Laura G. Field School Ambassador

What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:

"I mean I walked and pet a reindeer, how many people can say they have done that? You will make so many new friends, and you will learn so much about Indigenous folks around the world, as well as so much about yourself."

LAURA G.

Sweden Field School participant
Duration of Field School: 2.5 weeks
Summer semester
Studying Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice

1. What did a typical day in this Field School look like?

2. What did you have to do for the course component of this Field School? How did it impact your degree?

The course component of this field school consisted of 5 pre-departure seminars, with focus on Sami-related readings. As well as a pre-departure and post-trip journal, and a final project which could be either a written essay, or a digital story. A portion of the course component was for presentations we did, as well as participation within the course. I think having the opportunity to get to know Indigenous Peoples across the ocean really reaffirmed that the BIESP program is what I want to continue to pursue.

3. How did your Field School Coordinator support your experience?

As the trip is Indigenous based, and focuses quite a bit on the lives and potential hardships of being Indigenous, we had the professor Kim Anderson, and an Elder from Six Nations on the trip. Having an elder on the trip made me feel more supported, and I had someone to talk to if needed. Anderson was very accommodating, and understood that due dates are difficult for some, she truly did her best to ensure that each student had the best experience that they could.

4. How many other U of G students did you travel with? And what did you think of travelling with other students?

The trip consisted of 9 other students. Traveling with other students really enhanced the trip, we each got to learn and contribute to each others learning. Especially since there were such diverse programs across the students, we each had different interests, which helped us to get a more rounded, holistic learning experience. I think that the 5 pre-departure seminars we had also helped to aid the initial awkwardness of meeting people in class, which allowed us to bond a bit easier.

5. How did you interact with the local community during your Field School?

In Stockholm, we interacted with the members of the Stockholm Sami Association, we exchanged knowledge, and crafts with them, and got to know them through outings together. We visited museums and had many meals together. In Lulea, we did similar things with the Sami there. The goal of this, was to simply get to know them as people, as Sami, and to build relationships. In Jokkmokk, we visited more Sami. We made bread with a Sami grandmother and visited reindeer herders. We visited Sami shops, as well as Sami schools. In Tallberg, we visited a reindeer herder and his two kids, with focus on land-based work, with an end goal of building a traditional Sami house known as a Goahte. This trip lives up to its title, we had so many conversations, and formed so many relationships. It is an intimate trip, filled with bonding and getting to know others.

6. What influenced your decision to participate in a Field School opportunity?

As an Indigenous student, this field school really stuck out to me. Having a field school that is Indigenous was never something I thought I would see, or get to experience, I just knew that I had to apply. The funding that GSO gives to Indigenous students to study abroad also influenced my decision in applying; I would never be able to afford a trip like this without funding. I also had an upper year friend who had gone on the trip the year before, and she had talked it up so much, that I knew this was an opportunity I couldn't miss out on.

7. What was the best thing that happened during your Field School? Explain. 

The best thing that happened during the Field School was getting to make lifelong connections with both Sami in Sweden, as well as the other students on the trip. When you get to spend so much time with people over 18 days, you really do develop a deep relationship with them. I left Sweden with so many new relationships, and friends that I would have never made without this trip.

8. Where was the coolest place you traveled to during your study abroad experience?  

The coolest place we traveled to during the Sweden Field School was Jokkmokk. Jokkmokk is a meeting place for Sami all over Sapmi. It was so cool to experience a town that had so many Indigenous shops and people, something that we dont often see in Canada unless visiting a reserve.

9. What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make? 

One big cultural adaptation was having coffee at most meals and get togethers. Coffee is often consumed just at breakfast in Canada, but over there it is drunk throughout the day.

10. What was your best learning moment?

I think my best learning moment was when we were in Tallberg, and doing land-based work. Growing up separated from the land-based aspects of my culture, I was so excited to be getting to work on the land. I feel like you learn so much from being on the land, and you truly begin to appreciate every aspect of mother nature, and what she provides. It was also a great way to learn how to teach yourself how to do things, and to be okay with making mistakes.

11. If you were to recommend this field school to your best friend, what would you say?

This is a life-changing experience, you learn so much about Sami life, and you truly get to have an experience that no one else will have (minus the other people who have been on the trip). I mean I walked and pet a reindeer, how many people can say they have done that? You will make so many new friends, and you will learn so much about Indigenous folks around the world, as well as so much about yourself. 100% you should go on this trip.

12. Would it be helpful to learn another language for this Field School? 

I wish I would have known how to say a few more words in Swedish, and a few more Sami words. Though I don't necessarily think you need to try to learn these languages, it is always polite and respectful to know how to say words like hello, goodbye and thank you.

13. How did you finance your study abroad experience?

Applying for grants and scholarships is the best way to finance your study abroad experience. I was able to get funding from Global Skills Opportunities (GSO) as well as the University of Guelph. I know that applying to grants and scholarships can be daunting, and time consuming, but I always think of it like "If you get this grant/scholarship/etc, you will have spent less than an hour on the application, and gotten x amount of money, which is usually more than you get paid for working a job for that amount of time."

14. What are your packing recommendations?

Do pack clothes that are easy to layer; weather is unpredictable and its best to be able to layer up than to be too cold or too hot. Do bring a coat; better to have one and not need it than need one and not have it. Do bring more socks than you think you need If you are going on a field school; ask the prof if and when you'll be able to do laundry. Do NOT try to pack for two consecutive trips in a carry on (I packed for my summer in Alberta and my trip to Sweden in one bag, NOT a good idea). Do NOT stuff your bag full on the way there; you will buy things, and you will need space to put them in your bag.

15. Is there any other helpful information you would like to share with future study abroad participants?  

ALWAYS double check your passport several months before you plan on leaving. Your passport essentially expires six months before it says it does. If you are traveling in May 2024, and your passport expires August 2024, go get it renewed.

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