Europe sustainability field school

Guide Thorsten Gödtel showcases the HafenCity development to the students in Hamburg, DE. Photo: Alexander Ma.

Dates: May 5 to June 8, 2025

Join this travel study program exploring cutting-edge sustainability efforts in Europe and get credit for 2 300-level geography courses.

This exciting 4-week itinerary includes cities in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. We will meet with urban planners, community leaders, scholars and other engaged people who are grappling with the challenges of building socially and ecologically sustainable and resilient cities.

We’ll travel by train, bus, ferry, bike and local transit to various sites of interest. Hostel or equivalent affordable accommodation is arranged. Most days involve guided field trips, hands-on workshops and engaging discussions. There will be plenty of time for individual exploration.

Course description

Students register in both classes. Each course is worth 1.5 credits for a total of 3 credits.

GEOG 388 – Regional Studies: Europe
Instructor: Cameron Owens
May 5 to June 8, 2025

This course, delivered as part of an off-campus travel study program, focuses on the regional geography of Europe attending in an engaging, experiential way to physical, historical, cultural and political elements of the region with a focus on human/environment relationships. The course complements and must be taken in association with GEOG 317.

GEOG 317 – Field Studies in Sustainable Communities
Instructor: Cameron Owens
May 5 to June 8, 2025

This course, delivered as part of an off-campus travel study program, focuses on sustainable community development. Students will learn in an engaging, experiential format about efforts to address social, economic and ecological concerns facing contemporary communities. The course complements and must be taken in association with GEOG 388.

Proposed itinerary

May 5-9: pre-departure program at UVic
May 10-11: pack, prepare and depart Canada for Europe
May 12-19: Norway - Bergen & Oslo
May 20-23: Sweden - Stockholm
May 24-28: Denmark - Copenhagen
May 29 to Jun 8: Germany - Hamburg/Lübeck, Münster and Freiburg
Jun 9: Travel onwards

Eligibility

You must be a UVic student who has completed your first year of study. You must be able to register in 300-level geography courses. Otherwise, you need special permission from the instructor, Cam Owens (camo@uvic.ca).

Non-geography students are invited to apply. Priority will be given to students interested in urban sustainability.

How to apply

Applications for the 2025 field school are closed. Contact geography@uvic.ca or camo@uvic.ca if you have any questions.

Fees

Students pay regular UVic tuition plus field school fees. Field school fees can be paid by cheque, money order or cash only. Cheques and money orders should be made payable to the University of Victoria.

Payment can be dropped off at the geography main office (David Turpin B203) or mailed (cheques and money orders only; do not mail cash).

Field school fees

$1000 deposit due with application
$3250 due by February 27, 2025

Field school fees include:

all accommodations during the travel study part of the field program
breakfasts
activity costs (entry admissions, guided tour and workshop fees, presenters’ fees)
ground transportation (e.g. train, local transit, ferry, bike rentals)
emergency contingency fund

Field school fees do not include:

tuition
airfare (to allow students flexibility in terms of travel plans)
other expenses: e.g. meals (apart from breakfast), entertainment, travel insurance (if you need coverage beyond your UVSS plan)

The field school fees have been subsidized by the Faculty of Social Sciences. There may be additional funding through scholarships and financial aid or the International Centre for Students.