2023 VSP Kinesiology Update:
We are excited to relaunch VSP in Kinesiology! Confirmation of the 2023 program will be made by April 30, 2023.
The Vancouver Summer Program (VSP) in Kinesiology was developed to provide students from several partner universities with a cross-cultural learning experience. The program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn about the field of Kinesiology in Canada, while also exploring Canadian society and culture through interactive lectures, various social activities and intercultural workshops. Visit VSP Central for general program information.
Program Content
The VSP-KIN package offers 2 courses of 39 hours of class time per course, and is equivalent to 6 credits. Classes are interactive and may include group work, class discussions, and guest lecturers. Credit for the courses will be granted by participating universities.
The one month program typically runs from July to August, and offers the following package:
Package A: Sport and Exercise Performance
Students enrolled in this package will explore the exercise-related concepts in classrooms, laboratories, and through field trips. Past participants have visited the Richmond Oval, a world-class recreation facility; a 2010 Winter Olympic venue, BC Place, the host of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games; the venue for FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015; and the Physical Activity Research Centre (PARC), an 11,000-square-metre, state-of-the-art research facility that brings together one of the most interdisciplinary Spinal Cord Injury research programs in the world. Activities and field trips will vary each year due to venue availability and package offerings.
This theory-based course offers a practical overview of core topics and applications in sport and exercise psychology. The course is intended to develop students’ understanding of the psychosocial factors that impact behaviour in sport and exercise settings. Emphasis will be placed on the application of sport and exercise psychology in physical activity contexts by providing students with the opportunity to visit sport and physical activity facilities, and engaging in personal reflection exercises.
Exercise is now recognized as a fundamental lifestyle component of health promotion, and is an integral part of prescriptive approaches to the treatment of approximately 26 chronic diseases or conditions. Students enrolled in this package will be exposed to the theoretical basis for the mechanisms for exercise as a therapeutic approach to health promotion, application of exercise prescriptions, and research approaches. Concepts learned in class will be supported by lab-based sessions covering testing and monitoring of exercise training programs.
2023 VSP Kinesiology Update:
General Information
Typical participants are undergraduate students who have completed a minimum of two years of university prior to joining the program. Please note that students with less than two years of university studies may be considered if their home institution approves it. Graduate students and professors are welcome to participate as well.
Some of our current partners include:
- Anahuac Mayab University, Mexico
- Anhui Medical University
- Beiha ng University
- Beihang University
- Beijing Sport University
- Capital University of Physical Education and Sports
- Central South University
- China Pharmaceutical University
- Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Chongqing Medical University
- Community College City University
- De La Salle University
- East China Normal University
- Ewha Womans University, South Korea
- Fudan University
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- International Christian University, Japan
- King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
- Kobe University
- Lovely Professional University, India
- Minzu University of China
- National Cheng Kung University
- National Taiwan University
- National University of Singapore
- Northeast Normal University
- S.N.D.T Women's University, India
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Singapore Management University
- South China Normal University
- South China University of Technology
- Southern University of Science and Technology
- Sun Vat-sen University
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The University of Hong Kong
- Tongji University
- Tsinghua University
- University of Macau
- Wenzhou Medical University
- Wuhan Sports University
- Yunnan Normal University
- Zhejiang University
Accommodation is provided on the university campus with easy access to classes, libraries, sports facilities and transportation.
Students are supported by the School of Kinesiology staff and volunteers.
Program fee for 2023 is $5,625 CAD
It includes:
- Tuition
- Course materials
- Accommodation (shared apartment, private room)
- Basic medical insurance
- Airport transfers
- City Tour
- Social activities (see Explore tab)
Students are responsible for the cost of food, transportation around the city as well as any other personal expenses they may incur.
Application and selection is made through the participating students’ home university. Participating universities should contact the School of Kinesiology of their interest in the summer program well in advance so that accommodation, instructors and all other details can be organized. If you'd like to inquire further, please fill out the form under the Contact Us tab.
Academic and Sociocultural Activities
The program includes a city tour, welcome and farewell luncheons, and many academic and social activities. Academic and some social activities are included in the program fee while others are subsidized. Activities may include visits to museums and Vancouver tourist attractions, outdoor activities such as dragon-boating and a beach BBQ, attending sporting events, as well as weekend or day trips to Whistler, Victoria and the Rocky Mountains. Activities may vary each year due to venue availability and package offering. Examples from previous programs are highlighted below.
Clinical Exercise Physiology Lab
The students are learning the anatomy of the upper body with models of the muscular system.
Exercise Training Basics and Core Function
The students are learning how to use the body’s core effectively when training different muscle groups. The instructor is correcting the student’s form and body position.
Welcome Dinner
The students are showing their Kinesiology spirit by doing a cheer. The Welcome Dinner is a large event, attended by students from all faculties participating in the Vancouver Summer Program.
Kin Grad Fair
The students are listening attentively as graduate students doing their Masters or PhD in Kinesiology share their research.
Field Sports
The students are playing a number of different field sports while learning the foundations of coaching.
UBC Indoor Baseball Training Centre
The baseball coach is teaching the students how to catch. The indoor training centre contains batting cages, pitching machines, and HitTrax data capture and simulation systems.
PAL Ropes Course
The students are working as a team to overcome the challenge ropes course. The ropes course is located on UBC campus and is comprised of 20 high elements and many low challenges.
Canadians Baseball Game
The students are watching the Vancouver Canadians play baseball at the Nat Bailey Stadium. The Vancouver Canadians are a Minor League baseball team based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Rogers Arena Tour
The students went on a tour of Rogers Arena, home to the Vancouver Canucks hockey team.
Dragon Boating at False Creek
The students had the chance to try dragon boating in the beautiful waters of False Creek. After learning how to paddle through a series of drills, the students on each of the three boats raced each other.
Beach Day: Barbecue, Games, and Sports
The students spent the afternoon at Locarno beach, starting with a barbecue lunch, and ending with different activities and sports on the sand. Some students even went for a swim!
Graduation Day
The students are giving one final kin cheer at their graduation day, led by one of the student ambassadors. This marks the end of their time with the Kinesiology Vancouver Summer Program.
To learn more about the Vancouver Summer Program (VSP) in Kinesiology, please fill out the inquiry form below or contact:
VSP Kinesiology
International Undergraduate Students Are you a prospective international undergraduate student? If so, please visit the Admission Requirements section of our Prospective Undergraduate page.