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Field Schools
Information
At field schools, in-class time will typically be comprised of three3 academic courses worth three to four credits each, which will take half a semester to complete. Your courses will be taught by Douglas College instructors, and depending on which program you currently are attending, possibly an instructor from one of our partner institutions.
Class sizes are usually between 15-25 students, and you will spend the first two to three weeks of the half semester studying at Douglas College, followed by going overseas for the remaining four to five weeks at one of our partner institutions to complete the classes.
The program fee normally includes the student visa application (if necessary), airport transfers overseas, use of the facilities at the partner institution, program field trips, shared accommodations, most meals, as well as travel medical insurance. Airport transfers here, airfare, Douglas College tuition, your medicines/vaccinations, as well as personal expenses are extra.
Studying at field schools is typically scheduled to take place between April and July each year. Students who have been accepted to study abroad must register for the specifically-designated courses for Summer Semester.
Field schools for 2012 and 2013 have yet to be revealed; contact Douglas College International or keep checking Student Planet for up-to-date information.
Eligibility
You must be 19 years of age or older prior to departure, be admitted to Douglas College, and must register for the specially designed field school courses for the Summer semester.
You must be in good academic standing, having a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher by application deadline. Students not meeting this requirement can only attend a field school with the approval of the lead faculty member for that field school.
Qualified students from other institutions are welcome to apply but must first gain admission into Douglas College. An official transcript from your current institution is also required as part of your application for admission.
Once you have been admitted to Douglas College, you can register for the designated field school courses. For information on the transferability of our field schools, visit the BC Transfer Guide.
Costs
Participating students are charged a program fee which normally includes your student visa application, airport transfers overseas, use of facilities at partner institution, program field trips, shared accommodations, most meals and travel medical insurance. Airport transfers here, airfare, Douglas College tuition, medicines/vaccinations (if necessary) and personal expenses are extra.
Program fees are normally between $2,000 and $3,200 depending on the location, length of the field school, and the types of activities included. Students will also be required to pay their tuition for three courses, airfare, and personal expenses.
Before You Apply
Information on field schools is posted and updated regularly on the Student Planet website. Check the site frequently for the latest information on your selected field school. Field School information sessions are also offered during the Fall and Winter semesters, during Student Orientation and International Day. You can also contact Douglas College directly on Facebook and Twitter for more information about field schools.
Check if you have or can meet the prerequisite requirements of the courses included in the field school. If you do not meet course prerequisites, talk to the faculty member offering that course in the field school to determine if you are eligible for a prerequisite waiver.
If you are interested in attending a field school that includes a course you have already taken, talk to the faculty lead of that field school about substituting a directed studies course so you can obtain full field school credits.
Field school students are eligible for student loans. Talk to the Financial Aid Office at Douglas College about the process and timelines for applying for a loan.
Application Process and Forms
Applications for field schools usually open at the beginning of January. If you apply by the end of January, you will receive an early bird discount of $100 off the program fee. All applications must be in by the end of February.
Applications must include a $500 deposit which is non-refundable after the close of applications on February 28 (if February 28 falls on a weekend, the following Monday is the cut-off date). You are required to submit the following documents:
- completed Application Form
- Personal Statement indicating their interest and suitability for the field school program
- copy of their unofficial transcript(s)
- completed Emergency Contact Form
- completed Release of Liability Form
- 2 clear photocopies of their passport (photo and signature page)
- deposit of $500 (cash, cheque, VISA or MasterCard accepted)
A $500 deposit is due when you submit your application (cash, cheque, VISA, and MasterCard are accepted). Domestic students submitting their field school applications may also be eligible to apply for a $500 International Student Award.
After You Are Accepted
The final field school fee payment is usually due in mid-March. As a field school participant, you will be asked to attend information and pre-departure sessions.
The field school information session will help to prepare you for classes, activities, and arrangements relating to your field school, and the pre-departure session will help you cope with travel, health and safety, culture shock, conduct, and emergency procedures. Both sessions are mandatory.
Make sure you have a valid passport. Your passport should not expire within six months of your intended return to Canada. This is especially important if you need a visa to enter the country you will be visiting. Your field school information session will cover information on visas; however, check in advance if a visa is required and, if so, begin assembling the necessary documents and photos.
Students will travel to their field school as a group on the same flight because local airport pick-up and travel arrangements must be made to take students to their final destination.
Also, the end of classes on campus and start of field school classes at the international site are timed to accommodate the selected flight.
The Douglas College International office will make arrangements with the most cost-effective air carrier and will notify students of their flight arrangements. Once you receive this information It is your responsibility to book your flight through the Douglas College designated travel agent or an alternative.
Students are not required to leave the field school as a group and you can make your own decision about booking your flight back to Canada. Many students attending field schools choose to stay longer in the country or region to travel and sightsee further.
To help prepare for your trip, you should review the section on Preparation which will provide tips on travel documents, transportation and accommodations, money, health and safety, communications and packing.
Also review the Problems and Emergencies section, so you are ready for any situation while you are abroad.
For information on policies related to withdrawing from a field school, contact Douglas College International.
