Anthropology and Geography Field School to China 2019

Program Overview

Field School Dates: May 7 - 24, 2019 (Tentative)

Living on Vancouver Island, many are not so aware of the impact of Asia (the East) upon North America (the West), except perhaps in the context of the large international student contingent from East Asia. There has been contact between the continents over centuries through people, trade, and ideas. By visiting locales closer to home (Vancouver, Richmond), students will be introduced to some of these connections evident in the landscape, the people, and food culture. When in China, whether China proper or its special administrative regions (SAR), i.e., Macau and Hong Kong, those associations found in Canada will become even more apparent and vice versa. If not for the East, where would our tea drinking habit be or even the colonisation of North America by ‘explorers’ seeking a trade route to Asia?  Through travel, students have a unique opportunity to study by direct experience; in addition to learning through the usual complementary written resources.

Students are expected to actively participate in all scheduled activities and engage in discussions directed by their instructor(s) and/or with local guides.

Eligibility and How to Apply

Application Procedure

Deadline to Apply: Thursday, November 22, 2018

Eligibility:

• Students must have minimum third-year standing and permission of the instructors
• Preference is given to those with the following course prerequisites (according to whether applying as an ANTH or GEOG student): ANTH 112, ANTH 211; or GEOG 100, GEOG 230 or 240; those with some of the prerequisites are still invited to apply
• Students must be in good academic standing as determined by VIU

To apply:

• All applicants are asked to complete an application package and submit it electronically to Dr. Imogene Lim or Dr. Pam Shaw.

Accepted applications will be required to make a non-refundable $500 Field School fee deposit to confirm a seat in the program. Once paid, Field School fees are non-refundable. 

Once accepted to the field school

• All accepted applicants will receive an email requesting the non-refundable deposit of $500 to be paid through your Student Record with subsequent payment deadline dates.

• Before your departure you will be asked by Education Abroad to complete the International Travel Registry & Pre-Departure checklist (including submission of a copy of your passport, flight itinerary, etc). Additionally, all participants must attend pre-departure training sessions. Completion of pre-departure activities must be completed in full before approval for departure.

Itinerary Abroad (Tentative)

• Depart YVR May 7, arrive May 8  Hong Kong
• Macau: Macau Maritime Museum; Historic Centre of Macau; Traditional Pawn Broker Heritage Exhibit; Macau Wine Museum
• Kaiping/Jiangmen/Guangzhou: Jiangmen Wuyi Overseas Chinese Museum; Kaiping Diaolou and Villages; Ancient Chikan Town; Cangdong Village; Beijing Lu Pedestrian Street; Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum; Shamian Island
• Hong Kong: Temple Street Night Bazaar; Chi Lin Nunnery; HK Global Geopark
• Depart May 24 Hong Kong, arrive YVR May 24

Costs and Funding

Field School Fees & Costs: $4,000 (subject to change)

Included in fees:

• Travel (bus/ferry) and lunch for two field trips to Vancouver and Richmond
• Round-trip airfare Vancouver-Hong Kong
• Shared accommodation
• Group meals in China proper, with at least one shared meal in Macau and Hong Kong
• Group program related travel in China
• Some program related entry fees
• Travel medical insurance

Not included in fees:

• Meals in Macau and Hong Kong
• Some ground travel and miscellaneous entry fees 
• Changes to travel itinerary
• Passport and visa expenses (if applicable)
• Canadian passport: 5-year ($120), 10-year ($160)
• China visa for Canadians: $175 (includes service fee, travel agency)
• Personal expenses
• Tuition (domestic student) and fees for (6 credits, ca. $950)

Payments

All payments must be made via the student record. Credit cards are NOT accepted.

Passports and Visas

Passports and Visas

Passports: All participants must have a valid passport good for six months after your return. Apply for a Canadian passport or pick up an application at any Canada Post office.

Visas: Canadian passport holders require a visa for short-term travel to China.

Students will be responsible for applying for and securing their own visas (where appropriate).

Contact Us

Imogene Lim

Instructor, Anthropology
250.753.3245 Ext. 2840
Imogene.Lim@viu.ca

Pam Shaw

Instructor, Community Planning
250.753.3245 Ext. 2620
Pam.Shaw@viu.ca

Education Abroad

Building 255, Second Floor
Phone: 250.753.3245 Ext. 2494
Email: EducationAbroad@viu.ca
Web: VIU Education Abroad