About the Study Tour

Join us on an exciting 17-day academic tour of Turkey and Greece, focusing on Greco-Roman sites related to the journeys of Paul and the Seven Churches of Revelation. With stops in Troy, Athens, Corinth and Delphi, the trip will also be of interest to students of Classical Greece. We hope you'll come and enrich your reading of the New Testament as you walk in the footsteps of the apostles along with other Briercrest professors, students, and alumni.

The trip will be hosted by Briercrest professors Dr. Kevin Daugherty and Dr. David Miller, and will feature six days of teaching by Dr. Mark Wilson, director of the Seven Churches Network in Izmir, Turkey, and author of Biblical Turkey: A Guide to Jewish and Christian Sites of Asia Minor (Istanbul: Ege Yayinlari, 2010). Accommodation, travel, and guiding in Turkey and Greece will be organized by Tutku Tours. International airfare and travel insurance will be organized by Menno Travel.

Students may take the tour as part of a credit course in the college or the seminary.

Click here for the Study Tour intinerary

For more information, contact David Miller.

When is the Tour?

April 28 - May 14, 2013

Who can go?

The tour is open to all Briercrest College and Seminary students in good standing as well as friends and alumni of Briercrest.

How much will it cost?

At present, we estimate that the tour will cost between C$4,000-4,500. This will include airfare, accommodation in three and four-star hotels, and all tour-related transportation. It will also include breakfast and dinner, gratuities, and site entrance fees. Participants will be responsible for a $65 Turkish Visa Fee (to be paid upon arrival), travel medical insurance (required), most lunches, and any other personal items. The final cost will depend on the strength of the Canadian dollar, final airfare prices, and the number of participants. The single room supplement is US$790 for those who wish to stay in a private room.

When do I need to decide about coming?

A non-refundable $1000 down-payment will be required by September 30, 2012.

How do I sign up?

Click here to fill out an application form for the Turkey & Greece Study Tour.

Briercrest College and St. Petersburg Christian University (SPbCU), located in St. Petersburg, Russia, have an agreement that allows Briercrest College students to study from August - December at SPbCU.  This study abroad program consists of one semester of organized study outside of Briercrest College for students who are currently enrolled in a degree program at Briercrest College.  Students would earn Briercrest credit while studying on the SPbCU campus with their local professors and living in the SPbCU dorms. 

Briercrest College is excited about this opportunity for our students.  Exchange and study abroad programs are becoming more popular for good reason.  Studying overseas can enhance a student's education in number of ways.  For many, stepping outside of their own culture opens up new learning of several different sorts, not least in providing the ability and opportunity to see their own culture from a different perspective. Being able to experience another culture not merely as a tourist but over an extended period of time can allow students to understand and to appreciate another culture in a more profound way.  In this particular case, students will have the rich opportunity to study Russian art, history, literature, etc., in Russia and from people who know the context well.

Note: Program is subject to change based on availability, student enrollment, etc.

If you are interested in this program, the following information is designed for you:

1. Eligibility Criteria

• Must be officially accepted into a Briercrest College BA program; consideration may be given to AA program students on a case-by-case basis.
• Must have successfully completed a minimum of two semesters of residency at Briercrest.
• Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 and a consistent record of academic responsibility.
• Must have been a full-time on-campus student in either the Fall or Winter Semester for the 2012/2013 academic year.
• Must be in good financial standing with Briercrest and demonstrate ability to pay for the program.
• Must be in good standing with Student Development.

2. Process for Application and Approval

• Faculty letter of reference
• Student Development/Student Housing letter of reference. For dorm students this should be the student's Residence Director.
• Financial Director's report on financial standing.
• Academic Adviser's report on
  - Academic record
  - Applicability of SPCU courses to student's program. 
• Submission of a personal statement about why you wish to participate (see application form)

3. Potential Courses

The following academic courses are currently available for a total load of up to 12 credit hours:

RUS 100 Introduction to Russian, 3 credit hours
ENG 201 Russian Literature in Translation, 3 credit hours
HIS 271 Russian History, 3 credit hours
FIN 256 Russian Art, 3 credit hours

*Other courses may be offered, subject to availability.

Each 3 credit hour class indicates three hours of class lecture and an average of 6 hours of homework per week. Each class is taught by a qualified English-speaking instructor.

4. Finances

The cost of the program is as follows.  Please note some costs listed below are only an estimate.

• Flight + travel insurance - $2000 (estimate) *may increase due to transportation costs
• Health Insurance - $280 (estimate)
• Study Abroad Fee (tuition, housing on campus, lunches, etc.) -$4500 to $5500
• Student Visa - $75 (for Canadian citizens)
• Textbooks - $300 (estimate)
• Monthly living expenses (meals, Internet, entertainment) - $450 x 4 months = $1800
• Optional trips within Russia - varies (e.g. extra trip in 2010 to Volgograd for 4 days cost $400-450 and included a plane ticket, train tickets, food, accommodations, and the driver.)

5. Other requirements

• Passport valid until June 2014    http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/form.aspx?lang=eng&region=international (information on Canadian passports at this web page)
• Health Insurance - can be purchased through our travel company (more details to come!)

6. Dates (approximate)

• Departure - August 20, 2013
• Return - December 20, 2013

Application Deadline:    March 1, 2013 at 5pm.
If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please contact academicservices@briercrest.ca to ensure this opportunity fits with your program. Application forms are available in Academic Services.

After we have received your application, you may be contacted for an interview with the selection committee.