Scotland Observation & Research Assignments

SUMMER 2012: 6 WEEK PROGRAM

YEAR ROUND: 1, 2 OR 3 MONTH PROGRAMS

Over the years we have found that many people are looking for shorter summer programs, 2 months or less. Since this is almost impossible to do with a language component to it, we looked to other, English-speaking destinations. The new Observation and Research Programs in Scotland have been conceptualized with an experienced university specialist, who has secured student internships in Scotland and throughout Europe for almost 20 years.  These are select, serious educational and research-oriented assignments for mature, independent students looking to add knowledge and expertise to their academic major. Placements are within prestigious Policy Centers and Academic Institutions. . Applying early is strongly encouraged, as only a limited number of spots are available within each field. 

For 2012 we are also adding year round start dates for these assignments. Please see the 'Assignment Sectors' tab for start dates by sector.

Adelante's Observational Research Programs offer a unique opportunity to participate in projects or research assignments to make a real contribution to the work of your chosen company or organisation. This will also add valuable experience to your resume as well as putting you in a great location to travel and explore.

6 week Summer Programs are currently available in the fields of agricultural business and marketing, agricultural economics, veterinary medicine, horticulture, nutrition/dietetics, food science, food certification and inspections, psychology and child care. See the 'Assignment Sectors' tab for more details on each position and for year round availability. Places are limited.

Our programs are all located in and around the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, which is a great base to explore Scotland during time off. Summer is a great time to experience the beauty and history of this wonderful location - stunning countryside, beautiful lakes and mountains and picturesque villages can all be reached easily by bus or train.

There are a variety of housing options for our Scotland program and these are dependent on the chosen research assignment. Candidates may live in shared student housing in Edinburgh city center, in college dorm-style Residence Halls or in a homestay with a local Scottish family. See each assignment description for details.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

• You will be met at the airport when you arrive in Scotland and taken directly to your housing.
• Housing - shared apartment, university residence hall or homestay, depending on chosen program (excellent housing with all modern amenities – take a look at the photos!)
• In depth orientation on arrival.
• Observational Research Assignment in chosen sector - all assignments are full time hours, 5 days a week in a Scottish company, university or organisation.
• Academic credit available for research assignment per sector – check with your university.
• Letter of Recommendation available on request

Adelante's Scotland Observation Assignments Program aims to match serious students with academic observational assignments in a variety of different entities. All assignments are full-time hours, 5 days a week. Weekends are free for candidates to travel and explore the beauty of Scotland.

SIX WEEK SUMMER PROGRAMS

YEAR ROUND PROGRAMS

 

SIX WEEK PROGRAMS  GO TO INDEX

 (May 21st to June 29th, 2012)

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS AND MARKETING

Assignment Option 1. (1 place available)  Provide assistance with the development of a new orchard and tree nursery at a small estate in the county of Fife, about 35 miles north of Edinburgh.

The estate is comprised of farmland and woodland and is seeking to become an exemplar of stewardship practice of land, nature and community. The organic farm currently produces primarily cereals, potatoes and beef and they are looking for ways to produce more value.

This student project is to undertake a marketing study as part of the business planning process for the orchard. The key elements of the study would be:

•Scoping demand for organic apples in Fife and Scotland
•Exploring preferences within this demand (eg. cooking/eating apples, particular variety preferences etc)
•Estimating saleable yield and prices 2014 onwards
•Estimating orchard establishment, maintenance, harvesting, storage and distribution costs
•Exploring scope for forward investment in the orchard by using 'community shares' or similar approach
•Exploring other income streams from orchard (eg. sale of trees, sale of apple juice/dried apple rings, provision of courses on grafting/pruning/juicing/cooking/drying etc)
•The student will be given general orientation, technical expertise and support from the farm manager.

Accommodation: Homestay (meals included)

Assignment Option 2. (1 place available)  Assist with establishing a community bakery at an organic farm / restaurant located in the Borders countryside about 16 miles from the centre of Edinburgh.

The farm currently has 40-50 local people signed up as future investors/customers and is developing a not-for-profit company to manage the bakery. By June they hope to be in production in a small converted farm shed, with plans to build a new bakery with two wood-fired ovens and a small organic grain mill in 2012.

This student project will include looking at ways to expand the customer base and product range. For example, production of organic breakfast cereals, cakes, biscuits, pies etc.

Accommodation: Homestay (meals included)

Assignment Option 3. (1 place available)  Assist an organic farm / restaurant located in the Borders countryside, with promoting a 'Food for Life' restaurant at the Royal Highland Show at the end of June.

This project will be working in partnership with two other companies - one is a great organic ice cream maker and the other is an organic farm in Perthshire. The restaurant will showcase fresh, seasonal local and organic food as well as providing information displays and 'meet the producer' sessions at an event which attracts about 175,000 people over the four days of the show.

This student project will involve helping with promotion of the restaurant both before and during the show, and compiling customer feedback.

Another part of this position is to help build a partnership with other organic producers in the Edinburgh area to offer customers a 'one stop shop' for local organic produce, combining online ordering with smart fulfillment. This will require the student to look at what could be gained from producers working together and also to engage potential customers in making the switch from being occasional organic purchasers to people who consciously source their food from local organic farms.

