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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have a question you don't see below or that wasn't answered by the information packet? Email: usds@foresightdesign.org
What are the costs, deadlines, dates? Who do I contact for more information?
See the USDS program page and/or download the information packet when it becomes available in December.
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Who teaches the program?
USDS is directed and primarily taught by Peter Nicholson, the Founder and Executive Director of the Foresight Design Initiative. (His bio is included in the information and application packet.) A Foresight staff member, and sometimes a USDS work/study student, provide additional program support. Guest speakers are often invited to the studio to provide project critiques, as well as to discuss their own work. A strong emphasis is placed on the group experience, i.e. working collaboratively and learning from each others' unique perspectives.
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Are you looking exclusively for Environmental Studies majors? Would my non-environmental background and experiences (e.g. research, internships, etc.) be appropriate for this program?
We are seeking candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, interests, skills, etc. The project and group experience will be most successful if the participants are multi-disciplinary – with interests as diverse as arts/music, policy/law, economics/business, environmental/sustainability, social justice & welfare, community/economic development, psychology, sociology, anthropology... And so on.
The purpose of the program is to develop one's ability to solve problems creatively, to think holistically and systemically, and to design and communicate effectively. These skills are vital to implementation in any field, not just environmental work. We're seeking participants that aspire to these sorts of skills – and we realize that these people are not exclusively Environmental Studies majors or even current students for that matter. Furthermore, the end products (i.e. deliverables) of the month-long program will be enriched if they incorporate multiple perspectives.
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What kind of people have participated in the past? What type of participants are you looking for?
A diversity of participants contribute to creating a dynamic and engaging experience. Projects benefit from teams with a multitude of skills and perspectives. Past attendees have come with a variety of skills, levels of experience and backgrounds, including music, anthopology, psychology, design, urban planning, environmental studies, architecture, to name but a few. They all shared a serious interest in sustainability. What is crucial to each group is an ability to work together, to be resourceful, to learn by doing, to be creative and realistic (and visionary), to be self-directed, to not be afraid to explore and fail and learn and succeed. A sense of humor is also useful, if not mandatory.
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I would like to include slides or other non-digital items as part of my program application. Can I send them via mail?
We'd appreciate it if everything were submitted digitally (e.g. digital photos of physical items or artwork, etc.). Contact us if this is problem.
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I'm from out of town, what are the housing options and costs?
Participants are required to secure their own lodging. Foresight will assist with referrals to places that have hosted interns in the past. These range from "host' families to a local housing and dining Co-op to a residential hotel. Chicago also has a robust rental housing market that often has (furnished) sublets available. Craig's List and the Chicago Reader are good resources. Costs can vary widely depending on the situation. Interns and participants in the past have been able to secure spaces for a few hundred dollars or, in some cases, less. The co-op is very reasonable and their price (usually between $400-$500) includes food. They do, however, have an application and interview process they require all potential residents to complete.
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Will the program require all of my time, or would it be possible to do another job/activity?
USDS is an intensive, full-time undertaking, requiring a minimum of 40hrs per week. Sustainable innovation is a broad field requiring multiple skills and experiences. The program's ambition is to provide as much as possible in the given time period. Several of the projects are of sufficient scope that they, and the participants, will only truly benefit from a full-time effort.
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Can you describe a typical day?
Every day tends to be different. Project demands often dictate whether the group will be working together, split into smaller subsets, looking up information on the Internet, meeting with local leaders, gathering information at client meetings, catching up on readings, writing a design brief, designing presentation graphics, etc. It is easier to describe is a typical week, which includes all of the above as well as (usually) two group meetings, (at least) one guest speaker and field trip, and a book/reading discussion. Participants spend time out and about, as well as in the studio, sharing the results of their research, devising next steps, determining priorities, or eating lunch. It's a dynamic and somewhat fast-paced environment designed to be fulfilling and rewarding.
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Can I receive class credit for participating on the program?
Foresight does not currently offer class credit for participation on the progam. However, if students are able to facilitate this through their institution, Foresight will work with them to file the necessary forms. Given the hybrid nature of USDS, fulfilling an internship or experiential learning requirement is probably most likely/feasible.
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Do I have to be a student?
No. The program is open to participants who are college-age or older, whether actively enrolled or not.
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