FASS Field Schools

Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, field schools are generally offered in the Summer term and are an off-campus delivery of SFU courses for a small cohort of students. 

Facilitated by the Study Abroad office, most field schools are full term programs directed by an SFU instructor, consisting of 3 to 12 units of selected courses. On a field school you will undertake a combination of coursework, assignments, and field studies intended to integrate learning with the location. Generally, programs begin at an SFU campus and then continue overseas. You will pay a program fee which covers most of the in-country costs of the program.

Summer 2025

General Field School Info Session

January 14, 2025 (Tue)  |  5:30 - 7:00 pm PT  |  Online (Zoom)

Register now

NATO Field School and Simulation Program

Rome, Italy | Brussels, Belgium | The Hague, Netherlands | Riga, Latvia

Application Deadline: December 10, 2024

Open to students from all NATO nations. The NATO Field School and Simulation Program gives students the to opportunity to observe professionals and experts in their working environment and be immersed in the decisions that political, diplomatic, and military personnel face. This includes visits across Europe, including NATO HQ, SHAPE, the European External Action Services, the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, and many more.

Students will also have the opportunity to develop and test their skills through negotiation and decision-making simulations with mentorship from senior officials and diplomats. Like a dynamic practicum or apprenticeship, the NATO Field School prepares you for entry-level employment in foreign affairs, defence policy and various national and international security sectors, as well as international NGO sectors.

Learn more

Info Session
  • January 15, 2025 (Wed)
  • 5:00 pm PT 

Join the Zoom

 

International Perspectives on Cybercrime

Glasgow, Scotland

Application Deadline: January 29, 2025

There probably isn’t another crime as international as cybercrime, potentially touching many jurisdictions in the process. This program explores those international issues along with law enforcement and judicial responses. We focus on case studies from Canada, the UK and the USA.

The program takes place in Glasgow, Scotland. It is international in nature, bringing together students from Scotland's University of Strathclyde, other local institutions, and Germany, alongside professors and guest speakers. This way, the class can explore issues from completely different perspectives. The course is compressed into a week of intensive classes. 

Students of all academic programs are welcome, though a background in social science or criminology and an interest in cybercrime are beneficial.

Learn more

Info Session
  • January 9, 2025 (Thur)
  • 4:30 - 5:30pm PT 
  • In-person at Harbour Centre room 1520 or Online (Zoom)

Email aairas@sfu.ca

Comparative Urban Sustainability

Helsinki, Finland

Application Deadline: January 29, 2025

How different do sustainable cities look and feel, on the ground in the Nordic region? What secrets can be learned from the local contexts, cultures, sites, designs, structures and stories that have shaped urban sustainability practices and outcomes in Helsinki, Finland?

This program will offer preliminary sessions in the Vancouver region and a two-week field travel program in the Helsinki region in Finland. We will learn on our feet how Helsinki has achieved results in urban policy and planning areas from affordable housing to sustainable transportation, Indigenous reconciliation, public spaces, community gardens, cultural institutions, emergency planning, and more, and learn to apply a comparative lens with patterns, trends, and innovations in Vancouver.

All SFU students with an interest in social science and in questions of urban sustainability are welcome to apply.

Learn more

Field School in Developmental Psychology

Vanuatu

Application Deadline: January 29, 2025

Students live and conduct their research in Lounikawek village on Tanna island, Vanuatu at the host village of Dr. Tanya Broesch's culture and development long-term field laboratory. Students spend this time integrating into the community, discussing and revising their research project within the community, implementing their research project, obtaining feedback from the community, and communicating their research back to the community and to the Vanuatu supporting organizations. 

This field school equips undergraduate students in psychology or related fields with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to approach scientific endeavours through a community-engaged, multimethod, and globally responsible lens. Coursework focuses on the development, implementation, and evaluation of social science research involving children and families.

Students will work to develop and implement their research project focused on understanding how children learn from others. The project centers on how children learn about and engage with nature. 

Learn more