Geography Field School in Barbados
Embark on an unforgettable adventure 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
2026 Info Session
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:
Program details
The information below was last updated on: September 5, 2025
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: To accommodate students from all faculties these prerequisites will be waived with consent of the department
(3 units from GEOG 305, 307, 313, 408, 410, 412, 413 or ARKY 413)
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Pre-departure
TBA: Pre-Departure Orientation facilitated by Group Study Programs.
May 11-15: On-campus background and logistics education.
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In-field
Itinerary subject to change.
May 16: Toronto Overnight flight
May 17: Holetown Barbados - Arrival at Bellairs Research Institute
May 18-19: UWI - University of the West Indies
May 20: North Point - Regional tour and field data collection
May 21: Scotland District - Regional site visits
May 22: St. Thomas - Harrison’s Cave tour
May 23: Bridgetown - Walking tour
May 24: St. James - Coastal walk
May 25: Welchman Hall - Research project data gathering
May 26: Dover - Graeme Hall
May 27: Bathsheba - Locations in the south-east parishes
May 28: West Coast - St. James hydrological features
May 29: Holetown - At Bellairs Institute
May 30: Holetown - Local data gathering and analysis
May 31: Final Island tour and flight to Calgary
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Post-field
None
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Costs
The estimated cost of this Group Study Program is $7,523. It 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 and the Global Learning Award. Students may only receive these awards once.
Faculty of Arts Student Study Abroad Scholarships, Faculty of Science IDEAS Fund and other Faculty Specific Awards. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
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.
*They are able to accommodate for all dietary restrictions if informed in advance.
This program is open to undergraduate students in good academic standing from all faculties.
Online Application: All Group Study Program applications have general questions about how the program will meet your goals (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how you plan to finance your program, and coping skills for travelling abroad. These questions are designed to help narrow down your motivation for applying and why you should be selected.
The online application will time out after 1 hour, we recommend writing out your answers to the application questions in a Word document.
Once you are ready, click here to access the application system.
Applications will be considered after your online application, unofficial transcript and program agreement have been received in full.
Announcements on whether you have been selected to the program will not be distributed until after the November 10 deadline.
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Unofficial Transcript
Required for non-UCalgary students only.
Please ensure that you have read the Group Study Program General FAQs thoroughly before applying.
Previous Program Experiences
Photos by the instructor Dr. Brian Moorman
The advisor for this program is: Andrea Santos V.
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.