Geography Field School in Barbados
Experience the captivating Geography Field School in Barbados! Immerse yourself in diverse cultures and unique heritage while studying contrasting physical landscapes. Witness firsthand how Barbados addresses climate change, environmental degradation and undertaking a decolonialization process. Our collaboration with the University of the West Indies enriches your learning through a co-instructional framework, fostering a vibrant cross-cultural exchange. Embrace the transformative power of sharing ideas with UWI students and making meaningful contributions to both communities. Join us for an unforgettable adventure, broadening your horizons and leaving a positive impact on the world. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity in Barbados!
Key information
Application information
Have questions?
For program information, please contact Dr. Brian Moorman at moorman@ucalgary.ca
For application and registration support, please contact the Group Study Team at group.study@ucalgary.ca
Other useful links:
2025 GEOG Barbados Info Session
Program details
Questions about these courses should be directed to the program instructor.
Please note: course descriptions are tentative and subject to change.
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Courses offered
Students on this program are required to enroll in three courses.
GEOG 390: International Field Studies (3 units)
GEOG 436: Field Studies in Physical and Environmental Geography (3 units)
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Prerequisites
GEOG 512: 3 units from Geog 305. 307, 313, 408, 410, 412, 413 or Arky 413 or consent of the department.
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Pre-departure
March TBD: Pre-Departure Orientation facilitated by Group Study Programs.
May 5-9: On-campus background and logistics education
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In-field
Itinerary is subject to change
August 9: Toronto Overnight flight
August 10: Holetown Barbados - Arrival at Bellairs Research Institute
August 11: UWI - University of the West Indies
August 12: UWI - University of the West Indies
August 13: North Point - regional tour and field data collection
August 14: Bridgetown - city tour
August 15: Scotland District - regional site visits
August 16: Dover - Graeme Hall
August 17: Bathsheba - locations in the south-east parishes
August 18: St. Thomas - Harrison’s Cave tour
August 19: Holetown - Local walking tour
August 20: Bridgetown area - Holetown to Worthing ephemeral streams
August 21: Holetown - At Bellairs Institute
August 22: Holetown - At Bellairs Institute
August 23: Holetown - Final Presentation
August 24: Calgary - Flight to Calgary
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Post-field
Assignment due dates to be determined.
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Costs
The estimated cost of this Group Study Program is $7,280 will include tuition, airfare, field trips, local transportation, accommodations and meals.
For the full cost breakdown and payment deadlines, please see the program Student Cost Summary.
Important information regarding deposit payments: Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits secure your space in the program and allows payment for logistical arrangements to be made in advance.
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Funding
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Faculty of Arts Group Study Program (GSP) Scholarships (for GSP participants) and Faculty of Arts Student Study Abroad Scholarships (for other international programs) - up to 10 awards of $1000 each! Application not currently open. Details to come.
Student loans: If you qualify for student loans, your program should qualify. Please note that eligibility for student loans is determined by your loans provider.
Students will be staying at the Bellairs Research Institute.
Statement of Purpose
Please tell us why you want to study abroad, why you have selected this particular program (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how this program will meet your academic objectives and/or complement your degree, how you plan to finance your program and why you should be selected.
The Statement of Purpose is submitted within your online application (max 500 words).
Note: Because the online application will time out after one hour, we recommend that you compose your statement of purpose in advance in Word to check for spelling, grammar and word count, and then paste it into the online application.
Please note: In addition to the requirements listed here, the instructor may request a brief meeting with potential candidates.
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Unofficial Transcript
- Download an unofficial transcript from your Student Centre. Click here for a step-by-step guide to access your unofficial transcript.
- Submit your transcript through your online application with your statement of purpose.
Please ensure that you have read the Group Study Program General FAQs thoroughly before applying.
Getting started
Program-Specific Info Sessions
Info sessions are scheduled for every Group Study Program. Attending an info session is not required to apply, but strongly recommended as it will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor and learn more about the travel experience.
We also recommend watching Global Learning 101 for general information.
Global Learning Advising
If you have questions about this program, you can meet with one of our Global Learning Advisors by emailing group.study@ucalgary.ca or booking an appointment through the link below.
1. Select "Advising"
2. Select “Study Abroad”
3. Select “Book by Appointment Type”
4. Select your program advisor to view available times.
Academic Advising
Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how a Group Study Program might align with your degree.
After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.