Make a world of difference with Global Skills Opportunity.
Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) was a pilot project with the federal government from 2021 to 2024 that aimed to empower post-secondary institutions to increase the participation of young Canadians — especially underrepresented students — in international learning opportunities both at home and abroad.
About Global Skills Opportunity
As an integral component of the Government of Canada’s International Education Strategy, Global Skills Opportunity is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, administered jointly by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada.
Projects were implemented by participating colleges and universities across the country.
For more details, visit
There is currently no further Global Skills Opportunity funding. The pilot project ran from 2021 to 2024 and ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison was the recipient of two different grants through the Global Skills Opportunity program. Unfortunately, for spring/summer 2025, we will not be running any field schools with external funding. ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison University may still offer field schools in summer 2025 however, they will not operate with funding and participants will be required to pay a program fee.
Previous GSO funded field schools offered at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison University:
- Utrecht Field School in Psychology
- Kyoto Field School in Religious Studies
- Galápagos Islands Conservation Physiology Field School in Biology
- Edinburgh Fringe Field School for Drama/Screen Studies
- Torre Mordillo Archaeological Field School
- Belize Field School for Indigenous Students (Maple League supported program)
Eligibility
To be considered for one of the GSO field schools, students should meet the following criteria:
- have completed at least one term of studies at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison
- be in good academic standing during this current academic year
- be interested in adding an international experience to their MtA experience
- be interested in traveling with a group of people for an educational experience
- be able to demonstrate a genuine openness towards having an international experience during their time at MtA, for all the challenges and rewards that it offers
- stand to represent ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison well while participating on the program
- hold a valid passport (that is good for six months beyond the date of the field school) or have submitted a passport application to a Service Canada office at the time of applying to the field school
In addition, to be considered for one of the GSO field schools, students who identify as one or more of the following will be given priority selection:
- low-income (someone who currently receives either federal and/or provincial student loans in the 2023-2024 and receives a bursary through ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison)
- student with a disability (someone who is registered with the Meighen Centre in the 2023-2024 academic year as having a physical or learning disability or a medical condition)
- Indigenous
Please note that students that do not identify in one of these two categories may still apply. Also please note that international students may apply but are not eligible for GSO funding.
And the following considerations should also be kept in mind:
- Field schools will prioritize applicants that are majoring or minoring in that particular area of study that they are being offered in. Other students that are not majoring or minoring in these programs are still able to apply.
- These field schools are ideally suited for students entering their second or third year of studies. Graduating students are still able to apply but returning students will be prioritized.
- Previous international experience is not a requirement, nor will students with previous international experience be disadvantaged.
Dates (not applicable for 2025)
Fees (not applicable for 2025)
Please consult each of the sections for individual field schools to understand what is covered by the Global Skills Opportunity funding for students.
There is additional travel funding available through ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison as well.
If the funding for the field school indicates that full expenses will be paid for students for the "program fee" it will be inclusive of the following expenses:
- tuition for one 3-credit course
- return airfare
- accommodations
- meals (Partial meal subsidy)
- insurance
- in-country transportation and other program related fees
Questions? Contact studyabroad@mta.ca.
Utrecht Field School in Psychology (not running in 2025)
Learn about sexuality and sex education — the Dutch way!
The Utrecht Field School in Psychology is an accessible, faculty-led, for-credit field school with Utrecht University.
The Utrecht Field School in Psychology is designed with the student experience at the forefront and offers multiple means of engagement, multiple means of representation and multiple means of action and expression.
The program provides support and services for students with documented physical and learning disabilities by having a staff member from the Meighen Centre attend the field school along with Dr. Lisa Dawn Hamilton.
Program details
This two-week course on cross-cultural sexuality will take place in Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Utrecht is one of the largest cities in The Netherlands, but still has a small-town vibe. The Netherlands is known for the country’s comprehensive approach to sex education, openness about sexuality, and low rates of sexually transmitted infections & unintended pregnancies. They are often seen as a model for other countries in sexuality and sex and relationship education.
The class will cover many topics related to sexuality, with a focus on sex education. We will have our own class at Utrecht University and on some days will also join with Utrecht students in their Adolescent Sexuality class. In the course, students will also have the opportunity to learn from experts at Rutgers International, a sex education organization that conducts research and delivers sex and relationships programming in The Netherlands and abroad.
The group will live in shared furnished apartments for the duration of the Field School in the City Centre in Utrëcht. Apartments will be fully equipped with two beds, a kitchen and bathroom. Apartments are close to shops, supermarkets, restaurants and public transportation.
