Forests and Livelihoods International - European Field School

In Germany, we will visit the famous Black Forest and discuss its management and conservation. In Rhine Valley we will learn about management of valuable broadleaves in forests as well as in agroforestry systems. During our trip to southern edge of Black Forest, we learn about nature conservation, landscape development and forest reserves. On one of the days we will also meet with small scale forest owners to learn about conversion of even‐aged forests into selection forests. In Switzerland, we visit various locations learning about forestry, forest research, alpine forest management and mountain forestry under changing climate conditions. In Italy, we will learn about the management of a peri‐urban high value conservation area, silviculture/forest management of temperate even‐aged beech forests (even‐aged continuous cover forestry forest and cultural ecosystem services interplay, management of post‐ storm forest disturbances and role of local communal institutions in managing their natural resources for livelihood of local communities. 

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!

GSO Funding Eligibility*

• Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for GSO funding
• Undergraduate students
• 18+ Years of age
• Eligible students who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit, or are low-income, or have a disability (see definitions below) will receive funding to cover the full costs of participating in the program (6 spots)
• Other eligible students will receive partial funding (9 spots)
• International students and graduate students are not eligible for the GSO funding.

Definitions:

• Low-income students: students who report to be in receipt of Canada Student Grants, or similar non-repayable student financial assistance offered by provinces and territories, or, in the absence of receiving non-repayable student financial assistance, can provide information to demonstrate that they require financial support to study or work abroad.
• Indigenous students: students who report being an Indigenous person, that is, First Nations, Metis or Inuk (Inuit).
• Students with disabilities: students who report having a long-term disability or health condition and experience a limitation in their daily activities.  Learn more about UBC’s Disability Policy here. https://universitycounsel.ubc.ca/policies/disability-accommodation-policy/.

Please note that the GSO funding criteria is established by the Canadian Government who provides the funding, and not UBC.

Approximate program fees: $4750.00 - $5250.00*

*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.  

During the program we will be staying in small hotels and guest houses. In Germany, we will stay the whole time in two small guesthouses in Freiburg. In Switzerland, 3 nights in the hotel in Zurich and the rest of the time in various locations on our way to Locarno. In Italy, most of the nights we will stay in a small hotel in Padova (one night at the Asiago Plateau). The accommodation is in mostly in double occupancy rooms (2 students per room), sometimes single rooms.

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

Students apply through the Go Global Gateway. Applications will open in early October. 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.

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.