Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, UBC has made the decision to cancel in-person Global Seminar Programs for Summer 2022. Check back soon for information about virtual Global Seminar options for the Summer. Details about Summer 2023 programs will be posted in Fall 2022.
This course is led by UBC faculty member Henry Yu, History and Asian Canadian and Asian Migration Studies
Date: May 16-June 21, 2022 | Travel dates: May 30-June 17, 2022
Topic: The histories, cultures, foodways, heritage and geographies of Cantonese migration from Kaiping to North America and throughout South East Asia.
Locations visited: Due to the uncertainties of COVID-19 related travel restrictions, we will be planning for one of the travel options:
Funding: This is an Arts Research Abroad (ARA) funded program. The ARA program aims to ensure that upper-level international research courses are accessible to academically qualified students, and that scholarly preparation and aspiration rather than financial means are the deciding factors for student participation. Funded by a generous gift from donors, the Faculty of Arts, and Go Global, the ARA program sponsors advanced research-intensive courses involving international travel. 70% of the program cost will be offset for academically qualified students; and up to 100% of the cost may be offset for academically qualified students who demonstrate financial need (as determined by Enrolment Services).
Students can only be considered for one major International Learning Award throughout their degree e.g. ARA (Arts Research Abroad) funded Global Seminars, Undergraduate Research Conference.
This unique field study in Vancouver, Hong Kong, Kaiping (China) and Malaysia will allow you to explore multi-disciplinary perspectives on the histories, cultures, and geographies of Cantonese migration. These migration networks primarily stem from the “Szeyup” or “Four Counties” area of Canton (Guangdong) Province, the home region of many overseas Chinese who went to Canada in the 19th and 20th centuries. These Pacific migration networks include regions in Southeast Asia as well as North America. By visiting the different sites, you will develop an understanding of regional approaches to heritage conservation of historical, cultural, and natural landscapes in Hong Kong, Kaiping, Malaysia and Vancouver that will inform the development of their community-based research projects.
Key themes include an investigation of the historical context of Chinese migration to North America; forms and causes of segregation; the evolution of food practices and foodways; cultural heritage preservation; space activation and the changing livelihoods of residents and migrants over time and space. Particular to this class, students will be learning about these topics through the investigation of food and its role in culture and heritage. Field excursions in Vancouver’s Chinatown, Burnaby Village Museum, Hong Kong, Kaiping and Penang will complement in-class work.
You will conduct interdisciplinary academic research while exploring the histories, cultures, foodways, heritage and geographies of Cantonese migration from Kaiping to North America and throughout South East Asia. You will learn in traditional and non-traditional classroom settings locally and abroad to explore best practices in community-based research, and will be asked to compare international examples of heritage conservation efforts that may apply to similar initiatives in Vancouver’s Chinatown. You will be asked to present research findings at a community showcase based in Chinatown in July 2022.
Find out more about this program by viewing the short films below:
A typical day might include
Notable environmental conditions
Sensitive or potentially triggering content
Hostel and dorm-style accommodation
No pre-requisites. Priority for ACAM students, interviews and competitive selection for remaining students.
This course is a good option for Art History, Visual Arts, English, IR, History, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, and Land and Food Systems students.
Students outside of the UBC Vancouver Faculty of Arts are invited to participate in the program, but unfortunately not eligible for Arts Research Abroad funding.
January 27, 2022
*Please note that you can apply for up to a maximum of 2 Global Seminars*
ARA funding will offset 70%-100% of the CAD 3,800-4,600 in program fees and flight costs. Students are responsible for covering the cost of 3 credits of UBC tuition.
Students who do not receive ARA funding will be responsible for covering approximately CAD 3,800-4,600 + 3 credit tuition and flight.
The final fee depends on the number of students in the program. Students do not pay the Go Global fee when applying to a Global Seminar. The Go Global fee ($415) is built into the program fee and is payable upon acceptance to the program.
To withdraw from your program, you must contact Go Global by email to request a withdrawal. You will not be charged until you officially accept your spot in the program. Refunds cannot be issued after the program fee is charged to your SSC account.
In the case of withdrawal, Go Global Award funding must be returned in full.
If you have questions, please connect with your Go Global advisor or email Go Global at go.global@ubc.ca.
UBC is committed to preparing students for safe and successful international experiences. In order to achieve this, any student participating in a Go Global Program must complete the following:
Failure to successfully complete these and any other requirements may result in withdrawal from the Go Global Program.
If you are considering applying for a Go Global program and identify with having a disability or pre-existing health condition (mental or physical) which could impact your participation, or if you require academic accommodation, you can contact the following offices and meet with an Accessibility Advisor before the start of your program:
The Centre for Accessibility (Vancouver) 604 822-5844
Disability Resource Centre (Okanagan) 250 807-8053
Until Fri, Feb 4, Go Global is offering virtual drop-in advising through Zoom during the times below:
Virtual drop-in hours are available until Fri, Feb 4 from 9:30 to 11:30 am PST and from 1 to 3:30 pm PST through Zoom.
