- This event has passed.
NATO Field School ’23 Deadline
January 31, 2023
The NATO Field School and Simulation Program is an intensive political science experience that combines coursework with experiential learning.
The NATO Field School and Simulation Program is open to students from all NATO nations. The program gives students the to observe professionals and experts in their working environment and be immersed in the decisions that political, diplomatic, and military personnel face. This includes visiting embedded experts from the Department of National Defence, Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO and academia, as well as high-level briefings at NATO HQ, SHAPE, EU Military Staff HQ, European External Action Services and NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence and the Canadian Delegation to the European Union. Like a dynamic practicum or apprenticeship, the NATO Field School prepares you for entry-level employment in foreign affairs, defence policy and various national and international security sectors, as well as international NGO sectors.
WHAT YOU’LL STUDY
The NATO Field School is a full-time academic program. Field school undergraduate students take POL 484, worth 12 SFU units. Graduate students take POL 880, worth 6 SFU units.Students will learn:
- Policy making and policy implementation in defence, international security and peace operations from the academic, military and policy maker’s perspective
- How Canadian Armed Forces, foreign and defence policy makers, diplomats and communicators define and execute their work
- How officers, international civil servants and organizational staff conduct simulation exercises to generate and improve skills
- How sovereign states pursue their interests, as well as international cooperation in complex and diversified settings like NATO.
- How to work in teams inside a multilateral framework
- The Whole-of-Government and the Comprehensive approach in crisis resolution
- How to prepare decision documents for senior political decision makers
- How to prepare a press statement and conduct a press conference
ELIGIBILITY
- UNDERGRADUATE
- Required
-
-
- Must be 19 years of age or older prior to departure
- Canadian citizen or NATO-nation passport holder
- Recommended
- Have completed a minimum of 60/120 units or equivalent unit load (e.g. 50%) of post-secondary courses at the time of application.
- Have a minimum 3.0 CGPA on a 4.33 scale (~73% average with a 50% passing grade)
-
- GRADUATE
- Must be 19 years of age or older prior to departure
- Canadian citizen or NATO-nation passport holder
- Must be enrolled or accepted to be enrolled in a graduate program in Fall 2023
- Must either have a minimum 3.33 CGPA within a currently enrolled graduate program OR if currently applying for a graduate program, then undergraduate student eligibility requirements will be considered (see undergraduate student eligibility requirements above, including the submission of an undergraduate transcript). Proof of program acceptance and/or application will be required as an additional document.
HOW TO APPLY AS A NON-SFU STUDENT
- Qualified students from institutions other than SFU are eligible to participate. Visiting students must arrange for transfer credit with their home institution. In addition to the NATO Field School application, you will need to complete a Visiting Student for Field School Application, which is embedded within the program application. Both applications must be complete and submitted by January 31. If you have any questions about the application procedure for visiting students, please contact International Services for Students at fieldschools@sfu.ca
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Academic Standing
- Priority will be given to declared or intended majors/minors in political science or related disciplines in international studies, international relations, criminology, history, public policy, philosophy, linguistics, business and communications
- A portion of spots will be reserved for SFU degree-seeking students
- Demonstrated preparedness and maturity (cognitive and social) for this intensive and demanding program
- The committee reserves the right to request an interview as part of the selection process
- Final consent of the field school director
