BIODAQUA - International Student Exchange Program

How about looking at the bigger picture…
Biodiversity, fisheries decline, health of marine ecosystems, development of sustainable aquaculture, these are global issues. Increasingly, today's graduates are expected to have an international understanding of the threats and issues facing the marine environment.

BIODAQUA is an international program funded jointly by HRDC Canada and the European Commission for Education and Culture. The aim of BIODAQUA is to promote an international and multidisciplinary approach to the study of marine and freshwater aquatic biodiversity.

How will we accomplish this?

By providing Canadian students with the opportunity to study, conduct research or work in the European Union through a student exchange program.

By developing an international joint curriculum at undergraduate and post-graduate levels between the participating Canadian and European Universities.

Canadian Project Leader:: The Huntsman Marine Science Centre
Canadian University Partners:: Dalhousie University
http://www.dal.ca
BIODAQUA representative:: Dr. Bruce Hatcher
University of Guelph
http://www.uoguelph.ca
BIODAQUA representative:: Dr. James Ballantyne
University of New Brunswick, Saint John
http://www.unbsj.ca
BIODAQUA representative:: Dr. Thierry Chopin
St. Mary's University
http://www.stmarys.ca
BIODAQUA representative:: Dr. David Richardson

Who can go?

Undergraduate and graduate students currently attending or accepted at any of the participating universities may apply. Undergraduate students would typically be accepted for exchange during their third or fourth year of study. Appropriate fields of study could be biology, marine science, hydrobiology, fisheries, aquaculture, ecology, conservation…

How much will it cost?

It shouldn't cost you any more than your current studies. You will still be a registered student at your own university. You pay your regular tuition at home, even though the tuition for a foreign student at the European university would usually be thousands of dollars more. This is because your university and the European partners have agreed to exchange students and waive the international student fees. You will be responsible for living expenses (rent, food, etc.) as you would be at home but the costs associated with the exchange (airfare, visas, etc.) will be covered by BIODAQUA.

How long is the exchange?

The minimum exchange period will be for 3-week field courses, and maximum for 1 academic year. To maximize the use of funds preference will be given to students interested in participating in an exchange of 12 weeks (one semester) or more.

What would I do on the exchange?

You have several options on what to do during your exchange. You can attend courses at the host university, which would then count towards your degree at your home university. You can conduct a research project, perhaps collecting data to be analyzed when you return to your home university. If you are interested in gaining international work experience, you might be able to do a work placement at one of the European partner universities or organizations. Some combination of these options can also be considered.

Where can I go?

The European partner universities are:

Greece:: Agricultural University of Athens
Ireland:: University College Cork
Belgium:: Ghent University
Italy:: University of Ancona

There are two partner research organizations where it may be possible to conduct research or receive a work placement:

Greece:: Institute of Marine Biology of Crete
Ireland:: AquaTT

What if I don't speak the language?

You do need to be competent in the official language of your host university. Your home university will provide language training but you must apply to the program well in advance of your actual exchange to ensure adequate time to develop language skills.

Yes, I want to go on exchange…what do I do now?

Your first step should be to talk to your professors and the BIODAQUA representative at your university. Based on your interests they can help you to decide which country and what coursework or project would be most beneficial to you.

Next, you should complete the application form ( [PDF, 194KB] / [DOC, 37KB]). When you have completed the application print off two copies, give one copy to the BIODAQUA representative at your university and keep the other copy for your own reference. The application can then be submitted by e-mail, mailed or faxed to the project director at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre. You must also submit a current CV with your application, one copy to your BIODAQUA representative and one to the Huntsman.

While you wait for your application to be processed you should start making preparations. Some things, like applying for and receiving a passport, setting up medical insurance, etc., take a long time and the procedures can be started before selections of students for exchange are finalized. Your university has an International Learning Department with information for students wishing to study abroad. You can talk to someone in this department or look at the information on your university website to learn how to prepare for an international exchange. Likewise, the European universities have an International Students Department who will help you settle in to your host country when you arrive.

For more information on this program contact:

Dr. Benjamin S. Forward
E-mail: bforward@huntsmanmarine.ca
Phone: (506) 529-1260
Fax: (506) 529-1212

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