Program overview |
About the course
This course focuses on the multiculturalism of contemporary Vienna, the former Habsburg imperial capital located at the crossroads of East, West, and South Europe. Students will learn about the long history of multiculturalism as feature of imperial life. They will consider how multiculturalism shapes post-imperial political struggles and how it comes to define the lived experience of marginalized peoples in contemporary Vienna. 
Through scholarly texts, literature, film, and essays about Black, Jewish, migrant, and queer life in Vienna, students will learn about how multiculturalism serves as a major lens for marginalized populations to talk about their lived experience today. The study trip will permit students to visit the major sites for cultural contact and exchange in Vienna’s multicultural topography: pedestrian zones, public parks, cultural monuments and centres, cafés, universities, the central cemetery, the Nasch market, the Afro-Asian Institute, and faith organizations. Each student will complete a research project based on personal ethnographic description of one of the sites and use this description to formulate a methodology in order to examine a cultural text set in this site. Students will research the history of sites in the city and university archives, and will prepare research projects to be presented at the German Studies Undergraduate Research Showcase co-hosted annually by UBC, UW Seattle, and UVic. They will also have the opportunity to publish their work in the UBC undergraduate German studies research journal Augenblick.
Program Safety
All travel and program activities involve risk of harm to participants. Go Global and Seminar program leads take reasonable precautions to reduce risks. However, not all harms can be anticipated or prevented.
While travelling on UBC programs, students have a responsibility for their own safety and the safety of the group.
Some common issues for travellers include:
- Illness and injuries (e.g. respiratory illnesses, flu, food poisoning, sprained ankles, etc.)
- Fatigue and heat exhaustion
- Violence like robbery, or gender- and race-based harassment or attacks, especially in urban areas
- Traffic accidents
- Lost documents (passports, credit cards, etc.)
Before Applying:
- Get to know the places you will be travelling by using available resources like Global Affairs Canada travel reports.
- Consider your own mental and physical health alongside what you know about the conditions during the program (e.g. how physical is the program? What are the living conditions? What can I do to prepare myself?)
Before departure:
- Participate in all pre-departure activities offered by Go Global and your program teaching team to learn about the program and ways to prevent and respond to incidents.
- Ensure you have adequate travel medical insurance that will cover you in the location and for the duration of your trip.
- Be aware of how to use your travel medical insurance, if you need it, and where to access medical care or other emergency assistance in the locations where you will be travelling.
During the program:
- If you don’t feel safe, say something! Let your program leads know how you feel, or about incidents that occur. Don’t hesitate to contact Go Global during your program.
- Know your own needs: be aware of your own mental and physical health and your limits. Communicate with your program lead and group about making adjustments, as needed.
Public health: COVID-19 and other diseases
Students and faculty are required to comply with the entry requirements of the host country, regulations of transportation carriers, and any local public health orders. These rules might require vaccinations (e.g. for COVID-19, yellow fever, etc.) to enter the country or to participate in certain program activities. Some places may require masking, testing or isolation in various circumstances. It is your responsibility to research and comply with any requirements.
COVID-19 and other infections can spread easily in a group setting. Most programs involve shared accommodations. Unless required by local public health authorities, isolation for those infected during the program may not be possible.
Review local requirements before applying and before departure. Check the Global Affairs Canada Advisory under Entry Requirements for your Global Seminar destination to learn more. Keep in mind that program conditions can vary and rules can change before or during your trip.