Exchanges and Study Abroad
Check out current opportunities below.
Contact Dal AC International for latest information on all opportunities.
Ready for the next step: Apply here.
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Tropical Rainforest Ecotour in Dominica
Exploring Resource Management and Cultural Heritage
Application Now Open to all Dal students!
Deadline to Apply: December 17th 2024, 11:59pm.
Travel dates: February 17-21, 2025 (Winter Study Break)
Overview: The study abroad tour to Dominica in partnership with Dominica State College offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the lush natural resources of the Nature Island and the significant Indigenous heritage in the rich context of Dominica. The objectives for this trip encompass a social sciences viewpoint, aiming to deepen understanding of societal dynamics, cultural heritage, and social issues within the Caribbean region.
The activity will include a COIL opportunity in the winter semester.
This activity will be linked to the students cocurricular record and academic transcript.
Objectives/Deliverables:
- Explore Dominica's diverse cultural heritage and its impact on identity formation, investigating topics such as the influence of colonialism, the preservation of Indigenous knowledge, and the resilience of cultural traditions.
- Examine socio-economic disparities and development. Analyze socio-economic disparities within Dominica, examining factors such as poverty, inequality, and sustainable development initiatives. Engage with local communities to understand the challenges and strategies for social and economic empowerment.
- Investigate environmental sustainability and forest products resource and management. Study the relationship between environmental sustainability, climate change, and social resilience in Dominica. Examine the impacts of natural disasters, community adaptation strategies, and the role of Indigenous knowledge in environmental stewardship.
Through these objectives, the group will engage in critical analysis, interdisciplinary discussions, and experiential learning to gain a comprehensive understanding of the social sciences in the context of Dominica. This trip aims to foster cross-cultural dialogue, promote social justice, and empower students to apply their knowledge and skills in addressing social issues within Indigenous communities.
Cost and Student Funding:
Estimated cost per student is $6500.
Partial funding ranging from $3000 up to $4000 is available to students who meet the eligibility criteria. Costs will be refined and confirmed as the trip planning continues.
Eligibility:
To receive funding, students must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
The higher funding amount is for students who identify as Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, persons with a disability/academic accommodation, and/or low income.
More information will be provided at an information session. Stay tuned, the time and date of this session to be posted soon!
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Equine Welfare - Study Abroad in UK
Application now closed.
Travel dates: reading week 2024 (Nov 11-15)
This opportunity will be a week-long study abroad with a focus on equine studies, and an emphasis on welfare, and exposure to veterinary nursing and bio vet services on Hartpury College campus. Students in the course will have an opportunity to travel to Hartpury College in Gloucester, United Kingdom, an established Dalhousie partner. The UK college’s campus is similarly focused on agriculture and environmental stewardship and will serve as the centre from which the exchange will take place. Day trips are planned to community and industry sites with some opportunities to attend lectures, research presentations, equine therapy centre and a racing simulator at the campus. The study abroad opportunity will be linked to students’ academic transcript through a co-curricular record. Students will:
- Participate in equine research activities
- Experience an equestrian sports simulator
- Visit a stallion farm and a polo match
- Do sightseeing around England
- Visit an equine hospital
Eligibility: Open to all Dal students. Preferrance will be given to students that have completed one or more of the following courses:
- BIOA 1002 (Biology 1)
- BIOA 1003 (Biology 2)
- BIOL 1011 (Principles of Bilogy Part ll)
- ANSC 2003 (Companion Animal Behaviour)
- VTEC 0124 (Fundamentals In Veterinary Technology ll)
Funding assistance may be available: To receive funding, students must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident. Higher funding will be available to students who identify as Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, persons with a disability/academic accommodation, and/or low income.
Funding for this study abroad experience ranges between $2500 and $3500.
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Aeres Dairy Facility and Waste Management, Netherlands
Application now closed.
Travel dates: reading week 2024 (Nov 11-15)Interested students from the Business Management Dairy (DBM) program will be traveling to Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Hogeschool Dronten in Netherlands during the 2023 fall break. The University will serve as the centre from which the exchange will take place, with day trips planned to various unique farm and environmental management sites particular to Holland.
The itinerary is not yet confirmed, but example of sites that will be visited include:
- floating farms;
- farms with highly specialized and integrated waste management systems;
- a tour of the working university farm;
- site visit to Attero Waste Management Facility;
- culturally important sites in and around the capital city of Amsterdam.
As this is an educational trip, students will be expected to complete the following objectives:
- A pre-trip Collaborative Online Integrated Learning (COIL) experience that will engage students in comparing Canadian and Dutch agricultural production and environmental management practices.
- After returning, students are expected to complete a follow-up project, where they will present how their perceptions were met once on the ground in the Netherlands, and if they have any relevance or implications on agricultural practices that can be applied back home. Students are also expected to highlight Canadian practices that may be more advanced and suggest implementation strategies in Dutch production systems.
Cost & Student Funding:
The estimated cost for this opportunity is $5000. Partial funding is available to students who meet the eligibility requirement. Funding for this study abroad experience ranges between $2500 and $3500.Costs will be refined as the trip planning continues.
