Iceland - Field Course: Systems Approaches to Regional Sustainability

Activities will include a wide variety of guided hikes, presentations and visits to relevant geological and ecological sites, as well as locations that are key to current sustainability debates in Iceland (geothermal power plants, protected natural areas). In addition, we will have time to gain a broader sense of the contemporary country of Iceland via a range of social and cultural activities: visits to museums and other cultural sites in Reykjavik, Akureyri, Höfn, and Húsavík and visits to the famous Blue Lagoon and other hot springs! 

General Global Seminar requirements

To participate in a Global Seminar, students must: 

• Be in good-standing in their faculty (I.e. not be under academic or non-academic discipline) 
• Have full-time status in the year leading up to the Global Seminar 
• Have completed 2nd year requirements before the start of the program (i.e. 3rd or 4th year standing) 
• Have at least a 70% academic average in your last full-time academic session before applying 
• Maintain a 70% academic average leading up to the program 
• Meet any program specific requirements listed below including pre-requisites before participating 

Final selection will be done by the lead faculty program directors. Spots in the program may be limited. 

Students who wish to participate in the summer after graduating may be eligible on a case-by-case basis.

Program-specific requirements

• This is an interdisciplinary program: All are welcome! 

Approximate program fees: $4500.00 - $5000.00*

*The final fee depends on the number of students in the program. Students do not pay the Go Global fee when applying to a Global Seminar. The Go Global fee is built into the Program Fee and is payable upon acceptance to the program.  

We encourage students with financial need or other barriers to going abroad to apply for the Global Pathfinder Award by November 4. Successful candidates will receive a $2000 award towards a Global Seminar program, and will be notified before the program application is due on December 13. See the Go Global Awards page for more information on the application process.

Accommodation will be dormitory style in a range of modern hostels; students will be responsible for many of their own meals. Some group meals will be arranged by the program directors.

Students apply through the Go Global Gateway. Go to “search experiences” from the top menu, search “GSP,” then press “apply search.” Scroll down to the program you wish to apply to and select Apply for “Summer” to initiate an application.

After the deadline, students’ applications will be reviewed by Go Global and the faculty program directors. You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the selection process.  

Tuesday December 13, 2022 (11:59pm PST)

Thanks to generous funding from Universities Canada Global Skills Opportunity program, Indigenous students have the opportunity to participate in any Global Seminar Program (outside of the US, France and Australia) and Go Global’s Indigenous Global Connections cohort program with full program funding up to $10,000 to cover program fees, flights and tuition.

As part of the 2023 Indigenous Global Connections program, you will be part of dialogues, discussions and presentations with other Indigenous students before and after your Global Seminar program. You will reflect on your experience to make connections on themes of indigeneity, colonialism, international solidarity, and global citizenship.

Funding: Full program funding up to $10,000 to cover full program fees, flights and tuition costs. There will be 8 - 12 funded spots available. IGC funding will top-up any other funding received (ARA, Pathfinder, GSO, etc.)

Eligibility:

• Apply and be accepted into a Summer 2023 Global Seminar program (outside of Canada, USA, France or Australia.)
• Students who self-identify as being First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)
• Students must hold Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency
• Undergraduate students currently in 2nd year or above
• Students on both campuses are eligible

Application process:

• Apply for a Global Seminar by December 13 following the instructions on the program page. In the application, identify yourself as being interested in the Indigenous Global Connections program.
• We will contact interested students directly with next steps.

Contact us: Please use Go Global's Ask Us Webform and we will respond to your inquiry.

Information Session: Tuesday November 29 at 11:30am over Zoom. Please register at https://ubc.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Ivc-msqz0tE9atmK-gnQrcfbsesWWfd9MC.

To withdraw from your program, you must contact Go Global by email to request a withdrawal.  You will not be charged until you officially accept your spot in the program.  Refunds cannot be issued after the program fee is charged to your SSC account. 

In the case of withdrawal, Go Global Award funding must be returned in full.

If you have questions, please connect with your Go Global advisor or email Go Global at go.global@ubc.ca.

UBC is committed to preparing students for safe and successful international experiences. In order to achieve this, any student participating in a Go Global Program must complete the following:

• All UBC Student Safety Abroad requirements
• Go Global Program-specific pre-departure requirements 

Failure to successfully complete these and any other requirements may result in withdrawal from the Go Global Program.

We encourage you to read the Global Affairs Canada travel report for your destination country before applying: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.

Global Seminars and COVID-19

Students and faculty are required to comply with the entry requirements of the host country, regulations of transportation carriers, and any local public health orders in the destination. These rules may require COVID-19 vaccination for entry or to participate in certain program activities, testing requirements, masking requirements, and/or isolation in case of infection. Alternatively, where isolation due to infection is not required by local health authorities and students are sharing accommodations isolation may be a challenge. We encourage you to review local requirements before applying and before departure. Check out the Global Affairs Canada Advisory (https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories) under Entry Requirements for your Global Seminar destination to learn more.  Keep in mind that program conditions can vary and these rules can change before or during your trip.

Once it becomes closer to the departure date, the group will be informed of all updated local requirements and COVID-19 safety plans for the Global Seminar.

If you are considering applying for a Go Global program and identify with having a disability or pre-existing health condition (mental or physical) which could impact your participation, or if you require academic accommodations, you can contact the following offices and meet with an Accessibility Advisor before the start of the program:

• The Centre for Accessibility (Vancouver) 604 822-5844
• Disability Resource Centre (Okanagan) 250 807-8053

In-person and Virtual Drop-in advising hours

• Tuesday: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
• Wednesday: 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Go Global offers both in-person and virtual drop-in advising through Zoom during the times listed above.

Please use Go Global's new Ask Us Webform and we will respond to your inquiry.