Scotland Observation & Research Assignments

SUMMER 2013: 6 WEEK PROGRAM

YEAR ROUND: 1, 2 OR 3 MONTH PROGRAMS

 Veterinary and Psychology placements are full for 2013, APPLY NOW for Summer 2014

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. 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.

These are select, serious educational and research-oriented assignments for mature, independent students looking to add knowledge and expertise to their academic major.  

Year round start dates are also available for some 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:

• Veterinary medicine (The Veterinary Observation & Research placements are competitive. Applications are reviewed by the research staff in Scotland for final confirmation.)
• Horticulture
• Agricultural business and marketing
• Agricultural economics
• Nutrition/dietetics, food certification and inspections
• Child care
• Psychology 
  

 See the 'Assignment Sectors' tab for more details on each position and for year round availability. Places are limited.

These Adelante Abroad programs are all located in and around the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, which is the best base to both live in and to explore Scotland during your days off.  (There is also an incredible opportunity we have created for all things Horticulture / Historic Gardening / Landscape in the idyllic town of Pitlochry – see description below)  Summer provides better weather to experience the beauty and history of this off-the-beaten-path 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 Abroad, LLC is not a “middle man” or “agent”.  Rather, we create proprietary, customized programs for our individual, screened candidates.  To do this we use long standing contacts in our respective countries of operation and negotiated rates for services provided abroad, including but not limited to airport pickup  services, language coursework and university coursework services, excursion services, and housing services worldwide.  What each candidate receives is exclusive to Adelante, only available through Adelante Abroad, LLC.  More importantly, our staff of Advisors and Directors abroad are professionals in the international higher education and student exchange industry, used to working with foreign candidates and often times with  complimentary professional careers in place as well as their service to Adelante Abroad. These are your contacts while in-country for most aspects of the program and all have both day and evening phone access.

Adelante Abroad's Observation and Research Program in Scotland aims to match serious students with academic observational and research assignments in a variety of different sectors. All program 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 28th to July 9th, 2013)

HORTICULTURE (2 to 3 places available)

Horticulture positions are available in either Edinburgh or Pitlochry. These assignments both provide hands-on, practical experience in garden maintenance and design based in wonderful gardens with an interesting history and a fantastic array of botanical species.

In Pitlochry, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, our candidates are placed in a unique public garden, where they will learn its history while observing and participating in various garden procedures and activities. Students will assist full-time in the traditional projects of maintenance, irrigation, mulching, planting and labeling. Candidates will also have the opportunity to visit a number of private and public gardens throughout the Scottish Highlands, including Gardening Scotland, one of Scotland's major horticultural expositions.

Candidates in Edinburgh are placed at a botanical garden where they will participate in a variety of gardening activities both in the many greenhouses and outside. Tasks may include planting, repotting, damping down, deadheading and removing damaged plant parts, taking inventory, general maintenance. Candidates may also assist with educational and design projects.

Accommodation: Centrally located shared apartment (fully furnished, includes shared kitchen, living room/dining room and bathroom. Internet access).

VETERINARY RESEARCH (2 places available)

Note: The Veterinary Observation & Research placements are competitive. Applications are reviewed by the research staff in Scotland for final confirmation.

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)

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.

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).

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS AND MARKETING    (2 places 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)

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)

PSYCHOLOGY (2 places available)

(June 20th to July 31st,2013)

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.

 

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.

HORTICULTURE

First Monday of the month, March through September. 2 or 3 months. Program must finish by end October.  (limited number of spots available).

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS AND MARKETING  

First Monday of every month, year round.

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY

First Monday of every month, year round.

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.