FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What can I do with an education from AEI?

Students pursue a variety of different fields and graduate programs when they graduate from the B.S. and M.S. programs. Some current alumni positions include:

• Maine Director of Energy Independence and Security
• Senior Logistics Supervisor, L.L. Bean
• Associate Director for Programs
  Prospect Park Audubon Center, Brooklyn, NY
• Youth Bike Education Coordinator
  Bikes Not Bombs
• North Woods Policy Advocate & Outreach Coordinator
  Natural Resources Council of Maine
• Recycling Coordinator, Unlimited Opportunities
• Founding Director, Canoe Expedition for Maine Girls
• Research Specialist, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• U.S. Park Ranger and Education Program Coordinator
  Crater Lake National Park
• Miller, The Country Hen (organic egg farm)
• Earth Science Teacher
• AEI Faculty, Lesley University
• Conservation Planner, The Nature Conservancy
• Professional Mountain Guide
• Outdoor Adventure Camp Director

Do I actually live on a bus?

Students actually camp out during the semester, cooking and sleeping outside. You live out of the bus much like you would live out of a car on a car camping trip. The bus houses the equipment you need for the semester along with an on board library consisting of about 500 regionally specific books.

How long is the field component of each semester?

The field component of each semester is 10 weeks, typically broken up into two 5 week periods separated by a mid term independent study break. On lower 48 semesters the mid term break is usually 3 weeks long. More distant semesters, such as Alaska and Hawaii may have breaks from 1-2 weeks long. There are pre-semester assignments and sometimes post semester assignments.

Where do I meet my bus and learning community?

Students typically meet their bus at a major airport in their region of study. You are responsible for all travel costs getting to and from your bus community at the beginning and end of the semester as well as over mid-term break. Some students go home over break, others stay in hostels or go camping.

How many people will be on one bus or in one community?

Typically you will find between 15-20 students and 3 faculty members on a bus. We can run a program with as few as 12 students and 2 faculty members.

What bioregions are available for study now?

Most recently we have had buses in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Four Corners and other Southwest regions, the Gulf Coast area, the Adirondacks, the Atlantic Coast, and Hawaii. Regions do change and students are asked to express a preference. Students are assigned to regions depending on where they are in their program of study, what the gender balance is and how many students we have. You can find out more at Regions We Explore.

How much time will I spend in the back country?

Individual semesters may vary and our goal is to spend three weeks during the semester in the backcountry – the longest backcountry experience is about ten days. The rest of your nights are spent in public, forest service or private campgrounds as well as on privately owned land or the sovereign lands of First Nations.

Who drives the bus?

Your faculty will drive the bus; they all have commercial driver’s licenses and are qualified bus drivers.

What are the cooking arrangements?

Students are responsible for developing menus, shopping for food and cooking while on the bus. One of the first community meetings determines how everyone's food choices and needs will be accommodated in this process. We do our best to support locally produced food and agriculture and to patronize co-ops whenever possible.

How do I stay in contact with family and friends while in the field?

You are able to make phone calls from most developed campgrounds, gas stations, grocery stores or libraries we use while on the road; a telephone calling card is a must have item. Students are also provided with mail drops using general delivery addresses that move with the bus throughout the semester; you can expect to pick up mail every 2-3 weeks throughout the semester. Of course email is a popular option available at libraries or office service shops such as Kinko's on library days. In an emergency situation students are provided with an emergency contact number that family may call 24 hours a day for messages which can be relayed to the buses. During business hours 8:30 am - 4:30 pm EST you may call the Belfast office. All buses have cellular and/or satellite phones available for in field emergencies.

What about medical care in the field?

All faculty members are at least Wilderness First responder certified and can handle most in field, on scene emergencies. For non emergency treatment local clinics and hospital emergency rooms are the most viable option while in the field. It is important to have a credit card for payment of services as many ER's and clinics require payment at the time of service with reimbursement coming from insurance afterward.

What do I need to know about health insurance?

All AEI students are required to have health insurance. You have the option to use your own health insurance provider (you must sign a Lesley waiver) or the Lesley University health insurance program. Lesley University is legally required to provide healthcare insurance to all full time students and will automatically enroll you in their program unless you sign the waiver declining Lesley insurance and verifying you own coverage. For more information, see the Lesley University's Student Health Services Web site.

How much spending money would I need?

That will vary from person to person. Some people like to buy snacks, postcards and possibly gifts for friends and family at places we visit such as national parks. You may also need to replace some personal toiletries or buy an item or two of clothing. If you choose to leave the program from a place other than the drop off point (typically a major airport) you are responsible for any additional travel cost from that point. AEI tuition includes meals, group equipment, any group fees (camping, laundry, museums etc.) and travel costs for the entire group while school is in session.

Who can I call in the administrative office with additional questions?

Diem Dangers 
Admissions Counselor, Office of Graduate Admissions and Adult Bachelor's Degree Programs
800.999.1959 ext. 8212
ddangers@lesley.edu

Paige Manning
Assistant Director, Advising and Student Services
800.999.1959 ext. 8489
pmanning@lesley.edu