Germany Field School 2025
Cross-Cultural Social Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Field School
How can we make meaningful change in our systems? And what can we learn from changemakers working around the world, in different places, spaces and ethos? This field school will embed you in a vibrant, interactive learning experience focused on the social economy, social enterprise and social innovation - thinking and acting locally and internationally. You will be working directly with both German and Quebecois students to develop your social entrepreneurship competencies, including cross-cultural communication and teamwork, connect with current changemakers and social entrepreneurs and experience a different social economic milieu.
The field school will take you to Rosenheim Germany, at the base of the Bavarian Alps for a week. Students will work with German social entrepreneurs to develop their own capacities, explore what it means to create meaningful change via social entrepreneurship and document the changemaking process with a professional podcaster. Students will also have the opportunity to explore life in the Bavarian Alps, with trips planned to Innsburk and Salzburg with our German and Quebecois colleagues. This field school will offer meaningful opportunities to connect with other changemakers globally and think differently about your own social entrepreneurship work.
This program is based on experiential learning. Participants will have assignments to complete before departure and while on the field school, however the goal is for participants to learn by engaging meaningfully with the programming and opportunities our Rosenheim colleagues have designed. If you are serious about an immersive learning experience, this program is for you.
Program Dates
Block Week classes at MRU: April 28 - May 1, 2025
Program Departure Date: May 3, 2025
Program Conclustion Date: May 12, 2025
Final Assignments Due: May 23 - 30, 2025
Course Information
SINV 3730: Special Topics in Social Innovation (GNED cluster 3, Tier 3) - 3 credits
This course provides an examination of selected topics in social innovation and those relevant to the values-driven business, the public sector and the social economy - community, volunteer and nonprofit organizations. As this is a variable content course, the specific topic will be announced and advertised each time it is offered. Students may not receive credit for this course more than once.
Interested students should confirm their ability to use the course for credits with their academic advisor prior to joining the field school.
Information Sessions
Interested students are invited to attend a scheduled information session
- Thursday, October 31, 12-1 pm, Slate Innovation Lab (EB 3121)
- Wednesday, November 6, 12-1 pm, Trico Changemakers Studio (EB 3013)
Application Deadline
November 7, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
Applications should be submitted online as per the application process outlined below.
Successful applicants will be notified by November 18, 2024 and will need to pay the initial deposit of $500 by November 25, 2024 in order to confirm their spot in the program. Failure to make the initial deposit by this deadline will result in the spot being given to another student.
Application Process
Before applying for a MRU field school, students should ensure they have familiarized themselves with the general field school requirements and policies.
To apply for the Germany Field School, submit the following by the application deadline:
- Field School Application Form (with all requested and supporting documents attached in PDF format);
- A copy of your unofficial MRU transcript (available on MyMRU)
- A one-page letter of intent explaining why you would like to be part of the Germany Field School and how you believe it will enhance your education and career goals. Please reference your willingness to explore cultures you aren't familiar with, and commitment to collaborating with your fellow travelers. This letter of intent should be uploaded to the online application form.
Program Costs
Germany Field School Program Fees - $2,751.00
The Germany field school program fees include:
- Accommodations;
- Some local transportation in Germany;
- All course-related programming, excursions, tours, visits and activities;
- Contingency fee;
- Faculty expenses & MRU administration fees.
Program fees are payable according to the payment deadlines outlined in the following table. Instructions on paying program fees will be provided to particpants at time of acceptance.
| 1st deposit* | November 25, 2024 | $500 |
| 2nd deposit | January 30, 2025 | $1126 |
| 3rd deposit | March 20, 2025 |
$1125 |
*Initial program deposit is non-refundable and secures the participant's place in the program. Possibility of refund of subsequent deposits due to withdrawal from the program will be assessed and determined at the time of withdrawal according to the field school refund policy.
MRU Tuition & General Fees
MRU tuition and fees for SINV 3730 (3 credits) are in addition to the program fees and will be assessed to each student's account in April 2025. They are payable to MRU by the spring 2025 fee payment deadline.
Additional Student Expenses
Students are responsible for all additional expenses not included in the program fees such as: airfare, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, some ground transportation, meals & incidentals, passport, ETIAS authorization (if required), Out of Country Travel Health and Medical Insurance, communication costs, personal spending, emergency funds, etc.
Financial Assistance
Germany field school participants will receive a $1,500 grant from the MRU International Mobility Award to use towards the costs associated with the field school.
Further information about this funding, other possible grants and student loan funding for field schools can be obtained at the information sessions or by contacting MRU International Education.
Contact Information
For more information please contact:
Katharine McGowan - Field School Instructor (kmcgowan@mtroyal.ca)
Trinda Guillet - International Education (tguillet@mtroyal.ca)