Taking your classroom global

The Group Study Program recently published its 2026 Call for Proposals with the Global Learning team excited to invite faculty members to consider leading a program. This is a unique opportunity to engage in real-world, hands-on teaching that significantly enhances student learning and experience, aligning with UCalgary’s Experiential Learning and Global Engagement Plans.

Group Study Programs (also known as international field schools) allow instructors to take teaching into the field, actively incorporating their program locations into their courses. Each year, the University of Calgary offers between 10 and 20 programs which range in length from 10 days to six weeks, primarily in the spring and summer semesters. Some programs offer a combination of on-campus and travel-based components, while others take place entirely abroad. Virtual programs are also an option.

“Group Study Programs offer an unparalleled opportunity for faculty to innovate in their teaching and provide students with impactful learning experiences,” says Colleen Packer, Director of Global Learning. "These programs offer students innumerable academic, personal and professional benefits and are often a highlight of their university experience. For instructors, leading a study abroad program allows you to engage your students in ways that are not possible in a traditional on-campus setting and may end up being one of the most rewarding experiences of your teaching career.”

Why Lead a Group Study Program?

Leading a Group Study Program offers numerous benefits:

• Impactful Teaching: Engage students in real-world learning experiences that are both impactful and transformative.
• Global Engagement: Support your faculty’s global engagement goals and potentially deepen relationships with existing international collaborators.
• Comprehensive Support Whether you’re new to this kind of programming or a seasoned veteran, we have a team of experts who are here to support both you and your students every step of the way.

Dr. Reed Ferber PhD, Professor and Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Kinesiology is running his first program, Unscrupulous Anatomy and Modern Medicine, this spring. “I started thinking about creating a Group Study Program over 10 years ago, as I could always imagine that going to Italy to study the beginnings of human anatomy discovery would be an amazing hands-on experience for the students. Now that we’re less than two months away from our first trip, the excitement from the students is really outstanding. We’ve created a group chat on WhatsApp and they’re already getting together to plan things out.”

Dr. Aaron Williams, PhD, Professor (Teaching) and Undergraduate Program Director, Department of Geography, has led over 50 programs. 

“I find it rewarding to instruct students in the field, helping them witness and understand cultures, places, and environments, as well as complex regional and global issues. They provide many of our students their first international academic experience, something that can be highly valued within their degree program both personally and for prospective employment following graduation. For academics, field study programs are the medium to which we can apply theories and subject matter of our courses and our disciplines out in the world, but they are also an opportunity to share our own research and expertise in an applied field learning experience. I have also found over the years that collaboration with colleagues through field study has been extremely rewarding, developing collegial research and teaching relationships with university colleagues at the University of Calgary, and abroad.”

Upcoming information sessions 

Any faculty members interested in learning more are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session, taking place virtually on March 19 and April 7. Attending these sessions will provide valuable insights into the process of developing and leading a Group Study Program. Don’t miss this chance to make a significant impact on student learning and contribute to our institution's global engagement goals.

Register for Wednesday, March 19, 12 - 1 p.m.

Register for Monday, April 7, 4 - 5 p.m.

View our instructor guide or more information, or contact our Global Learning team at group.study@ucalgary.ca