Global Skills Opportunity Mount Allison

To be considered for one of the GSO field schools, students should meet the following criteria:

• have completed at least one term of studies at Mount Allison
• be in good academic standing during this current academic year
• be interested in adding an international experience to their MtA experience
• be interested in traveling with a group of people for an educational experience
• be able to demonstrate a genuine openness towards having an international experience during their time at MtA, for all the challenges and rewards that it offers
• stand to represent Mount Allison well while participating on the program
• hold a valid passport (that is good for six months beyond the date of the field school) or have submitted a passport application to a Service Canada office at the time of applying to the field school

In addition, to be considered for one of the GSO field schools, students who identify as one or more of the following will be given priority selection:

• low-income (someone who currently receives either federal and/or provincial student loans in the 2023-2024 and receives a bursary through Mount Allison)
• student with a disability (someone who is registered with the Meighen Centre in the 2023-2024 academic year as having a physical or learning disability or a medical condition)
• Indigenous

Please note that students that do not identify in one of these two categories may still apply. Also please note that international students may apply but are not eligible for GSO funding.

And the following considerations should also be kept in mind:

• Field schools will prioritize applicants that are majoring or minoring in that particular area of study that they are being offered in. Other students that are not majoring or minoring in these programs are still able to apply.
• These field schools are ideally suited for students entering their second or third year of studies. Graduating students are still able to apply but returning students will be prioritized.
• Previous international experience is not a requirement, nor will students with previous international experience be disadvantaged.

Important dates:

• Application period: Nov. 1-15, 2023
• Interview period: Dec. 1-15, 2023 (exact dates will TBA) 
• Selection announcement: Dec. 17, 2023
• Mandatory In-Person Full-Day Pre-Departure Orientation: Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 

Please consult each of the sections for individual field schools to understand what is covered by the Global Skills Opportunity funding for students.  

There is additional travel funding available through Mount Allison as well. 

If the funding for the field school indicates that full expenses will be paid for students for the "program fee" it will be inclusive of the following expenses:

• tuition for one 3-credit course
• return airfare
• accommodations
• meals (Partial meal subsidy)
• insurance
• in-country transportation and other program related fees

This two-week course on cross-cultural sexuality will take place in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Utrecht is one of the largest cities in The Netherlands, but still has a small-town vibe. The Netherlands is known for the country’s comprehensive approach to sex education, openness about sexuality, and low rates of sexually transmitted infections & unintended pregnancies. They are often seen as a model for other countries in sexuality and sex and relationship education.

The class will cover many topics related to sexuality, with a focus on sex education. We will have our own class at Utrecht University and on some days will also join with Utrecht students in their Adolescent Sexuality class. In the course, students will also have the opportunity to learn from experts at Rutgers International, a sex education organization that conducts research and delivers sex and relationships programming in The Netherlands and abroad.

The group will live in shared furnished apartments for the duration of the Field School in the City Centre in Utrëcht. Apartments will be fully equipped with two beds, a kitchen and bathroom. Apartments are close to shops, supermarkets, restaurants and public transportation.

We will also take two day trips to Amsterdam to visit sex-related museums and exhibits. In this class, we will learn how perspectives on sexuality and sex education differ across cultures. There is a specific focus on comparing the Netherlands and Canada, but we will also explore perspectives in other countries.

Highlights

• Explore Utrecht and Amsterdam
• Utrecht is a pedestrian and bike-friendly city – no cars in the downtown centre
• Amsterdam is a 25 min. train ride away
• Museum of Sex in Amsterdam
• Learning from experts at Rutgers International
• Class with Dutch students at Utrecht University 
• Social activities with Dutch students at Utrecht University 
• Over 400 public art installations in Utrecht, including Lumen, light art only seen at night

Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
# of students: 10-12
Full Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 4 students that will receive full funding from GSO to participate in this field school.  Fully funded students will identify as low-income and/or be registered with the Meighen Centre.  Fully-funded students may be required to pay for meals in-country.  
Partial Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 6-8 students that will receive partial funding from GSO to participate in this field school to cover the cost of tuition for the course and may include the cost of accommodation for the duration of the field school.  Partially funded students will be required to pay a program fee to Mount Allison that will cover the cost of the flight, insurance and in-country travel costs and expenses.   Partially funded students will be required to pay for their own meals in-country.  
Language requirement: none
Pre-requisite: Second-year standing; PSYC 1001; PSYC 1011; or permission of the Department
Academic credit: PSYC 2991

This two-week course on Japanese religions will take place in Kyoto, Japan. Famous for its temples and shrines, gardens, and palaces (including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Kyoto (population 1,463,723) served as Japan’s capital from the time of its 8th century founding to the mid-19th century. Learning from experts at the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of vermillion torii gates. From the thousands of vermillion torii arches at the Fushiminari shrine to the whisks and tea caddy used in the tea ceremony, Kyoto is the ideal place to pursue our course question: what roles does material culture in religious practice and belief?