We will also take two day trips to Amsterdam to visit sex-related museums and exhibits. In this class, we will learn how perspectives on sexuality and sex education differ across cultures. There is a specific focus on comparing the Netherlands and Canada, but we will also explore perspectives in other countries.
Highlights
- Explore Utrecht and Amsterdam
- Utrecht is a pedestrian and bike-friendly city – no cars in the downtown centre
- Amsterdam is a 25 min. train ride away
- Museum of Sex in Amsterdam
- Learning from experts at Rutgers International
- Class with Dutch students at Utrecht University
- Social activities with Dutch students at Utrecht University
- Over 400 public art installations in Utrecht, including Lumen, light art only seen at night
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
# of students: 10-12
Full Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 4 students that will receive full funding from GSO to participate in this field school. Fully funded students will identify as low-income and/or be registered with the Meighen Centre. Fully-funded students may be required to pay for meals in-country.
Partial Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 6-8 students that will receive partial funding from GSO to participate in this field school to cover the cost of tuition for the course and may include the cost of accommodation for the duration of the field school. Partially funded students will be required to pay a program fee to ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison that will cover the cost of the flight, insurance and in-country travel costs and expenses. Partially funded students will be required to pay for their own meals in-country.
Language requirement: none
Pre-requisite: Second-year standing; PSYC 1001; PSYC 1011; or permission of the Department
Academic credit: PSYC 2991
Kyoto Field School in Religious Studies (not running in 2025)
Learn about Japanese religions — in Kyoto, Japan!
In Spring 2024, ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison will offer for the 2nd time, an accessible, faculty-led, for-credit field school in Kyoto, Japan.
The Kyoto Field School in Religious Studies is designed with the student experience at the forefront and will offer multiple means of engagement, multiple means of representation and multiple means of action and expression.
The program will provide support and services for students with documented physical and learning disabilities by having a staff member from the Meighen Centre/Wellness Centre attend the field school along with Dr. Susie Andrews.
Program details
This two-week course on Japanese religions will take place in Kyoto, Japan. Famous for its temples and shrines, gardens, and palaces (including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Kyoto (population 1,463,723) served as Japan’s capital from the time of its 8th century founding to the mid-19th century. Learning from experts at the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of vermillion torii gates. From the thousands of vermillion torii arches at the Fushiminari shrine to the whisks and tea caddy used in the tea ceremony, Kyoto is the ideal place to pursue our course question: what roles does material culture in religious practice and belief?
The group will live in shared furnished apartments for the duration of the Field School in central Kyoto. Apartments will be fully equipped with two beds, a small kitchen and bathroom. Apartments are close to shops, supermarkets, restaurants and public transportation.
In addition to our learning in Kyoto, we will also journey to Nara and Osaka and nearby communities by train.
Highlights
- Explore the cities and regions around Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka
- Learn about the art of Japanese gardens, which has shaped landscape gardening globally.
- Hike among Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine’s thousands of vermillion torii gates
- Wander the Philosopher’s Path and bike along the Kamo riverbank
- Eat Shojin Ryori Temple Cuisine
- Experience Osaka, a 25 min. train ride away
- Engage in social activities with Japanese students from Kwansei Gakuin University (day trip to Kwansei Gakuin University in Nishinomiya)
Location: Kyoto, Japan
# of students: 10-12 students
Full Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 8-10 students that will receive full funding from GSO to participate in this field school. Fully funded students will identify as low-income and/or be registered with the Meighen Centre.
Partial Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 1-3 students that will receive partial funding from GSO to participate in this field school to cover the cost of tuition for the duration of the field school. Partially funded students will be required to pay a program fee to ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison that will cover the cost of the flight, accommodation, insurance and in-country travel costs and expenses. Partially funded students will be required to pay for their own meals in-country.
Language requirement: none
Pre-requisite: 3 credits from RELG; 3 credits from RELG at the 2000 level; or permission of the Department (total 6 credits in RELG)
Academic credit: RELG 3311
Galápagos Islands Conservation Physiology Field School in Biology (not running in 2025)
In Spring 2024, ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison will offer an accessible, faculty-led, for-credit field school in Biology in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.
Students will learn how the physiology of animals can help in conservation management of threatened species in one of the most biodiverse and complex ecosystems on the planet — the Galápagos Islands! This international field school is designed with the student experience at the forefront and will offer multiple means of engagement, multiple means of representation and multiple means of action and expression.
