous ammount of assistance in the gardens, teaching us a few new tricks, and learning our own ones. She made herself part of the team instantly, and put her best into everything she got involved in, including helping to organise a new job shift system, our new restaurant menu, and our 2007 Eco Club community award application for a school garden in the local village of Grand Fond.
"I've had such a great life experience here at 3 Rivers. My internship gave me the opportunity to practice the bio-intensive method, do hands-on work getting projects going, and to meet really wonderful people from Dominica, and all over the world."
Click here to see her excellent slide show of the time she spent in Dominica.
Zac Andereck is a student at Miami University in Ohio, another university that has close ties with 3 Rivers and SLIC.
Having already stayed at 3 Rivers earlier in the year as part of the annual Miami student group, he returned to Dominica to work on his university thesis: A study of landslides in Dominica. He was a great help in all aspect of 3 Rivers life. Some of his maps are on the maps section of this website, and the rest of his project can be read by clicking here.
The University of Vermont have been working with us for a few years now. Each year their porofessor, Gary Flomenhoft brings groups of students to 3 rivers to work on practical community renewable energy installations. One of their students, Mike Bartelloni had already stayed with us once as a volunteer, and then returned to do an amzing thesis. His study looked at the new education centre for SLIC, our NGO. He designed, planned and worked with local organisations and the prison service to begin construction of the building, made with renewable materials and powered in a sustainable fashion. Despite some setbacks and difficulties, Mike worked extremely hard to see hism project to fruition and successfully graduate in 2006.
Click here to read his thesis.
Jenny Schieldecker from Atlanta in the United States, did her
thesis here whilst studying socially responsible architecture in Barcelona. SHe investigated the numerous squatter settlements here in Dominica, and the government's programme to assit those squatters in buying their land at affordable rates.
Click here to see the details of her findings.
So, if you are serious about your studies, and think that 3 Rivers Eco Lodge dominica could be the place for you, then please do contact us to discuss matters.
