studying abroad

If there is one regret I have from my time at Queen's, it's that I didn't do an exchange. Whether it be for a summer or a full year, get off your ass and do it. When else do you have the opportunity to live and study in a different country and have Queen's cover most of the costs?! Below are a few options for getting your international thirst quenched. Do make sure to visit the QUIC website for a boatload of other options.

The Castle

A very wealthy and generous gent by the name of Alfred Bader donated Herstmonceux Castle in Great Britain some time ago. It is now a well-known and popular place – at least for Queen’s students, to spend a term (or first year) of their university careers. It’s a bit out of the way of anything particularly exciting (London, or civilization, for that matter); however there are plenty of opportunities to venture elsewhere. Many classes take field trips or excursions to popular European destinations. It’s also a good start-off point for a backpacking trip. Most people who leave the castle return to Queen’s having learned a lot and having made a tight group of friends. Plus, it's a well known fact that they grade pretty easily. Visit the website for more information. Sessions fill up quickly, and the program isn't cheap, so make sure to apply for both admission and scholarships / bursaries early.

Note: Very generous donations have been made in order for students with high financial need to attend the castle. Wink wink, hint hint .. if there was one bursary to apply for this is the one.

International Exchanges

In third year many students decide to spend a term abroad at a university with which Queen’s organizes exchanges. Destinations include Australia, Scotland (St. Andrews, University of Glasgow), China, Ireland and Sweden. There are plenty more. Bear in mind that it is often difficult to be placed in your first choice – especially if it’s a popular destination such as Australia, and your marks aren’t top notch. Visit the Queen's University International Center website for more information.

CANEX

If it's a simple change of pace you are looking for, then look no further than the CANEX program. CANEX allows students to study at participating Canadian universities, such as McGill or UBC. While the fees remain the same of those at Queen's, it gives students a great opportunity to see what life at another university in Canada is like, to experience another part of our country, and to still stay on track with their academic programs.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO SUMMER ABROAD

If you are interested in spending a summer abroad, a great organization to do this with, and still receive full course credit is with the University of Toronto. There are a wide range of programs available, everything from field aArchaeology in Madaba Jordan to ecology and conservation in the Amazon to Central European politics in Budapest, Prague, Wroclaw and Vienna! Financial assistance is available, even as a Queen's student, and both scholarships and bursaries exist, just make sure to apply early. These courses are not cheap, however they include flights, accomodation, and the course credit - and, in the long run, are much less than the cost of spending a full term abroad. Generally these courses run from 4 - 6 weeks.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE IN VENICE

The Art History department at Queen's offers a course each year in Venice. Year after year the program gets rave reviews from students who have the chance to spend a month roaming the city streets of Venice for a full course credit. All aspects of the art and architecture of Venice and its region with a focus on the late Middle Ages and Early and High Renaissance are studied, and the class structure is intense. Remember, you are fitting a full credit into a matter of weeks. Funding is available, and you may well need it. This is the most expensive course offered at Queen's, it will set you back about $7000 all inclusively. Not exactly a steal, but an innovating and exciting way to learn if you can afford it. That said, at Queen's, most people can.