Eligibility:
To receive funding, students must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
This application is open only to all Dal students with prority given to students enrolled in APSC0200 Environmental Management.
More information will be provided at an information session. Stay tuned for when the time and date of this session is announced!
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Step Into Community Agriculture - The Field Course
Applications now closed. Stay tuned for information on next offering
A program for African Nova Scotians or people of African descent in Nova Scotia
Are you aware of the issue of food insecurity and its connection to the racial disparities in African Nova Scotian (ANS) Communities?
Do you want to be part of real-life solutions to eliminate food deserts in your community?
Are you alumni of the Bridge into Agriculture program?
If so, then the Step into Community Agriculture Field Course may be a match for you!
What is Step into Community Agriculture- The Field Course?
Hosted by Extended Learning and Dal AC International, Faculty of Agriculture, this 4-week program is designed to empower participants of African descent in Nova Scotia with the knowledge and skills needed to address the critical issue of food deserts in local communities.
This course will build on the success of Bridge into Agriculture: A Program for African Nova Scotians, which was developed to bridge the gap between African Nova Scotian communities and agriculture through the production of a small vegetable garden. This new course will action what students have learned and guide them through the next steps of exploring community supported agriculture programs and putting what they have learned into practice.
Alumni of the Bridge into Agriculture program will travel internationally to explore successful community programs that address systemic racism, food desertification and food security and bring lessons learned back to their Nova Scotian communities. Each student will explore their own goals for community engagement and develop a plan of action for sustainable programs and activities that support food sovereignty in Nova Scotia.
Program Details:
· Duration: 4 weeks
· Potential course dates (TBC):
- Week 1: August 18-24 (Approximately 10 hours of online, self paced study with one live evening class with the course facilitator)
- Week 2: August 25-31 (Approximately 10 hours of online, self paced study with one live evening class with the course facilitator)
- Week 3: September 1-7 (travel week- final destinations to be determined. Tentatively New York State, Toronto)
- Week 4: September 8-14 (Approximately 14 hours of online, self paced study with one live evening class with the course facilitator)
· Location: Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia (Hybrid Delivery- Online and In-person)
· Eligibility: Participants who have completed the Bridge into Agriculture program or are actively involved in community initiatives
· Fee: Tuition and travel expenses will be covered by the program.
o Please note: students will be responsible to pay for meals during travel and will be reimbursed with a daily per diem upon return. The daily per diem rate allows for meal claims up to $111.95/day or $783.65/week. Students should budget for approximately $111.95 in food costs per day which will be reimbursed upon their return.
Please note, applications are not yet open for this course. The team is finalizing details and is accepting expressions of interest from those who are interested, available to travel, and within the eligibility parameters.
For more information please contact Extended Learning at extended.learning@dal.ca or 902-893-6666.
To express your interest, please complete the application at the top of the page.
Course breakdown
Weeks 1-2: Orientation to Food Deserts
During the first two weeks, you'll dive into understanding food deserts in Nova Scotia, exploring topics such as the history of agriculture in the ANS community and the subsequent racial disparities in food access, the Canadian perspective on the issue, and developing cross-cultural understanding when engaging with diverse communities. Through group discussions leading to an increased awareness of local community initiatives, you'll gain valuable insights into the root causes of food insecurity. You will be given an opportunity to share your ideas and opinions in group forums.
Week 3: Explore Real-Life Solutions
In the third week, you'll embark on an eye-opening journey to New York City, Albany, Chicago, and Toronto (destinations to be confirmed and are subject to change), where you'll visit locations implementing effective solutions to combat food deserts. Learn firsthand from community organizations working tirelessly to address food insecurity and examine the connection between racism and food deserts.
DRAFT Itinerary (TBC, subject to change)
*Please note: these are proposed destinations and are subject to change based on availability.
Location |
Day |
Organization |
Suggested Workshop Theme/Activity |
New York City |
1 |
Harlem Grows |
To Be Confirmed |
1 |
Black Joy Farm |
To Be Confirmed |
|
Albany |
2 |
Black Yard Farm Collective |
To Be Confirmed |
3 |
Soul Fire Farm |
To Be Confirmed |
|
|
4 |
Chicago’s Community Growers Program |
To Be Confirmed |
5 |
Hermitage Community Gardens |
To Be Confirmed |
|
5 |
Urban Growers Collective |
To Be Confirmed |
|
Toronto |
6 |
Toronto Metropolitan University |
To Be Confirmed |
|
6 |
Black Creek Community Farm |
To Be Confirmed |
Week 4: Proposal Development
Upon returning, you'll have one week to synthesize your experiences and develop a comprehensive proposal on how to implement or contribute to similar initiatives in local communities. Your proposal, which accounts for 70% of your grade, will be a blueprint for action to eliminate food deserts and instability in the province.
Why Join?
· Gain invaluable knowledge and skills to make a real difference in your community
· Network with like-minded individuals and experts in the field
· Receive hands-on experience and support from experienced educators and mentors
· Put your plans into action and contribute to meaningful change in Nova Scotia
Step into community agriculture and shape a brighter future for Nova Scotia!
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