The program will provide support and services for students with documented physical and learning disabilities by having a staff member from the Meighen Centre or Wellness Centre attend the field school along with Dr. Andrea Morash.
Program details
This course is designed for ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison students to study collaboratively with students from Universidad de San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) to learn about the conservation of animals in each individual country. Students will learn about the climate/environmental challenges in both Canada and Ecuador, and work to understand animal physiology and use this knowledge to determine if/how animals will respond to climate change, and how we can use that information to help with conservation management.
This conservation physiology course will have two components:
- A Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) opportunity where our students will meet online (synchronously and asynchronously) with local Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) students and professors several times during the winter term
- A two-week collaborative field course in the Galápagos Islands
While in the Galápagos Islands, students will visit several field sites to collect environmental data and determine animal assemblages and use that data in conjunction with local predictions of climate change impacts to understand what animals might have the capacity to adapt, and how the ecosystem might change in the future. These field trips will involve snorkelling, boat surveys, coastal treks, etc. at a variety of locations around the islands. We will also hear from local speakers discussing their conservation projects on a variety of animals throughout the islands.
Highlights
- Arrive in Quito and receive a day-long orientation at partner university, USFQ
- Explore Quito
- Explore the Galápagos Islands
- See the locations where Charles Darwin studied the evolution of animals
- See local flora and fauna endemic to the Galápagos Islands
- Visit the Galápagos Science Center and hear about the work taking place
- Interact and learn with local Ecuadorian students
- Experience the Galápagos culture and island life
- Snorkel/dive/swim with sharks, sea lions, tropical fish, sea turtles in pristine coral reefs
Location: San Cristobal Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
# of students: 12-15
Full Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 8-10 students that will receive full funding from GSO to participate in this field school. Fully funded students will identify as low-income and/or be registered with the Meighen Centre.
Partial Funding: For spring 2024, there will be approximately 1-3 students that will receive partial funding from GSO to participate in this field school to cover the cost of tuition for the course. Partially funded students will be required to pay a program fee to ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison that will cover the cost of the flight, accommodation, insurance and in-country travel costs and expenses. Partially funded students will be required to pay for their own meals, in-country.
Language requirement: none (but some knowledge of Spanish will be an asset)
Pre-requisite: Third or fourth-year standing; BIOL 2401, BIOL 2101 (3201 and/or 3811 an asset)
Academic credit: BIOL 3991
Edinburgh Fringe Festival Field School (not running in 2025)
The Edinburgh Fringe field school is a 3-credit A-term course that counts towards both the Drama Studies major/minor and the Screen Studies minor.
During this period of experiential learning, students will witness the expressive arts in ways that are uniquely accessible through Fringe.
They will have opportunities to attend dramas, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children's shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions. Students will meet artists, navigate street events, build networks, discover innovative approaches to theatre and the arts more broadly. They will spend a day at the National Archives of Scotland and on either the front end or the back of their time in Edinburgh, the group will spend 2 days in London, England.
Visit the Drama website for more information.
Torre Mordillo Archaeological Field School
The program is designed to offer students a holistic view of methodologies and techniques of modern archaeological research, as well as the main theoretical issues related to this discipline, through an extended period of experiential learning.
The field school entails 5 weeks of archaeological fieldwork (excavation), classification, analysis and emergency restoration of ancient artifacts and application of 3D scanning and digital photogrammetry to archaeological contexts.
Daily field work will mostly consist of:
- Archaeological excavation using the single context recording system
- Site recording including technical drawing, context recording and photography
- Artefact processing including handling, cleaning, and storage
Apply for Torre Mordillo Field School
Visit the Classics website for full details.
Belize Field School for Indigenous students
Nation to Nation: Building Indigenous Knowledge Across International Borders
Indigenous students from the Maple League of Universities — ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison, St. Francis Xavier, Acadia, Bishop’s — come together to have a short-term study abroad experience in Belize through Galen University in the spring 2022, 2023, and 2024 terms, focusing on sharing their Indigenous experience and learning about other indigenous cultures abroad.
Students will enroll in a course through Galen University to have an immersive two-week experience that combines in-class teaching, field trips, community engagement, and group and individual reflection. Students will receive academic credit for their experience. The group will travel to multiple locations around Belize to learn about the Yucatec, Mopan, Garinagu and K’eckchi cultures of Belize with a faculty member from Galen University.
Through Global Skills Opportunity bursaries, all expenses for up to four (4) Indigenous participants from ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Allison University for 2024 will be covered in an effort to reduce barriers for students who would like to have an education abroad experience.
For more information and/or to apply, visit the