The stay

Our theme : wild animals in the city

Did you know that London is full of wildlife ? Deer, foxes and other parakeets live freely in the parks. SSometimes they even venture into the city center.

This trip focuses on foxes : the number has doubled in 20 years, and some are so used to humans that they come into houses ! They make their dens in holes, pipes or under boards, and feed on small wild animals and food waste. In most neighbourhoods you can easily spot them at dusk. Locals are divided about them : some find it nice to see a wild animal, others think they would be better off in nature, others are afraid of diseases, others don’t like that foxes are dispersing the rubbish bins.

How to conduct the investigation

You will investigate the relationships between humans and foxes and use the methods of social sciences and journalism : interview experts, search for documentation, survey users, analyze statistics, etc. Depending on the week, you will speak with the managers of a shelter for injured animals, environmental associations, lawyers specializing in the rights of nature, city services, etc. And of course, we will go and observe the foxes firsthand ! You will carry out your investigation on the field, and you will choose yourself the way to carry out your results : awareness video, information panel, contradictory debate, press article, etc.

A new type of linguistic camp

Classic linguistic stays usually alternate English lessons and tourist visits. Objectif Sciences International offers you a completely different concept : no courses, but continuous immersion. Participants learn through direct and concrete practice by working on the fox project.

You will practice English throughout the day, through interactions with educators, fun challenges, small vocabulary games, English documentation, etc. Of course, our educators will adapt to each person’s level and help you progress according to your personal needs.

What you will learn

You will discover several notions on the field : ecosystem, interaction, scale of analysis, order of magnitude... You will also become familiar with environmental issues in mega-cities.

In addition, you will practice various essential skills : interviewing strangers will help you overcome your shyness, practicing English on a daily basis will make you progress significantly, interviewing experts will train you to actively listen to an interlocutor, preparing the return of your stay will teach you how to organize your ideas.

We will be staying at Abercorn Hostel, a nice youth hostel in Hammersmith. You will spend a wonderful week in London, discovering British culture, visiting the most famous monuments, trying a real English breakfast, traveling on the famous red buses…

The research project

The Excellence programme works on ecosystems and the rights of nature. The challenge is how to change the way we look at nature and our collective behaviour so that ecosystems can regain a sustainable balance.

To do this, we need to start by understanding how we interact with the non-human actors in our environment (fauna large and small, flora at all scales, micro-organisms, natural elements such as a river). By modelling these interactions, we can better understand the mutual interdependencies and the way in which an innocent gesture can have repercussions on the system as a whole. We can then ask ourselves how the law could help protect ecosystems.

We work in a community of inspiration with associations committed to the rights of nature, in particular the UN Harmony with Nature programme and the MAPAS association in Brazil.

The location

We’ll be staying in Hammersmith, a typical London district. There are three parks within a few minutes of the hostel where you can relax and get some fresh air. There are also restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world, organic grocery shops and supermarkets for everyday shopping (picnics, snacks, home-cooked meals). It’s also the central station for the famous red double-decker buses. London city centre is just 20 minutes away by tube, and there is a direct line to Heathrow Airport and St Pancras International Station.

Day to day proceedings

Depending on the opening days, the organisation of the project and the wishes of the group, the planned activities include : exploration of the historic centre and discovery of London’s monuments, life-size treasure hunts, sports activities in the parks, games evenings, etc.

The team

The organisers of this trip are :

• Educators and Scientific Educators from the NGO,
• with strong experience in the NGO
• with strong skills in excellence techniques
• Team Leaders in the NGO
• Director of Operations of the NGO’s local group in the country of stay
• Managers at the NGO’s international headquarters
• NGO partners (from the End Ecocide on Earth, Rights of Nature, Rights of Mother Earth networks, etc.)

Accomodation

Participants will be staying at Abercorn House, a youth hostel in Hammersmith. We’ve been going there for several years now, and our participants are always delighted ! The rooms are comfortable, and the kitchens mean that we can cook some memorable meals together.

Logbook

Want to see how it’s done ? https://www.rencontres-excellence.c...

Take with you

REQUIRED PERSONAL DOCUMENTS

 1 Passport
 Photocopy of repatriation insurance
 Photocopy of important documents (passport, plane tickets...)
 Electronic return tickets
 Authorisation to leave France for French minors (AST) : https://www.service-public.fr/parti...
 Prescriptions for any treatment to be taken during the stay

AUTONOMY EQUIPMENT

 65-litre, 20kg rucksack or suitcase (23kg max. otherwise overweight at the airport)
 Small rucksack (30 to 40 litres) for a day’s business. Cabin bag
 1 water bottle (1 or 1.5 litres) (checked baggage)
 Light towel
 Toothbrush
 Biodegradable soap (small volume) (in hold) (Marseille or Aleppo soap)
 Biodegradable shampoo
 Toothpaste (small tube)
 Small personal first-aid kit (plasters, (ampoule), current medical treatment
current medical treatment if necessary : a copy or the original of prescriptions is compulsory)".
 Sun cream

CLOTHING

 Rain coats (Goretex) Windbreaker
 Rain trousers
 Foldable umbrella (recommended)
 Polar fleece x1
 Shoes
 Crocs or sandals
 Hat or cap
 Sunglasses
 Hat
 Socks (number depending on length of stay)
(no low socks)".
 Briefs (number depending on length of stay)
 T-shirts (number depending on length of stay)
 2 pairs of shorts
 2 pairs of light cotton or synthetic trousers (no jeans)

OBSERVATION EQUIPMENT

 Notebook pens Pencil
 Camera (optional)

You can download the kit, complete it and attach it to your child’s belongings :

You can also bring what you would like to DONATE to the association :

 Disguises in good condition
 Scientific equipment (microscopes, oscilloscopes, etc.) in working order
 Usable scientific and technical consumables (electronic components, reagents, etc.)
 Computers capable of supporting at least Windows 8, Linux or Mac
 Useful equipment (video projectors, binoculars, music players and speakers, etc.)
 Incredible but real equipment (working remote-controlled plane, telescope, greenhouse kit, etc.)
 Any other ideas you may have, which you can let us know about in advance to validate their feasibility or interest - in this case, get in touch with the person you are already in contact with.

We are also looking for donations in the form of vehicles,
buildings, bequests, land... if you have a project,
a desire to help us in our mission, contact us !