Frequently Asked Questions

All costs are included in the program fee. The course fee covers all expenses so only a small amount of spending money is required for souvenirs, extra snacks etc.

Will the students be fully supervised?

Yes, including all excursions.

How much free time will students have?

This is a busy program! During the first 10 days students will be working hard getting familiar with the terminology and generally coming "up to speed" with both the academic side of the course and the scuba component. During the final 10 days there is more free time available for students to work on projects or "chill" with the dinoflagellates!

How are students graded?

Participants receive grades for a series of labs, short quizzes, an independent study project/presentation and a final comprehensive written exam. Students tend to do well in the program because of the hands-on nature of the exercises. There is also a multiple choice exam as part of the scuba certification program.

What are the rooming arrangements?

Students and teachers are housed in one of the spacious residences at Lester B. Pearson College. There are three or four students per room. Males and females are in separate rooms.

Is there a curfew?

Yes! Since the program places both mental and physical demands on students we set reasonable limits for "quiet time" in the residence and "lights out". Everyone (including the teachers) needs to be bright-eyed in the morning to rise to the new challenges of the day.

What emergency medical facilities are available?

Emergency medical care is available in Colwood, a small village close to the school. 24 hour emergency service is available at Victoria General Hospital 20 minutes away. Provincial medical insurance is sufficient for most Canadian participants. International students should ensure that sufficient out-of-country coverage is obtained prior to arrival.

How can the students be contacted?

Parents and guardians are supplied with the phone number for the residence where the students will stay. In addition, a 24 hour answering service/paging system is available in the event of an emergency.

Is there anything else we should know?

YES. Diving is a "lung friendly" activity and therefore we request that students refrain from smoking for the duration of the program. We suggest smokers take this into consideration when making their decision to participate in the course.

Finally, please review the Important Information page for additional details and information you should know about the program.