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Australian and Chinese university students who want to learn more about Canadian politics have come straight to the source this summer.

Eleven students – eight from Australian National University (ANU) and three from different institutions in China – are attending the first-ever Queen’s Political Studies Summer Institute (QPSSI) from July 9-24.

The two-week program offers on-campus educational sessions and hands-on learning opportunities through a number of field trips. A highlight so far was a visit last week to Parliament Hill, where students met MP Tony Clement, a current Conservative Party leadership candidate.

Himangi Ticku, who is studying international relations at ANU, says she was intrigued by the summer institute because it offers a more dynamic learning experience than traditional lectures and readings.

“Back home maybe I wouldn’t have the time or opportunity to do a course on Canadian politics,” she says. “The summer institute was a good way to study Canadian politics in Canada, as well as travel around and make practical observations.”

Jonathan Rose, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Studies, and Elisha Corbett, a summer research student, developed the summer institute. As a visiting professor at Fudan University in Shanghai last year, Dr. Rose was asked if Queen’s offered any summer programs. Those conversations sparked the idea for the summer institute, and he moved ahead with the project with support from his colleagues and graduate students.