Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: To whom it may concern,

My name is Lauren Bishop. I am going into my third year of Concurrent Education majoring in Health Studies. I am applying to appeal my Winter 2017 semester at Queen's University. I would like to pursue an independent study abroad from February 2017 to June 2017 at VIA University College in Viborg, Denmark. VIA offers an exchange program entitled Social Entrepreneurship. Social Entrepreneurship is a four-month specific program offered to International students. It is a collaboration between VIA University's Social Studies and Teacher Education programs. The program's focus is innovation and creative thinking to find solutions to health and living conditions in this constantly evolving world. Instead of teaching strategies to use for problems we encounter now, Social Entrepreneurship focuses on creative strategies to find solutions to problems that we cannot predict for our future. During the four months in Denmark, as part of the Social Entrepreneurship program I will have the opportunity to experience four weeks of fieldwork in schools, institutions and organizations. I believe Scandinavian countries such as Denmark have some of the most innovative health and education practices. As a Con-Ed Health Studies student immersing myself in this culture would greatly add to my education at Queen's and future endeavours. During my time at VIA I will collaborate with peers to complete assignments based on the Social Entrepreneurship principles; finding creative solutions to changing problems. Not only will I be completing academic written work I will also be able to put what I have learned into practice by facilitating programs for target groups. The Cross Professional Element module will provide me with an opportunity to learn how to bring different people from different fields together to complete a project, using everyone's strengths to benefit the end goal. The Social Entrepreneurship program is an exchange program for International students. Being able to collaborate with people from around the world from different backgrounds, experiences and even languages will be an important path to my learning.

I originally wanted to go abroad to grow as a person. VIA University will not only allow me to grow as a person but I will be able to broaden my academic knowledge in my current area of study. Following my research I could not find a program that better fits into my current studies. While I am abroad I will be learning from some of the most innovative people. I will be able to bring back that knowledge and apply it to my learning at Queen's. Being abroad will help me become more independent and appreciative of the place we live but I also think it will open my eyes to health practices that may be beneficial to Canada and North America as a whole. I see Scandinavian countries as places that are willing to try new approaches. They may fail, but they may also work. The opportunity to go abroad will greatly influence my future studies at Queen's as well as contribute to my personal growth.

Thank you for your consideration,

Lauren Bishop