Field Schools

Why a field school, and what is it?

• Are you a first-time traveller who wants to see the world but can't take the solo leap just yet?
• Do you work full-time or have family commitments that can't take you away for an extended period of time?
• Have you missed your chance for a full term abroad and want to graduate with the opportunity to internationalize your degree?

If you've answered yes to any of these questions, then a field school might be right for you! A field school is an immersive 10-day to five-week global adventure with a group of fellow students led by CapU instructors.

You get to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world challenges while earning up to 6.0 CapU credits (two courses) toward your diploma or degree.

Who can participate?

Field schools are open to CapU students across all programs, as well as CapU staff, faculty, and alumni. You will meet the minimum eligibility criteria if you:

• Have completed a minimum of 30 credits before departure;
• Are enrolled as a full-time diploma or degree student (9 credits) at CapU;
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.67;
• Plan to return to CapU for at least one major semester as a full-time student and
• Have a passport valid for international travel for six months upon your return.

Where can you go?

Destinations vary from year to year. CapU has offered field schools in countries such as the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and Hungary. Field schools for an upcoming academic year are usually announced six months to a year before they take place.

Join one of our weekly information sessions to learn more about the itinerary, academic courses, learning outcomes, and fees and to meet field school instructors.

Vietnam Field School 2024 (applications closed)

Upcoming field schools: to be announced soon

The Vietnam Field School 2024 is a uniquely designed experience that will take students behind the scenes of Vietnam's tourism industry across its dynamic urban centres and hill-tribe villages.

This two-week journey will immerse students in five destinations in Northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Ninh Binh, and Sapa. Each step of the way, students will hear from key stakeholders representing the private and public sectors, tourism social enterprises, education, and Indigenous communities. Activities such as a community dialogue session with an Indigenous floating/fishing community in Ha Long Bay, a cross-cultural learning exchange with students from Hanoi Open University, and a village-to-village trek in Sapa led by local Hmong guides will aim to engage students in a diverse itinerary that challenges their positions as tourists and global citizens.

This field school will aim to foster transformative learning for all field school participants through activities such as field research, community-based micro-projects, and personal reflection.

Dates and locations

• August 16-31, 2024 – on the road across several locations, including Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Pù Luông Nature Reserve, Ninh Binh and Sapa (subject to slight date change, with notice).
• June to August 2024 – six to eight on-campus classes taught by your field school instructors before you depart.
• July to August 2024 – three mandatory pre-departure sessions facilitated by CapU’s Study Abroad Team, covering topics such as Vietnamese culture and customs, travel and packing, budgeting and money matters, health and well-being, and risk management.
• September 2024 – one mandatory re-entry session facilitated by CapU’s Study Abroad Team, covering topics such as reverse culture shock and post-trip reflections.
• September to October 2024 – one mandatory meeting where you will present your main field school course project.

Field school leaders and courses

• Chris Carnovale, CapU Instructor, School of Tourism, Faculty of Global and Community Studies
• Debra Rurak, CapU Instructor, School of Motion Picture Arts 

You will earn the following 6.0 CapU credits with this field school that will count as your electives:

• TOUR 331 - Regional Topics in Tourism (3.0 credits)
• FILM 308 - Documentary Cinema Arts (3.0 credits)

These will be cross-term courses that span both summer and fall terms. You should expect to submit your final projects shortly after your return (specific dates will be provided).

Cost

The Vietnam Field School 2024 is priced at around $6000, taking into account the increase in airfares. The cost covers return international airfare, double occupancy accommodations, airport transfer at the destination, in-country transportation, industry and cultural visits, program field trips and excursions and most meals.

The program fee does not include tuition fees, upper-level surcharge for tuition, passport fees, entry visas, meals other than those specified in the itinerary, travel to and from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), transportation expenses other than those indicated on the itinerary or other personal expenses.

Scholarships are available!

Some excellent scholarships and awards are available, including the One World Scholarship, which weighs primarily on your past community and volunteer experience, and the new Global Skills Opportunity scholarship, aimed to support Indigenous students, students with disability and low-income students as well as other students participating in Vietnam Field School 2024.

Ask about this and other scholarships by contacting studyabroad@capilanou.ca.

How to apply

1. Apply online
   Complete the Field School Application Form. There is no application fee. We require a minimum number of applications to proceed with the field school. Accepting applications until February 12, 2024.
2. Complete an interview
   Following your online application, you will be invited to an interview. The interview will be conducted by the field school leaders.
3. Receive a letter of acceptance
   If you are a successful candidate, we will email you a letter of acceptance outlining the next steps.
4. Register for field school courses
   You will be required to register for your field school courses during the standard online course registration period.
5. Pay a non-refundable deposit
   Once you have registered for your field school courses, you will be required to confirm your commitment to the field school program by paying a non-refundable deposit, which is applied towards your total field school cost.

   You can make this deposit payment directly to CapU's Student Financial Accounts or through your myCapU account.