About Haida Gwaii
Semesters

HGI-application-process

Application
Process

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Natural Resource
Science

Community Resilience

Community
Resilience

Haida Gwaii Semesters

A microcosm of the world, Haida Gwaii is an unparalleled setting for students to learn first-hand about the complex social, cultural, political, ecological and economic issues facing communities around the globe, converging at a local scale.

We offer several distinct Haida Gwaii Semesters; these are intensive 14-week programs designed for senior undergraduate students from a wide range of universities and disciplines. Each semester provides a full course load, including four courses that run in successive three-week blocks and a fifth project-based seminar offered weekly throughout the entire term.

Course Accreditation

Our courses are accredited by the University of British Columbia. After successful completion of a semester, students will earn fifteen 300-level UBC credits that can be transferred back to their home universities. Each course provides an integrated, interdisciplinary perspective and has a carefully developed schedule to balance classroom instruction with a variety of field activities and guest talks.

“The Haida Gwaii Semester represents a tremendous opportunity for students to learn actively about a community, its surrounding forest, and their interdependence. UBC is pleased to be involved in this endeavour.” ~ Peter Marshall, Professor, UBC Faculty of Forestry, and member of the HGI Advisory Council

Our Learning Environment

Each program has a different classroom space, depending on which community the program operates in primarily. In addition to in-class lectures and course work, students will also explore the incredible natural environments, meet with local experts and knowledge holders, and become immersed in the Haida Gwaii community..

“It has been great to finally see the Ḵay Centre being used for one of the main purposes it was built. To provide educational opportunities and showcase to the world what Haida Gwaii has to offer.” ~ Jason Alsop, Haida Heritage Centre at Ḵay Llnagaay

Read more about what sets the Haida Gwaii Semesters apart from other types of university programming

  • "The Haida Gwaii Semester was truly life changing. I came away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of community, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and traditional knowledge. I made meaningful friendships, felt inspired each and everyday, and really felt I was my best self. The communities on Haida Gwaii deserve just as much, if not more admiration as the natural environment that they are built on. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences that I came away with because of the generosity of those that call Haida Gwaii home.”
    Rhiannon Moore
    Alumna
  • "Doing the Haida Gwaii Semester is one of the best things I have ever done. For me, it was the perfect place to live and learn. Combining life and learning was quite seamless and happened organically [. . . ] I still aim to return to the islands as soon as I can.”
    Tracey Proverbs
    Alumna
  • "I loved the program, the people I met, everything we learned, all the places we got to explore; this semester was the highlight of my university career!"
    Mariel McLeod
    Alumna