Thompson Rivers University

Attend a public research university located in stunning British Columbia with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Thompson Rivers University campus is on the traditional lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc and incorporates First Nations learning in the classroom and out in the field. Kamloops is 3.5 hours from Vancouver, and a day’s drive from Calgary, Prince George, Victoria or Seattle.

This program is specifically designed for students interested in adventure tourism, expedition guiding, outdoor leadership, land use planning, and community based natural resource management. Courses often emphasize experiential learning in mountain, grassland, and interior forest ecosystems, with opportunities to explore topics such as recreation ecology, sustainable tourism development, watershed stewardship, and Indigenous approaches to land relationships. Surrounded by rivers, rangelands, and dry interior forests, TRU provides a strong setting for students interested in careers at the intersection of outdoor education, conservation, and applied natural resource management.

Program Requirements:

  • College of Forestry student in good academic standing
  • Satisfactory OSU conduct record
  • At least sophomore standing
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75
  • Recommendation
  • Complete all OSU GO and host institution application materials by appropriate deadlines
  • All applicants must successfully complete an interview demonstrating academic purpose and maturity.
  • Attend pre-departure orientation sessions (in-person or virtually)

Resources

Application Process and Deadlines

DeadlineSemester 1 (Winter/Spring) Semester 2 (Summer/Fall)
OSU Go Application DeadlineAugust 15February 15
TRU Application DeadlineSeptember 15March 15
Pre-Departure OrientationOctoberMay
Semester StartJanuarySeptember

Funding Your TRU Experience

Gilman Scholarship: The Gilman Scholarship provides up to $5,000 to Pell Grant recipients participating in a credit-bearing study abroad program. The program is provided by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau Educational and Cultural Affairs to enable students of limited financial means to participate in international programs that provide them with valuable skills. Applicants must be receiving a Pell Grant at the time of application or provide proof they will be receiving a Pell Grant during their study abroad program. Deadline for experiences beginning:

  • December - October: October 10 of the year before
  • May - April: March 6 of the year before

Dean's Fund for International Engagement: Available to all College of Forestry students attending classes at a partner university overseas. Up to $3,000 is available to students at the undergraduate or graduate level participating in an exchange between 4-6 months. The award aims to assist students in pursuing their interests through international study, research, internships, and other collaborative experiences. Deadline for experiences beginning:

  • Fall: June 1
  • Winter: November 1
  • Spring: January 10
  • Summer: April 1

All students interested in applying to the Thompson Rivers University exchange program should first contact Rachael Fahrenbach.