The Amazon Interdisciplinary Field School 2023

EXPERIENCE - Bring to your studies renewed depth, purpose and national/global awareness.

Program Highlights and Travel Dates

Visit Colombia's Amazon Rainforest and experience its rich biological and cultural diversity. After a cultural tour of Bogota, you will travel south to the Calanoa Natural Reserve where you will engage in creative activities, trek and canoe into the forest, and learn indigenous knowledge from local guides and shamans. This 6-credit course and field school uses an interdisciplinary approach to explore themes of sustainability, conservation, community development, and indigenous perspectives.

Highlights

  • Learn about Colombia's history, culture, and current issues from local experts.
  • Visit Bogota's museums, local markets, gardens, historical and iconic architectural sites, and more.
  • Trek through the tropical rainforest and boat down the Amazon River.
  • Search for river dolphins by the Peruvian shore.
  • Tour indigenous villages and meet with shamans, local artisans, and master craftspeople.
  • Engage in creative workshops including pottery making, drawing, photography, and so much more.

Click the following links to download the poster and trifold:

©LKING


Destination

Bogota, Colombia
Leticia, Colombia (Amazonas)

Most of the trip will be spent at the Calanoa Natural Reserve, an artistic, ecological, and community-focused learning center located on the shore of the Amazon River. Calanoa offers an unforgettable experience of the rainforest through workshops that support a creative dialogue with local communities and the environment.


Itinerary

Date

Details

Location

January - April, 2023

Classes at Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

May 5, 2023

Arriving in Bogota, Colombia Bogota, Colombia

May 18, 2023

Depart for Vancouver or continue your travels

Vancouver

 

Field School Dates

  1. Pre-departure classes:  January– April, 2023* 

  2. Travel/Experiential: 2 weeks May 5– May 18, 2023* 

  3. Reflection & Dissemination: TBD  

*Exact days/times for classes are TBD. 

 

Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Currently we are still in the midst of a global COVID-19 pandemic, where there are various health measures in place depending on the country and region. It is the responsibility of each participant in the field school to read and understand the current policies, entry requirements, and restrictions for international travel to Colombia. If there are any circumstances or concerns that will affect your participation, please discuss them with the field school faculty leaders. 

Information:

  1. Travel to Colombia
  2. Travel by air and rail as of October 1, 2022 from the Government of Canada:
  • You shouldn't travel to Canada if you have COVID-19 symptoms
  • All passengers are strongly recommended to wear a mask while they travel

  3. Travel Advisory by the Canadian government
 

Cost and Payment Details 

Program Fee

$3,470 CAD (estimated) 

Program fee covers:
All travel within Colombia, including

  • Transportation in Bogotá
  • Flights from Bogotá to Leticia
  • Land and boat transportation in the Amazon
  • Lodging in Bogotá (bed & breakfast)
  • Lodging in Leticia and Calanoa
  • Majority of your meals
  • Local instructors, lecturers and guides
  • Entrance fees to museums and local attractions
  • Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Does NOT cover:

  • International Flights
  • Your personal spending budget
  • Additional transportation costs, 
  • Additional meals and alcohol
  • KPU tuition (6 credits)

Bringing $200-$500 extra for personal expenses should be sufficient for incidentals (e.g. additional meals, souvenirs, extra outings, etc.). Accommodation, local transportation, tours, city transfers, and museum /exhibitions. 

NOTE: Should a decision be made by KPU to cancel a field school due to low enrolment or other academic/risk issues, participants will be entitled to a full rebate of any payments made including the deposit.

Overall costs

Program fees are an estimation only. The amount will be confirmed at the time of acceptance.

 

PROGRAM FEE

TUITION COST - 3 CREDITS   

International FLIGHT 

Domestic Student 

$3,470

See tuition estimator

Estimated $1,500**

International Student   

$3,470

See tuition estimator*

Estimated $1,500**  

*Rate based on 6 credit charge through Tuition Estimator. Please verify the latest costs by viewing the KPU tuition estimator.  Additional fees may apply on your KPU account for the Multi-Pass and Kwantlen Student Association Extended Dental and Health Plan.     

**Costs are subject to change. For a more accurate estimate, please search for the field school flight dates through your preferred provider.

Payment Timeline

1) Program Fee

Program fees are estimates only. Prices are confirmed at the point of acceptance.

 Domestic Student & International students

 PROGRAM FEE Total $3,470 

Payment DEADLINE

1st Payment   

$500 non-refundable deposit* (Applied to the program fee)

December 16, 2022

2nd Payment   

$1,500

January 15, 2023

3rd Payment

$1,470

February 15, 2023

*The final payment may change depending on the number of students accepted into the program

2) Tuition

Payment of academic fees, due dates, withdrawal charges, refund policies, and associated policies for academic fees are set as per the university calendar.

 

Tuition Cost - 6 credits

DEADLINE

Domestic Student 

See tuition estimator

January 19, 2023

See Spring 2023 Semester Fee Payment Deadline*

International Student

See tuition estimator

January 19, 2023

See Spring 2023 Semester Fee Payment Deadline*

Where to pay

Make your payments on your OSS (Online Self-Service).

Scholarships

Field school scholarships and fundraising opportunities are available! The awards below are open to accepted field school students:

Award

Amount

Application Form

Due Date

Access to Global Learning Award

$2000-$3000

Download

December 1, 2022

Guard.me Global Mobility Fund

Depending on situation

Download

One World International Scholarship

$2000-$3000

Download

Classes Offered and Pre-requisites

DESN 3000 or ARTS 3000 Interdisciplinary Amazon Field School (6-credits)

Classes begin in January and and are co-taught by Design and Arts faculty. To enhance their experience in Colombia, students are encouraged to take introductory Spanish in the Spring term.  Exact day/time for classes TBA. Exact days/times for the pre-departure classes are TBD. Some of the pre-departure work will be done self-paced over Moodle.

Pre-requisites

30 credits of 1100-level courses or higher, or with permission from field school instructors.

Students must be nineteen years or older at the start of the course.

If you are unsure of your qualifications, please contact the field school faculty leaders with your questions, including your student number, program, expected number of credits completed by Spring, and a phone number you can be reached at.

Please contact internationalprograms@kpu.ca if you have any questions about the application.

Amazon Field School-LKing

Application Details and Deadlines

Application Timeline

September 26, 2022

Applications open

December 1, 2022

Applications close 

December 16, 2022

Confirmation of Acceptance & the $500 Non-refundable deposit are due

January 15, 2023

$1,500 Second Payment towards the Program Fee is Due.

January 26, 2023

KPU Tuition Payment due by Spring 2023 Fee Payment Deadline 

February 15, 2023

$1,470 Final Payment towards the Program Fee is Due.

Please contact internationalprograms@kpu.ca for more information if you have questions or concerns.

Application Deadline


Thursday, December 1, 2022
Application Steps
You can apply to join the Amazon Interdisciplinary Field School Design Field School by following 2 easy steps: 
STEP 1: Fill out and submit your completed application online.
STEP 2: Pay your $500 deposit towards your program fees for the field school by December 16, 2022.

Click HERE to Start Your Application! 


Contact Information

Faculty Leaders: 
Marlis Joller
Interior Design, Wilson School of Design  
marlis.joller@kpu.ca

KPU International:
Shanell Wong
Study Abroad Coordinator
internationalprograms@kpu.ca
604.599.2572

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