Summer Field Schools

Every year, the Department of Global Humanities runs two field schools in Europe—one in the Czechia (Prague) and one in Greece (Athens, Lesvos, and Thessaloniki).

The Prague program is back for the Summer of 2024! Application close February 5, 2024.

See more on SFU Field Schools

Prague Summer Field School

7 weeks, 11 credits, a life-changing experience

The Field School provides a seven-week, in-depth study of European history and culture seen through the window of Czechia. The program includes three core courses with modules in language, literature, film, architecture, history, and contemporary politics, as well as weekly field trips intended to enrich the in-class study.

Prague summer field school runs from May 5, 2024 to June 23, 2024 at Charles University in Prague. 

Learn more

* Prague_FieldSchool_Summer24.pdf
The Prague Field School Information Slides

FASS Study Travel Aid: $5,000 Allocation for Prague Summer School Participants

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) is providing a total of $5,000 to be distributed among students registered for the Prague Summer School. 
Apply now and take advantage of this opportunity to make your Prague Summer School experience even more accessible!

Program Overview

"Prague stands at the crossroads of the most important historical, cultural, artistic, religious, and political developments in all of Europe."

Important notes

Undergraduate Eligibility

  • 19 years of age or older prior to departure
  • Completed a minimum of 45 units
  • Have a minimum 2.5 CGPA
  • Be in Good Academic Standing at the time of application
  • Recommended: taken one writing-intensive course

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated interest in European society and culture, and independence and maturity
  • Consent of the Field School Director

The Field School Selection Committee will be conducting intake interviews in addition to reviewing the completed application as part of the application process. The Field School Selection Committee for each Field School program will select qualified participants. Decisions are expected 2–4 weeks after the application deadline.

See Application Instructions

Study in and Experience the Heart of Europe

Students from departments outside of Global Humanities are encouraged to apply. Please contact the Field School Director if you have questions about course content or academic requirements.

Greece Summer Field School

Program Overview

"Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization, being the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, political science, theatre, and the Olympic Games."

In partnership with Douglas College

Students will spend three weeks at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies at Simon Fraser University, in lectures and orientations getting to know the faculty and each other as they prepare for their intellectual adventure in the Greek capital of Athens, the Aegean island of Lesvos, and Greece's northern capital, Thessaloniki.

All in all students will have the opportunity to live and learn in a space filled with history and beauty. Students will interact with its landscapes, people, and monuments and enrich their understanding of our world at the edge of Europe, where East and West merge to create the heady mix of Greek culture.

Learn more

Important notes

  • Field School Director: TBD for Summer 2025
  • Application Deadline: TBD for Summer 2025
  • An academic reference is required for this program 
  • Visiting students from institutions other than SFU are welcome

Program Eligibility

  • 19 years of age or older prior to departure
  • Completed a minimum of 30 units
  • Have a minimum 2.5 CGPA
  • 1 academic reference who has taught you in the past, such as a professor/instructor or graduate-level TA, SFU lab instructor, or professor from another university or college (for transfer students only)

Recommendation

  • Completed at least one course that meets the "W" requirement and one FASS course
  • 1 personal reference, such as an employer, mentor, coach etc (no family members permitted)

Selection Criteria

The Field School Selection Committee reserves the right to conduct intake interviews in addition to reviewing the completed application as part of the application process. The Field School Selection Committee for each Field School program will select qualified participants. Decisions are expected 2–4 weeks after the application deadline. All programs require a minimum number of students and are subject to cancellation if minimums are not met.

See Application Instructions

How to apply as a non-SFU student 

Qualified students from institutions other than SFU are eligible to apply. Visiting students must arrange for transfer credit with their home institution, as well as a transcript after completion. You can access a Visiting Student Application when you begin your Field School Application. Both applications must be complete and submitted by the application deadline for your Field School.

Apply as a Visiting field school student

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available funding opportunities

Full-time students participating in SFU field schools are eligible to apply for student loans. Full-time, degree-seeking SFU students may also apply for bursaries, scholarships, awards, and International Exchange/Field School Bursaries.

Note: full-time undergraduate students are those taking 9 or more SFU units per term. Students on SFU undergraduate scholarships must be enrolled in 12 units per term.

Suite of Study Abroad Awards ($1,000–$2,000)

In the Study Abroad (Formal Exchange or Field School) program application, degree seeking SFU students applying for a full-time study abroad program may apply to the Suite of Study Abroad Awards. Students will submit one application in order to be considered for the full suite of awards, but only a maximum of one International Mobility Award (IMA) will be awarded per student. IMA applications will first be considered for the highest value IMA eligible. Each award has its own eligibility and selection criteria, which are detailed on the application.

Note: visiting students accepted to SFU for the purposes of participating in a field school are not eligible for these awards.  

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Institute for the Humanities Travel-Study Award ($1,500)

The Institute for the Humanities Travel-Study Award is valued at $1500, and is meant to cover the costs associated with attending a travel-study/field school program offered by SFU. The award is given annually in the spring or summer term. Preference will be given to a third or fourth-year student(s) who has completed two Global Humanities courses. Consideration will be given to the applicants' GPA, the importance of the field school to the student's program of study, and the letters of reference.

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Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies Grant ($250)

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies is providing $250 grants to undergraduate SFU and Douglas College students who participate in the Hellenic Studies: Greece Field School (students from any other universities may be considered for the grant on a case-by-case basis). Students are considered automatically as part of the application process to the field school.

 

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Travel Award ($1,000)

At least one award, valued at a minimum of $1,000, will be granted annually in any term to an undergraduate student who is enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences in the term of eligibility, in good academic standing, and undertaking a practicum, exchange, research, or field school for the purposes of research related to their studies at SFU. The award is not available for conference attendance.

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The Global Learning Award (GLA)

This award is for students looking to further their understanding and education of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) abroad; and to learn about the global issues and challenges we face today to innovate and create solutions for tomorrow. If applicable, you are encouraged to share how your study/work abroad may help to further your own learning, commitments and actions to advance reconciliation.  Apply for this award prior to your international program placement. This applies for terms up to Fall 2024. 

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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion International Mobility Award (EDI IMA) 

The EDI IMA has been created to increase the participation of underrepresented Canadian students (including permanent residents and students with refugee status) in international learning opportunities such as SFU Study AbroadInternational Co-op Education, and other SFU academic credit-bearing study abroad programs. A key feature of this award is that students can apply before or after being approved for one of the eligible international programs. The award allows students to apply for funding from 1 month to 16 months prior to their proposed study/work term. Awards will be given to multiple undergraduate students.

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