The ASU Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) degree requires an internship experience which can be fulfilled through the Andes and Amazon Field School.
Two required BIS courses are offered on site in Ecuador and can be taken simultaneously with the internship:

BIS 401 Applied Interdisciplinary Studies   is an internship class that places the student in a practical work situation in various aspects of Amazonian conservation and development.
BIS 402 Senior Seminar: “Amazonian Culture and Sustainable Development” is a capstone course that provides the theoretical framework for the internship experience.  The class examines Amazonian culture as a set of resources or opportunities as well as challenges to sustainable development.   In particular it explores areas of common cross-cultural miscommunication and conflict between native communities and non-native institutions working in the areas of environment, health, and business.  The course explores how these areas of misunderstanding can be turned into opportunities for improved cooperation and learning.  Throughout the course participants visit various organizations and listen to talks from people with years of experience doing business in the Amazon.

The two courses are designed to be taken together to achieve a goal.  The goal is to produce students who have the practical intercultural skills and on the job experience to work with indigenous communities in various aspects of development work. 

Internships