The group will live in shared furnished apartments for the duration of the Field School in central Kyoto. Apartments will be fully equipped with two beds, a small kitchen and bathroom. Apartments are close to shops, supermarkets, restaurants and public transportation.

In addition to our learning in Kyoto, we will also journey to Nara and Osaka and nearby communities by train.  

Highlights

• Explore the cities and regions around Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka 
• Learn about the art of Japanese gardens, which has shaped landscape gardening globally.
• Hike among Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine’s thousands of vermillion torii gates
• Wander the Philosopher’s Path and bike along the Kamo riverbank
• Eat Shojin Ryori Temple Cuisine
• Experience Osaka, a 25 min. train ride away
• Engage in social activities with Japanese students from Kwansei Gakuin University (day trip to Kwansei Gakuin University in Nishinomiya) 

Location: Kyoto, Japan
# of students: 10-12 students
Full Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 8-10 students that will receive full funding from GSO to participate in this field school.  Fully funded students will identify as low-income and/or be registered with the Meighen Centre.  
Partial Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 1-3 students that will receive partial funding from GSO to participate in this field school to cover the cost of tuition for the duration of the field school.  Partially funded students will be required to pay a program fee to Mount Allison that will cover the cost of the flight, accommodation, insurance and in-country travel costs and expenses.   Partially funded students will be required to pay for their own meals in-country.  
Language requirement: none
Pre-requisite: 3 credits from RELG; 3 credits from RELG at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department (total 6 credits in RELG) 
Academic credit: RELG 3311

This course is designed for Mount Allison students to study collaboratively with students from Universidad de San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) to learn about the conservation of animals in each individual country. Students will learn about the climate/environmental challenges in both Canada and Ecuador, and work to understand animal physiology and use this knowledge to determine if/how animals will respond to climate change, and how we can use that information to help with conservation management.

This conservation physiology course will have two components:

1. A Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) opportunity where our students will meet online (synchronously and asynchronously) with local Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) students and professors several times during the winter term
2. A two-week collaborative field course in the Galápagos Islands

While in the Galápagos Islands, students will visit several field sites to collect environmental data and determine animal assemblages and use that data in conjunction with local predictions of climate change impacts to understand what animals might have the capacity to adapt, and how the ecosystem might change in the future. These field trips will involve snorkelling, boat surveys, coastal treks, etc. at a variety of locations around the islands. We will also hear from local speakers discussing their conservation projects on a variety of animals throughout the islands.

Highlights

• Arrive in Quito and receive a day-long orientation at partner university, USFQ
• Explore Quito
• Explore the Galápagos Islands
• See the locations where Charles Darwin studied the evolution of animals
• See local flora and fauna endemic to the Galápagos Islands
• Visit the Galápagos Science Center and hear about the work taking place
• Interact and learn with local Ecuadorian students
• Experience the Galápagos culture and island life
• Snorkel/dive/swim with sharks, sea lions, tropical fish, sea turtles in pristine coral reefs

Location: San Cristobal Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
# of students: 12-15
Full Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 8-10 students that will receive full funding from GSO to participate in this field school.  Fully funded students will identify as low-income and/or be registered with the Meighen Centre.  
Partial Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 1-3 students that will receive partial funding from GSO to participate in this field school to cover the cost of tuition for the course.  Partially funded students will be required to pay a program fee to Mount Allison that will cover the cost of the flight, accommodation, insurance and in-country travel costs and expenses.   Partially funded students will be required to pay for their own meals, in-country.  
Language requirement: none (but some knowledge of Spanish will be an asset)
Pre-requisite: Third or fourth-year standing; BIOL 2401, BIOL 2101 (3201 and/or 3811 an asset)
Academic credit: BIOL 3991