Frequently Asked Questions

I am not a student at Queen’s University. May I still apply?
Yes. The Queen’s-Blyth Worldwide Sessions are open to students across Canada. Students enrolled in university or students who have graduated can apply.
Do I need a passport?
Students will need a passport for all Sessions. Please note that you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months following the return date of your trip. If you are not a Canadian citizen, or do not have a Canadian passport, please inform the Blyth office as soon as possible.
Do I need a visa?
Students are responsible for arranging their own visas, and for ensuring that they meet the eligibility criteria. Canadian students travelling to Australia will require, and are responsible for obtaining, an electronic visa known as an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). If you are not a Canadian citizen, please contact the Blyth office as soon as possible, and we will be able to advise if a visa is required or not.
Will I have any free time?
Yes, absolutely. Students will have free time outside of classes and course-specific field excursions for independent study and leisure activities.
Is there a curfew?
There is no curfew, however students are expected to attend every class and behave appropriately for all other guests to enjoy their vacations. Participating students are required to obey Queen’s-Blyth Worldwide regulations and adhere to the Queen’s University Student Code of Conduct (http://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senateandtrustees/Code_of_Conduct_final_2008.pdf).
Who will the staff be on my Session?
On your Session there will be a Program Manager, an Activity Coordinator and one instructor per course. Our staff teams will be introducing themselves, via our website, in the weeks prior to departure. Our staff members are available at all times to you for advice and support. All excursions will include staff members.
What will the accommodations be like?
The majority of our student accommodations are double and triple occupancy depending on location and student roommate requests. In tropical settings, our hotels are equipped with air-conditioning. All hotels are centrally located, with areas available for studying and writing. All of our hotels and residences offer comfort and safety.
May I room with a friend?
Yes, you may room with your friend. Please include your request on the Personal Information Form sent to you in this welcome package. Please ensure that your friend makes the same request on his/her Personal Information Form.
Roommate requests are always taken into account when assigning accommodations, however they are not guaranteed. The deadline for requests is April 1, 2012.
May I visit friends or relatives and stay with them overnight?
Students may visit with friends and family while abroad during their free time. The student will be required to let their Program Manager know if they are staying anywhere overnight for logistical and fire safety reasons.
How can my family reach me while we are away?
Before departure, you will be given an information sheet that includes the phone numbers of all our hotels and residences. The majority of our Sessions will also have Internet available for e-mailing purposes.
When are classes taught, and what is the class size?
Classes will generally be taught Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., but this will be subject to operational requirements. There will generally be 9 teaching periods in addition to, field excursion(s), study time and an exam. Classes will have a maximum of 25 students. In some locations, due to the trip schedule, classes will run on different days, due to operational reasons.
Do I need to bring or buy books for the Session?
This depends on the course you are taking. Instructors will inform you of any book requirements via email prior to departure.
When will I receive my marks?
The official grade release date for summer term courses at Queen’s is June 1st 2012 and marks from Queen’s-Blyth courses will be released within a month of return. The website of the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) will announce any changes to when marks are available, at: http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/currentstudents/marks.html.
Students will be able to access their grades and unofficial transcripts in SOLUS, the online student centre. For non-Queen’s students the OUR will not automatically send transcripts. It will be up to each student to order an official transcript ($15 plus courier charges) and have it sent to their home university for credit transfer. Non-Queen’s students can order transcripts in a number of ways outlined at http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/currentstudents/transcripts/howtoorder.html. Queen’s students will be able to access SOLUS, see grades, and order transcripts as normal.
Are there computers available? Can I bring my laptop?
A small number of computers will be available at all Session locations and all students have access to them. Many of the hotels in which we are staying also have a few public terminals with Internet access, although a fee may be charged by the hotel for their use. In addition Internet access will be provided in the majority of our destinations where possible. We anticipate that most students will bring their own laptops. If you do bring your own laptop, you may wish to insure it in case it is lost or stolen.
Where do your instructors come from and who hires them?
Queen’s University is solely responsible for hiring instructors on the Queen’s-Blyth International Studies Program. Only fully qualified candidates such as full-time or part-time university faculty members, recently retired faculty members still actively engaged in their disciplines, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral candidates in the final stages of their program will be appointed. Appointees, who come from Queen’s and other nationally and internationally recognized institutions, have been assessed and approved by the relevant department at Queen’s, and appointed by Queen’s University.
Can I swap Sessions or courses?
Yes, you may swap Session, prior to departure only and subject to availability. You will be charged or refunded the difference in the Session cost. You may switch from one course to another offered in the same country, space permitting, up to 2 days after departure. Students should consult with their home university regarding course charges and possible implications to their degree program and letter of permission.
Can I request special meals if I have a dietary restriction?
Yes, we can cater to different diets in many of our locations. You must notify us of any dietary restrictions in the Personal Information Form provided in this package. We will forward this information to the accommodation providers.
Can I return home at a later date?
Yes! We call this Freestyle Travel. Please let us know the date you would like to return and the city from which you would like to fly from. There is a surcharge for this in Costa Rica and Australia/New Zealand. The deadline for ‘Freestyle Travel’ notifications is the 1st February. If you register after this date, you must let us know upon registration. All changes are subject to availability.
What if I don’t want to travel with the group? Can I get credit for the airfare?
Yes. You can choose to book your own flights and travel independently to the Session start point however, you must advise us upon registration. You will receive a credit. The amount varies between Sessions.
What type of currency should I bring, and in what form?
We suggest you bring with you a bit of local currency to start the trip and then a debit card, linked to a chequing account of a major bank, for the remainder. Some students bring credit cards with them as well. Traveller's cheques can be brought but please remember that in some locations it will be difficult to change them and, therefore, they should be brought only as a backup.
How much spending money should I bring?
This also varies by location and your personal needs. Generally, we recommend at least $150 CAD a week. You will need money for your all lunches, some dinners, snacks, laundry and other incidentals. This amount depends on your own personal spending habits. Please refer to your Session calendar to see which meals are included when.
What is the luggage weight allowance?
Luggage allowances vary depending on the carrier. In general, please pack lightly! You are typically permitted 1 checked bag with a maximum weight ranging from 15 kilograms to 23 kilograms. Excess baggage can be extremely expensive, is at your own cost, and some internal carriers will not accept any luggage that is over their weight limit! You will be informed of the luggage restrictions for your specific carrier closer to the departure date.
What are optional excursions?
Optional excursions are non-academic trips made while on location which are not covered by the Session cost. We have chosen excursions that we believe will enhance your experience. These can be found on our website. All Sessions offer a number of included excursions as well.
Will I receive any further information prior to departure?
Yes. Each student will receive a Queen's-Blyth Worldwide Student Handbook 4-6 weeks prior to departure with further details on the location and general travel information. It will also include a detailed calendar of the Session(s) in which you are participating. You will receive further academic information from Queen’s. In addition there will be compulsory Orientation and Staff Introduction videos published on the qbw.ca website that all students must watch, and a pre-departure Question & Answer webinar that students can attend.