Summer 2008 closed

3 weeks (July 23 - August 17, 2008)

Sponsored by the Center for Integrative Studies in General Science in the College of Natural Science

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This region provides a beautiful natural laboratory and exciting place to explore and study the phenomena of nature. The program takes place in the Canadian Rockies with Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks serving as the classroom for an outstanding program. These parks contain some of Canada’s most spectacular wilderness – including alpine mountains and meadows, glacial ice fields, extensive forests, whitewater rivers, and a wide variety of flora and fauna. The itinerary includes backpack and day trips from base camps on challenging trails that will give students maximum opportunities to observe wildlife, geology and ecology of this region. See wapiti, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears and other wildlife.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

What can I study?

All students are required to enroll for six (6) semester credits. Three of these credits must be in ISB 202 or NSC 490 with the other three coming from some combination of NSC 390, NSC 491, or ISB 208L. NSC 390 and NSC 490 are independent study courses and ISB 208L is the non-majors biology laboratory course. The credit requirement may be modified for graduating seniors, who may enroll for a minimum of four credits.

NON-SCIENCE MAJORS

ISB 202 can be taken to help complete the Integrative Studies in Biological Science requirements. NSC 390 can be used to fulfill elective course requirements.

SCIENCE MAJORS

Both NSC 490 and NSC 491 can be used to help fulfill science elective requirements.

What are the requirements?

Michigan State University students, as well as students from other colleges and universities, are welcome to apply.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Students must also supply the necessary equipment for rigorous outdoor backpacking and camping activities.

Final acceptance into the program is based on an individual interview with the faculty leader that examines, among other issues, the applicant’s personal and academic backgrounds. In addition, a one-page essay on why each applicant wishes to participate in this program and how it fits into their academic studies is required.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will camp in several national parks of the Canadian Rockies. In addition, students will have the opportunity to stay in a chalet for three nights in Banff, Alberta.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Larry Besaw
Department of Entomology
Tel: 355-3785
besaw@msu.edu

Gabe Ording
Department of Entomology
Tel: 353-8599
ordingga@msu.edu

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks is usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

In addition, this program requires regular, constant and demanding physical activity and/or above average physical fitness for full participation. The rigorous outdoor backpacking, hiking and camping activities will require students show evidence that they are in good physical condition by submitting a physician’s medical report, which will be sent to them at the time of acceptance. This report will describe the program as follows: “Before coming to Canada students should be able to run or jog two miles without stopping. The daily hiking requirements during the course will gradually develop further strength and endurance that will enable them to carry at least a 30-pound pack on the two backpacking trips held during this program. Early hikes of 2-3 miles lead to a final hike of 17 miles with pack. Adequate stops for food and drink are made during all trips. Hikes are neither racing nor endurance events but are designed to provide the student with an experience that enhances course material. All hikes take place between 4,000-9,000 feet.”

For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $2,346 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• transportation from Banff, Alberta to various points in Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho Parks
• all national park and camping fees
• lodging for three nights in a chalet in Banff
• some meals
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• transportation to Banff, Alberta
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

*Check http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/ for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are February 1st for spring break programs, March 1st for summer, academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for winter break and spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.