Your Classroom, Abroad!
Field schools provide VIU students with opportunities to explore their subject areas through a new lens. Expect to gain valuable intercultural learning while taking part in a group adventure that is sure to be an interesting addition to your portfolio and academic experience.
Each program is uniquely designed by VIU faculty, in collaboration with VIU International Mobility, and are often delivered in Intersession (between April - August). The length of programs vary from 8 days to 6 weeks. Most offerings recruit students in the Fall semester and may include advance course and pre-departure work in the Spring semester.
Participants generally pay a program fee which covers much of the in-country costs of the program, as outlined in the program description online. The majority of programs are for-credit and the applicable tuition and student fees apply.
The list below will change throughout the year, as field school programs are developed and promoted.
| Program | Overview | Status |
|---|---|---|
VIU Faculty of Management Field School to Japan 2024 Dates: May 6 - 27, 2024 Destination: Japan | Explore Tokyo, Kobe, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Kitakyushu while learning about Japanese culture, meeting entrepreneurs in Japanese business and sharing learning with Kansai University students. 9 upper-level credits include understanding business in Japan from a perspective of market entry, creating a strategic and financial business plan and understanding the perspective of sustainability through the UN Sustainability Development Goals.
Find out more information in the 2024 Japan Field School Flyer. | Closed to Applications |
VIU Liberal Studies Field School to Italy 2024 Dates: May 15 - June 15, 2024 Destination: Italy | The Italy Program provides a stimulating interdisciplinary exploration of one of the most dynamic and significant periods in the history of European culture. The setting - the city of Florence - is perfect because of its immense contribution to the Renaissance, the 14th-16th century reawakening of humanistic learning and artistic endeavour. Find out more information from the Liberal Studies department. | Closed to Applications |
VIU Healing Through Adventure: Exploring Adventure Therapy In Latvia 2024 Dates: June 12 - 24, 2024 Destination: Latvia
| This field school experience will take participants to various remote locations around Latvia, where we will learn how a variety of Latvian human services professional use nature and adventure-based activities to support health and well being in a variety of sectors. We will be actively participating in a variety of wilderness-based activities and camping in remote regions for the first six days the field school. Next, we’ll be attending the Gathering for Adventure Therapy Europe, a 4-day conference that brings together hundreds of human services professionals from across Europe to share best practices and research about the application of nature and adventure-based activities in support of mental health and well being. Finally, we’ll experience a traditional Latvian Sauna Ritual to close the experience before heading home. | Closed to Applications |
VIU Arts & Culture Field School to Greece 2024 Dates: May 13 - 30, 2024 Destination: Greece
| VIU's Greece: Arts and Culture Field School welcomes students to an international experience that educates on the unique performing and visual arts history of the region. We'll interweave course curricula and intertwine assignments in this new study abroad focused on arts traditions that still resonate with designers and creatives today. Learn more about the VIU Arts & Culture Field School to Greece | Closed to Applications |
1. Explore Your Options
Find out what is happening in your Faculty or Program area! Many programs start to promote their upcoming field schools a semester or more in advance, through posters, presentations and through the Education Abroad website. If you're unsure, ask us or connect with your Program Chair.
2. Express Your Interest
For most field schools, the field school leaders will gather Expression of Interest Forms from interested participants. These forms can be found in the individual field school websites or can be obtained from the field school leaders directly. An interview may follow, and references may be required. If you are accepted, the Education Abroad office will be in touch about the timing of the next steps.
3. Secure Your Seat with a Deposit
Once accepted, students will receive a welcome message from VIU Education Abroad with instructions to pay the deposit and complete the waiver form. All field school deposits & subsequent payments are made through the VIU Student Record System. Charges will appear under "My Fees - Field School Fees." Students can make their payments through their record, using online or telephone banking. Note: VIU does not accept credit cards for field school payments.
An initial non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure a seat in most programs. Please review the Cancellation and Refund Procedures.
International Mobility Office
VIU International
Building 255
Email: InternationalMobility@viu.ca
WLCE@VIU Field School to New Zealand 2023
Dates: November 27 - December 16, 2023
Destination: New Zealand
Contact: Aggie Weighill at Aggie.Weighill@viu.ca or Jenn Houtby at Jenn.Houtby-Ferguson@viu.ca
VIU students in good standing are invited to apply to the 2023 WLCE@viu field school to New Zealand's South Island. This six-credit field school using place-based learning to explore local and indigenous perspectives on emergency and risk management in one of the top adventure tourism destinations that happens to be an incredibly active seismic zone!
Find out more information in the 2023 New Zealand Field School Flyer, at WLCE@VIU Field School to New Zealand 2023.
VIU Baking and Culinary Field School to Belgium and France 2024
Dates: January 13 - 28, 2024
Destination: Belgium & France
Contact: Ken Harper at ken.harper@viu.ca
Join us as we set out on our sixth field school to explore the world of chocolate, pastry, and bread in Belgium and France. Both culinary and baking afficionados will enjoy the dizzying array of hands-on workshops, tours of chocolate and baking factories, Belgian chocolate shops, and the very best of Parisian pastry, bread, and chocolate. Cheer on Canada at the Baking Coupe du Monde (World Cup) Competition at Europain in Paris. This is one of the world's largest baking related trade shows and it is jam-packed with vendors selling everything from gigantic revolving ovens to the very latest pastry gadgets. You will also have two free days in Paris to explore the city or take a day trip to nearby historical sites such as Versailles, Fontainebleu, Chantilly and many more.
Find out more information in the 2023 Baking and Culinary Field School Brochure and VIU Baking and Culinary Field School to Belgium and France 2024.
Business Field School to Taiwan, 2023
Dates: April 27 - May 14, 2023
Destination: Taiwan
Contacts: Darren.Paproski@viu.ca, Jennifer.Ford@viu.ca
Learn how to do business in Greater China. You will meet senior business executives and academics with the aim of learning how to develop the Taiwan and Mainland China markets for Canadian business. You will also enjoy cultural excursion, good food, night markets, KTVs, and Taipei nightlife.
Liberal Studies Abroad to Italy, 2023
Dates: May 16 - June 14, 2023
Destination: Italy
Contacts: David Livingstone, David.Livingstone@viu.ca
What is Liberal Studies Abroad? It's a one-month, intensive introduction to the marvels of the Italian Renaissance: the art of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Donatello; the architectural splendors of Brunelleschi and Alberti; the poetry of Dante; the political philosophy of Machiavelli, and much, much more.
Arts and Culture Field School to Greece, 2023
Dates: May 19 - June 7, 2023
Destination: Greece
Contacts: Eliza Gardiner, Eliza.Gardiner@viu.ca or Cimarron Knight, Cimarron.Knight@viu.ca
VIU's Greece: Arts and Culture Field School welcomes students to an international experience that educates on the unique performing and visual arts history of the region.
We'll interweave course curricula and intertwine assignments in this new study abroad focused on arts traditions that still resonate with designers and creatives today.