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Description
Sólheimar (the "home of the sun") was founded on July 5th 1930 by a pioneering woman, Sesselja H. Sigmundsdóttir (1902-1974), and today all activities in this small eco-village are based on her lifework and visions. Sólheimar is located in Grímsnes in the south of Iceland.
Inspired by the theories of Rudolf Steiner, Sesselja's focus was the cultivation of the individual and the environment.
Sesselja was a passionate advocate for integrating children with and without disabilities, and it was here in Sólheimar where this vision was brought to life. She made a home for children in Sólheimar, and her work emphasized organic horticulture (the first in Scandinavia), healthy food, and artistic expression. Many of these ideas sparked controversy with authorities because at this time in history, it was believed that "healthy" children should not play with those with special needs. It was also believed that the high-vegetable diet promoted by Sesselja was not healthy for the children. These controversies have since faded into history, and the Sólheimar community continues to support a healthy work and living space for those with and without special needs.
Today, Sólheimar is not a children's home anymore but a community where the goal is to give every individual an opportunity in a sustainable society. Sólheimar provides home and workplace to 43 individuals with special needs, and in total, more than 100 people live and work in Sólheimar. 10-15 people reside outside of the Sólheimar community who commute to work here, and a few people live in Sólheimar but do not work. Short and long-term volunteers have worked in Sólheimar for much of its history, and volunteer work continues to be an important aspect of this community.
Study-abroad programs and the internship program also draw people to Sólheimar, and with 30,000-35,000 guests visiting Sólheimar every year, it has become a popular tourist destination year-round.
The aim of Sólheimar is to maximize the potential of each individual. This community is internationally renowned for its artistic and ecological atmosphere and prides itself on its varied cultural, social, and sporting activities.
The activity in Sólheimar is versatile. In the village, there are organic greenhouses, both for vegetable cultivation and a forestry, the only organic forestry in Iceland. There is also a shop/gallery in Sólheimar, a café, a bakery, guesthouses and many art venues throughout the year. There are six workshops in the village; a candle workshop, ceramics, weaving, carpentry, fine art atelier and a herbal workshop that makes soaps, creams, paper etc.
In Sólheimar you will find a church, a sculpture garden, an arboretum, sports hall, gym and a swimming pool, a music garden, an art gallery and during the summer and for Advent a cultural festival with different venues; music, fine art, theater etc. The Eco-center Sesseljuhus was opened in 2002 where most conferences, meetings and other gatherings are held both for the village and visitors.
Position Overview:
With on-going expansion of Sólheimar's educational opportunities, an internship program is being offered for the first time in 2010. This program provides a professional educational opportunity for students to develop personal education goals while gaining insight into environmental and community sustainability and service under the mentorship of Sólheimar staff.
The intern program in Sólheimar is focused on providing an enriching opportunity for students to engage in an educational program committed to sustainability and community in a small eco-village in southern Iceland. Sólheimar is a world-renowned community for those with special needs, and the internship program provides insight into sustainable and compassionate community living with focus on individual student learning projects.
Sólheimar offers 7 internship programs which are:
- Sesseljuhus - environmental internship,
- Forestry
- Organic Horticulture,
- Nærandi - Food production and Bakery,
- Service learning (grocery store and coffee shop )
- Art workshop (weaving, textiles, painting, ceramics, organic soap-making, candle-making, woodworking,
- Carpentry
The 2011 Internship program is divided into four sessions. 6-10 interns are selected per session.
The schedule for 2010 -2011 is as follows:
Winter 2011 Session: Monday, January 3rd -Friday, April 1st
Application Deadline: Monday, November 1st, 2010
Application Notification Date: Thursday, November 8th, 2010
(Also Interns can apply for year Internship from January 3rd )
Spring 2011 Session: Monday, April 4th - Friday, July 1st
Application Deadline: Monday, February 7, 2011
Application Notification Date: Monday, March 7th, 2011
Summer 2011 Session: Monday May 30th -Friday, September 2nd
Application Deadline: Monday, April 4th, 2011
Application Notification Date: Monday, April 18th, 2011
Fall 2011 Session: Monday September 5th -Friday, December 30th
Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Application Notification Date: Friday, April 1, 2011
Carpentry 2011 Session: Monday April 4th -Friday, September 2nd
Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Application Notification Date: Friday, April 1, 2011
Vala - Coffee shop 2011 Session: Monday, May 2nd -Friday, October 28th
Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Application Notification Date: Friday, April 1, 2011
NOTE: Sólheimar is also looking for long-term interns. Interns that apply for a year (from January 3rd 2011) or a six month internship (from January 3rd or July 4th 2011) are in the priority.
To Apply:
If you are concerned in applying to the Sólheimar Internship Program after a careful review of this information, please fill out an application and return it to us by e-mail.
We get many applications so we ask that you take the time to think about your responses to our questions. Please give honest and truthful answers that will allow us to understand why you are interested in the Internship Program and what qualities you feel you can contribute to our community here at Sólheimar. Your participation in this program affects other interns, work staff, and the community- so honest answers are very important.
We also need 3 letters of reference along with your application: 2 professional (study or work related) and one personal. You, or your reference, can download the reference form directly from our website and him/her can send it directly to us via email or by fax. All 3 letters are required by the application deadline!
We will review your application after the application deadline, and contact you with any additional questions if necessary. If you are accepted to the Sesseljahus Internship Program, we will send you an email. We will notify you via email if we are not able to accept you.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Sesseljuhouse staff.