Accommodation: Homestay (meals included)

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY (2 places available)

Students will assist staff at the Rural Policy Center of an Agricultural College in Edinburgh. researching potential issues arising from international agreements relating to the European Union, WTO, climate change, biodiversity and other issues.

Accommodation: Shared apartment in central Edinburgh (includes fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, living/dining room. Internet access)

HORTICULTURE

Our horticulture assignments are both very hands-on and work will include weeding, planting and general garden duties.

Assignment Option 1. (2 places available) Assist with educational and design projects and participate in a variety of greenhouse and outdoor activities at a botanical garden in Edinburgh. There is also the opportunity to visit other gardens throughout Scotland.

Accommodation: Shared apartment in central Edinburgh (fully furnished, includes fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, living/dining room. Internet access)

Assignment Option 2. (2 places available) Assist full-time in the traditional projects of maintenance, irrigation, mulching, planting and labeling at gardens in Pitlochry (70 miles north of Edinburgh). Candidates also have the opportunity to visit a number of gardens, work with the garden volunteers and assist with activities at Garden Scotland, one of Scotland's major horticultural expositions.

Accommodation: Shared apartment in Pitlochry (fully furnished, includes shared kitchen, living room, bathroom)

VETERINARY RESEARCH (2 places available)

Assist the head of anesthesiology and graduate students involved in the care of horses and farm animals undergoing major surgery. Candidates will learn new skills and techniques in clinical case management, applied physiology and pharmacology. This position is available for veterinary students interested in a research project with horses and large animals. This assignment is based at an internationally recognised veterinary school a few miles south of the centre of Edinburgh.

Accommodation: Shared apartment in central Edinburgh (includes fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, living/dining room. Internet access)

FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY  (1 place available)

Assist with a variety of food product evaluations and analysis at a food research institute just outside Edinburgh.

The institute is a consultancy & technology/knowledge transfer unit supporting the Food & Drink sector in Scotland. They provide a variety of services including advanced sensory analysis using trained and consumer panels, new product evaluation and development and assistance to various food companies. The staff also provides physical, microbiological and chemical testing services. Specific student research projects will be determined at the time of the internship.

Accommodation: Shared apartment in central Edinburgh (fully furnished, shared kitchen, living room and bathroom).

HUMAN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS (2 places available)

These are serious research assignments and may include some laboratory work. 

Students will participate in a variety of  research projects at an Edinburgh university, looking at maximizing food intakes through food enrichment. Research may include review of literature about food enrichment and its application in managing under-nutrition in care homes and hospitals, a pilot program called DietPhone which involves mobile phone technology to collect dietary intake data. Other research is in the area of fats and health, in particular omega 3 fats, increasing fish consumption and antioxidants in children. Students also will be involved in the observation of institutional (hospital) food service programs, nurseries, lunch clubs and catering, which will provide insight to nutrition and dietetary practices in the UK.

Accommodation: Shared apartment in University Residence Hall. Private ensuite bedroom with shared living room and kitchen. Breakfast and lunch are available for purchase. Internet access.

FOOD CERTIFICATION AND INSPECTIONS  (1 place available)

Based in Edinburgh, assist the food and farming business across the UK to meet food certification and other business requirements. Activities may include a variety of certification programs covering organic foods, crops, livestock, horticulture, auction markets and feed companies.  Candidates may also observe the inspections of large and small food processing businesses and review product safety and quality issues.

Accommodation: Shared apartment, university residence hall or homestay in central Edinburgh.

PSYCHOLOGY (1 place available)

Research involves mental health, anxiety and emotional health disorders. One project includes studies on the effects of fear on various memory and language functions.

Accommodation: Shared apartment in University Residence Hall. Private ensuite bedroom with shared living room and kitchen. Breakfast and lunch are available for purchase. Internet access.

CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION  (2 places available)

Participate in a childcare program for children age 3 months to 12 years. Candidates will assist in several aspects of the program including program development and training, assisting at clubs, helping with camps. This placement must be considered part of the academic program at the candidate's home university.

This assignment takes place at a well established childcare organization that runs a wide variety of childcare facilities in Edinburgh and the Borders region. They also provide services for children with special needs. The staff manages traditional in-school and after school clubs, breakfast clubs, activity camps and traditional play schemes.

Accommodation: Shared apartment in central Edinburgh. (fully furnished, shared kitchen, living room and bathroom).

YEAR ROUND PROGRAMS  GO TO INDEX

The following sectors are also available at other times of the year for 1, 2 or 3 month programs. Full program descriptions are given above.

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS AND MARKETING - Option 1 & Option 2

First Monday of every month, year round.

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY

First Monday of every month, year round.

HORTICULTURE - Option 2, Pitlochry

First Monday of the month, March through September. Program must finish by end October.  (limited number of spots available).

FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

First Monday of the month, February through June or September through October. Program must finish by end October.

CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION

First Monday of every month, year round.
For placements June through August, candidates have the opportunity to work directly with children. For placements at other times of the year candidates will be involved more with the business aspects of the childcare program.