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Canadian Field Studies in Africa

The application process for this program is now closed.

Please email groupstudy.programs@ubc.ca for potential future programs.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Offered by McGill University in partnership with UBC, Canadian Field Studies in Africa (CFSIA) introduces students to East Africa to increase their understanding of the goals, circumstances, challenges, and opportunities of people living in the areas visited.

Through an increased understanding of Canada's linkage with this area, graduates of the program will be better equipped to become active and effective contributors to sustainable development in Africa, whether by following academic or professional paths, or simply by being more informed global citizens.

More information

ELIGIBILITY

You are eligible for the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program if you:

• Are a UBC student in good standing
• Have a cumulative average of 70% or higher 
• Have completed at least one year of full-time studies at UBC before you begin your exchange
• Are a third- or fourth-year student during your exchange
• Have completed your LPI/English requirements for your faculty

Please note:

• Arts students are eligible to go on exchange in their second year.
• Visiting students at UBC are not eligible to go on exchange.
• Students are not eligible to go on exchange during the last term of their degree. Please contact Shareen Chin, Group Study Program Advisor, at shareen.chin@ubc.ca if you have questions or concerns about this policy.

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

English

TERM OFFERED

Winter Term 2, January - April, 2014

PROGRAM FEE

$12,550* CFSIA program fee includes:

• Return airfare from Montreal to East Africa (participants are responsible for transportation to and from Montreal)
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Ground transportation
• Park fees
• Game drives, museum and archaeological site visits, visits to local villages
• African lecturers
• Gratuities for staff in Africa

*Approximately - this fee may be adjusted due to fluctuations in currency, fuel, and airfare charges

Not included:

• Transportation to and from Montreal
• Term 2 Tuition*
• McGill application fee
• Immunizations
• Antimalarial drugs
• Airport fees and taxes
• Visas
• Spending money
• Health or travel insurance
*UBC tuition if admitted to McGill as an exchange student, McGill tuition if admitted to McGill as a visiting student.

AWARDS

Go Global Scholarship

All undergraduate students nominated for exchange or research abroad are automatically considered.  A separate application is not required.  The scholarship will be awarded on a competitive basis to those with the highest average on their best 27 credits in the Winter Session before the exchange (with no failed or incomplete courses).  If you were on a co-op work term, you must have at least 13.5 credits in the other term.

Mobility Award

Quebec residents, Canadian, and International students participating in an official exchange, field study semester, study-on-own, research or internship program may be entitled to a bursary for international studies.

COURSES

Courses will be run in three sessions, each lasting three weeks. At least two McGill faculty members will be with the group in each session. UBC faculty may also be involved.

All credit earned on this program will be considered UBC credit. A full semester of credits is offered, with two required "context courses" that engage all participants in structured observation, theoretical interpretation, and thorough discussion of the ecological and cultural aspects of the trip, and opportunities for advanced study with leading scholars in Arts or Science curriculum areas. Students also select one of the arts and sciences courses offered in each of the three sessions.

We encourage students to take courses from outside their disciplines to enhance both their academic experience and African experience of the Canadian Field Studies in Africa Program. If you are an Arts student, please consider taking a science course, and if you are a Science student, please consider taking a humanities course. 

All students must take both context courses and one course in each of the three sessions.

Additional course information

Additional Information About Transfer Credit

TIMELINES

• March 1, 2013: Application due to Go Global

• May/June: Interviews
• One week before departure: Orientation in Montreal at McGill University. Presence is mandatory for all successful applicants. The week will consist of preparatory lectures and events. Students are responsible for transportation to Montreal as well as room and board for the week. McGill can connect students for the purposes of billeting during this week.

APPLICATION 

The application process for this program is now closed.

Please email groupstudy.programs@ubc.ca for potential future programs.

FEE REFUND POLICY

Application Fee

If you decide to withdraw your application following submission, but prior to paying the deposit to McGill, you need to make this request in writing by email to Shareen Chin, the Group Study Program Advisor, at shareen.chin@ubc.ca. Please be sure to consult the Group Study Refund Policy terms.

Withdrawal by the student

• Deposit is fully refundable up to the time of the first installment; it is non-refundable thereafter
• First installment fully refundable for any reason until we purchase airline tickets. After we purchase airline tickets, you will be refunded $7,000 less the value of the airfare. To take advantage of seat sales, ticket purchase may be as early as September 15. The value of the ticket is non-refundable, therefore we strongly recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance in the event the Africa Field Study Semester is cancelled or you are unable to travel.
• Second installment: Because there are fixed costs associated with the program that must be paid regardless of the number of students participating, only 50% of the two installments, less the value of the airfare, can be refunded for withdrawal after November 1. If a student can be recruited from the waiting list, a larger refund may be possible, but neither McGill nor the AFSS can offer any assurance that late recruitment will be possible.

Cancellation or termination by the University

• The African Field Study Semester is subject to security reviews right up to the time of departure. If the AFSS is cancelled by the University for security or any other reason, there will be costs associated with the cancellation. Certain pre-paid, fixed costs cannot be transferred. Applicants must be aware that security is a top priority for the AFSS and, if there are doubts about meeting our security standards, the AFSS will be cancelled at the University’s discretion.

Cancellation of the Program BEFORE departure

• 80% of the two installments will be refunded less the value of the airfare.

Termination of the Program AFTER departure 

• Termination would occur only under exceptional circumstances. Based on the emergency response strategy, a decision about possible refunds would be undertaken only after the safe return of all participants and assessment of related expenses.

CONTACT

For questions about the application process and/or funding and scholarship eligibility, please contact Shareen Chin, Group Study Program Advisor at Go Global, at shareen.chin@ubc.ca.