The instruction at NwC is one of a kind, truly. To be completely honest with you, now that I have graduated and been away from the classroom for a while I can honestly say, looking back, that it was the best instruction I have ever received. Granted NwC is at an advantage being able to have a classroom that is completely hands on, but the level of knowledge in staff is exceptional. The passion that the staff has for what they do and for teaching is contagious.

Instructors at NwC become your mentors, there is an incredible friendship that happens with all of the staff and students while you are living at the Barn... They're genuine, funny, welcoming, and exceptional educators, especially in the field.

This is kind of a difficult one to answer, each day is different, but a general outline for days starts with breakfast in the morning, followed by a morning meeting going over the plan for the day. Then its into the vans and out into the field to meet with speakers, practice WFA skills, do research. You really are in the field from about 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. Then its back to the barn for work time, dinner time, and relax time.

Very good question. I was actually nervous about this one before heading up to Condon and I must say its fantastic. Having been a student and an intern for L&L I was a part of a couple of groups and as to be expected, some groups are really close, some aren't but the nice thing is that NwC tries really hard to get a diverse set of students in every semester which means you end up learning from each other as much as you do from speakers and instructors. The barn itself is just big enough to offer personal space, and also intimate enough of a setting that you start to feel like a little family living down in the valley. I was a student in L&L in 2007 and I am still wonderfully good friends with many of my classmates.

Living conditions at the barn are amazingly comfortable considering the structure. It's almost like staying at a lodge for a semester. And meals are so much fun, they really do become hallmarks for your day with the other students, time to relax, hang out, and cook together. Time in the cookhouse was definitely some of my favorite time spent at the homestead.

I think Landscape & Livelihood's strongest point, which really is a strength of the Northwest Connections staff was the program's ability to bring in SO many different speakers from different backgrounds, of different opinions, and in diverse contexts to really make students think hard about the issues and tensions that exist in conservation efforts, especially those in small communities.

I think the biggest shortcoming of L&L was the amount of time given to it. I feel like I learned as much as I did in an entire year of school in the few short months I was there. Two months just isn't enough time to truly digest everything that you have taken in and been challenged with. Which is where the extra time off at the end of the semester upon returning home becomes crucial.

I understand that, at least for the Wildlife in the West program, there are no prerequisites required, but that the program is designed to teach to varying levels of experience.

In an odd way yes, instruction wasn't explicitly catered to each student, but instead I think students glean from the program what they can considering where they are in their lives and at what stage in their education that are standing. NwC staff is excellent at supporting this individualized growth by challenging students and supporting them to stretch themselves and their opinions.

Not at all. And I can say that with complete confidence. I think the only "type" of student that would struggle in an NwC program would be one that lacks personal motivation and drive to learn. That being said, these kinds of students don't tend to apply for programs like L&L and Wildlife in the West and, even if they did, I think that the program could still be beneficial for them as a space for personal growth.

Yes! I don't know how better to explain it than to honestly tell you that the time I spent in the Swan completely and directly influenced who I am and where I am today. Its a program and an organization that really is one of a kind, and an experience that you'll treasure forever if you choose to participate in the program.