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Global opportunities for York students

Posted on 15 January 2016

Three international short summer courses will be available to all York students this year with opportunities to visit Washington DC, USA, British Columbia, Canada, and Cape Town, South Africa.

The International Study Centres (ISCs) provide a chance to spend two weeks exploring an academic theme and visiting areas of interest with a group of 20-25 fellow students.

This year, ISCs will be hosted by George Washington University in Washington DC, the University of British Columbia on their Okanagan campus, Canada, and the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Course details are as follows:

• The Washington DC ISC will focus on Justice, Equality and Policy: A Global Perspective.Appealing to students interested in politics, history, equality, and economic development, it will include a tour of the Capitol building, talks by members of the World Bank and a trip to Philadelphia.  The course takes place from Saturday 18 June to Tuesday 5 July 2016, also coinciding with 4 July celebrations.
• The Okanagan ISC will focus on Culture, Enterprise and Environment in Canada's aboriginal heartlands. This will be of interest to students drawn to anthropology, social enterprise, the history of the First Nations, the environment, regional economy development, land development and the politics of native lands. Outdoor pursuits such as walking and kayaking and a weekend in Vancouver will also be included. The dates are Friday 17 June to Monday 4 July 2016.
• The Cape Town ISC will focus on the theme of Art and Culture for Social Development.  Appealing to students interested in history, literature, music, sport, language, and politics, the course will involve trips to a slave lodge, Table Mountain, Cape Point, Robben Island and wine tasting in Franschoek. The dates are from Monday 25 July to Tuesday 9 August.

All ISC applications are open to York students of all disciplines and all levels of study, including postgraduates. No prior knowledge of the subjects is required.

Participation in all ISC programmes costs £2,200 per student. This includes international flights, tuition fees, in country transport, travel insurance, excursions, accommodation, and some meals. A deposit/acceptance fee of £200 will secure a place, and a payment plan will then be implemented to allow the participation cost to be spread out.

A number of full bursaries will be available for each of the 2016 Study Centres, distributed on demonstrated financial need.

James Maidstone, a Mathematics undergraduate on a 2014 ISC to Beijing, China, said: “To anyone thinking about doing something similar, I'd say if the opportunity arises, just go for it, even if you don’t know the language or you haven’t heard much about the country, because it’s a great experience and you’ll see something different."

Lineo Tsikoane,a postgraduatewho attended a 2015 ISC at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, said: “My two weeks in the US with the team taught me so much about myself. Not only was I one of the only three postgraduate students, but unlike almost everyone in the group, I didn’t know anyone prior to this experience. New York was amazing, but Mount Holyoke re-shaped my life! I learned the joy, discomfort and sheer surprise in travelling, learning in a different space, and how culture and life differs even if it’s on ‘jumper/jersey’ levels. I made friendships that I shall cherish and keep for life.”

Applications for 2016 are now open on E:Vision and will close on Friday 19 February at 1pm. Interviews will take place on Friday 26 February, Wednesday 2 and Friday 4 March, with a first pre-departure workshop on Wednesday 9 March 2016.

For further information, drop in sessions will be held at a Summer Opportunities Fair from 2 – 4pm on 27 January 2015 in Derwent Dining Room.

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