Connor P. Field School Ambassador
What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:
"There is an experience for everyone, and you won't regret your decision to go for one second. You are surrounded by like minded students and professors who are eager to learn. The environment is amazing and there are great excursions that really encourage critical thinking and learning."
CONNOR P.
Germany Field School participant
Duration of Field School: 2 weeks
Summer semester
Studying Criminal Justice and Public Policy
- What did a typical day in this Field School look like?
Most days started with classroom time as one large group of Canadian and German students. This class time initially consisted of learning about the Residential School system or the Holocaust, and how Canada and Germany commemorate these events. Eventually class time was used to create, research, and present our group projects centered around mostly Indigenous literature. Most days ended with a museum or walking tour. The remainder of the day was free time for everyone.
- What did you have to do for the course component of this Field School? How did it impact your degree?
The largest component of the course is a group discussion project concerning Indigenous literature. Each student was also required to create a land acknowledgement and five written reflection pieces concerning course experiences. These allowed me to expand my knowledge of Indigenous understanding of the Residential School system, while also allowing me to explore my own connections to the system. This will help me in pursuit of my degree by allowing me to better understand Indigenous-settler relations and the issues that persist.
- What did you think of your Field School coordinator?
Dr. Jade Ferguson was our coordinator and it was such a pleasure to have her as our coordinator. Not only did she plan the Field School so well, she was so encouraging in our pursuit of knowledge and growth. Whether you needed some words of encouragement, or guidance for the projects, she was always there to help.
- How many other U of G students did you travel with? And what did you think of travelling with other students?
There were 15 other University of Guelph students who joined the Field School. Each of them brought something different to the trip and meeting each of them was amazing. Travelling with other students was one of the highlights of the trip. It allowed me to meet people I might not have otherwise, and listen and learn from everybody's different pasts and experiences.
- How did you interact with the local community during your Field School?
Along with the students from UoG, we were joined by a number of students and Dr. Eva Gruber from the University of Konstanz who welcomed us very warmly. They showed us the city of Konstanz, helped us get settled, hung out with us during our free time, and even got together for a dinner all together. In addition we had days where we explored the local community, took in the local sights and traveled through Southern Germany.
- What influenced your decision to participate in a Field School opportunity?
Personally I love to travel, and the ability to travel and immerse myself within a community, while still engaging in education drew my attention. Further, the ability to do all that with like-minded individuals who were eager to learn was fantastic.
- What was the best thing that happened during your Field School? Explain.
To pick one thing as the best is hard. There were so many good moments that choosing one is hard. I think the best thing that happened during the trip was just meeting everyone. We all have different experiences that make us who we are, so meeting and learning from everyone made the trip what it was. Whether in class or out of class, it was the interactions with each other that were the best moments.
- Where was the coolest place you traveled to during your study abroad experience?
I'd say that taking the ferry from Konstanz to Meersburg for a day was pretty cool. Meersburg still resembles it's medieval past, so walking through the streets, the castle and the vineyards were really cool.
- What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make?
I wouldn't say that I had many adjustments to make in Germany. Other than some trouble understand the German language, everything went smoothly.
- What was your best learning moment?
I think the group project presentation was the best learning moment. Exploring Indigenous literature and it's ties to the Residential School system, especially how it can help heal trauma among survivors was critical to my learning.
- If you were to recommend this field school to your best friend, what would you say?
There is an experience for everyone, and you won't regret your decision to go for one second. You are surrounded by like minded students and professors who are eager to learn. The environment is amazing and there are great excursions that really encourage critical thinking and learning.
- Would it be helpful to learn another language for this Field School?
Learning German is definitely not a requirement, but it wouldn't hurt to know some basic words and phrases. Most people I interacted with understood English, but not everyone.
- How did you finance your study abroad experience?
I had money that I had saved up, in addition to some financial help from my parents and relatives that made my trip easier.
- What are your packing recommendations?
Definitely pack an umbrella and a rain jacket. We experienced a lot of rain while we were in Germany, so these definitely help. Other than that you should definitely pack the essentials for an extended trip to a foreign country such as clothes, toiletries, and shoes.
- Is there any other helpful information you would like to share with future study abroad participants?
Enjoy your time abroad and connect with your fellow students. The experience is so much better when you've developed friendships with the people that you're with.
