荔枝视频

The Group Study Program recently published its 2026 Call for Proposals with the Global Learning team excited to invite faculty members to consider leading a program. This is a unique opportunity to engage in real-world, hands-on teaching that significantly enhances student learning and experience, aligning with U荔枝视频鈥檚 Experiential Learning and Global Engagement Plans.

Group Study Programs (also known as international field schools) allow instructors to take teaching into the field, actively incorporating their program locations into their courses. Each year, the 荔枝视频 offers between 10 and 20 programs which range in length from 10 days to six weeks, primarily in the spring and summer semesters. Some programs offer a combination of on-campus and travel-based components, while others take place entirely abroad. Virtual programs are also an option.

鈥淕roup Study Programs offer an unparalleled opportunity for faculty to innovate in their teaching and provide students with impactful learning experiences,鈥� says Director of Global Learning. "These programs offer students innumerable academic, personal and professional benefits and are often a highlight of their university experience. For instructors, leading a study abroad program allows you to engage your students in ways that are not possible in a traditional on-campus setting and may end up being one of the most rewarding experiences of your teaching career.鈥�

Why Lead a Group Study Program?

Leading a Group Study Program offers numerous benefits:

• Impactful Teaching: Engage students in real-world learning experiences that are both impactful and transformative.
• Global Engagement: Support your faculty鈥檚 global engagement goals and potentially deepen relationships with existing international collaborators.
• Comprehensive Support Whether you鈥檙e new to this kind of programming or a seasoned veteran, we have a team of experts who are here to support both you and your students every step of the way.

Dr. PhD, Professor and Associate Dean (Research), is running his first program, Unscrupulous Anatomy and Modern Medicine, this spring. 鈥淚 started thinking about creating a Group Study Program over 10 years ago, as I could always imagine that going to Italy to study the beginnings of human anatomy discovery would be an amazing hands-on experience for the students. Now that we鈥檙e less than two months away from our first trip, the excitement from the students is really outstanding. We鈥檝e created a group chat on WhatsApp and they鈥檙e already getting together to plan things out.鈥�

Dr. , PhD, Professor (Teaching) and Undergraduate Program Director, , has led over 50 programs. 

鈥淚 find it rewarding to instruct students in the field, helping them witness and understand cultures, places, and environments, as well as complex regional and global issues. They provide many of our students their first international academic experience, something that can be highly valued within their degree program both personally and for prospective employment following graduation. For academics, field study programs are the medium to which we can apply theories and subject matter of our courses and our disciplines out in the world, but they are also an opportunity to share our own research and expertise in an applied field learning experience. I have also found over the years that collaboration with colleagues through field study has been extremely rewarding, developing collegial research and teaching relationships with university colleagues at the 荔枝视频, and abroad.鈥�

Upcoming information sessions 

Any faculty members interested in learning more are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session, taking place virtually on March 19 and April 7. Attending these sessions will provide valuable insights into the process of developing and leading a Group Study Program. Don鈥檛 miss this chance to make a significant impact on student learning and contribute to our institution's global engagement goals.

View our instructor guide or more information, or contact our Global Learning team at group.study@ucalgary.ca