Q: Are there any toxic or poisonous wildlife in the area to be concerned about?

You will encounter plenty of wildlife during your field course at Huntsman Marine – both on the land and from the ocean environment. Some fish species and sea urchins have spines that should be avoided or handled while wearing protective gloves. The St. Andrews area has Lyme disease ticks but are typically picked up while walking through tall grass. You should be vigilant to wear long pants in tall grass, check your body often when going inside and while showering, and use tick removal forceps if you have to properly remove one from your body. Removed ticks should also be saved in a baggie or vial so a test can be conducted to determine the risk and appropriate treatment for Lyme disease. The Town pharmacy can also be contacted to determine next steps if you’ve had to remove a tick. You can learn more about ticks from information posters located in entry foyers to our residence buildings. Mosquitos and other biting black flies are likely to be present during your field course and you should come prepared accordingly.

Q: Will I be expected to share accommodations?

Students will share dormitory rooms (2-3 per room), segregated by gender, with your own bed, bed linens and access to a desk. Room assignments are made by Huntsman Marine staff unless directed by the lead teacher/professor. Our dormitory building (Needler Hall) has shared bathroom facilities, segregated by gender, and are equipped with showers, sinks and flush toilets.

Q: Are there laundry facilities nearby?

Two coin operated stackable washer & dryer sets are present on the Huntsman Marine campus and available for visiting student use. These can be in high demand at times based on the number of visiting students present at any given time. The Town of St. Andrews also has a public laundromat located downtown near the local grocery store.

Q: What is the typical meal schedule and service?

All meals prepared on-site of the Huntsman Marine campus are included in your program fees as our food service staff/contractors have no capacity to process payment transactions. On-site breakfasts are self-serve (e.g., yogurt, juice, cereal, toast) and at your own initiative. Lunches and suppers are served at prescribed times based on your planned activities in your designated dining space by the food service staff/contractors. Packed meals (e.g., sandwiches, fruit) are also provided when your group is planning to be in the field during meal times. There is a grocery and gas station in Town to pick up after hours snacks and Huntsman Marine recently also installed vending machine capacity on campus.

Q: Are the meals able to accommodate my food allergies/sensitivities?

Food sensitivities and allergies should be communicated to your course personnel as soon as possible as such requests must be relayed to Huntsman Marine at least 15 business days before the start of your program to ensure our kitchen team is able to order groceries with appropriate delivery before your group arrives. Vegetarian, vegan and lactose free diet requirements may be accommodated with no additional cost and 15 business days advanced notice although strict vegans may be less satisfied with variety. Gluten intolerant meals are prepared separately but our kitchen is not certified for this and cross-contamination cannot always be avoided. We require 15 business days advanced notice for gluten intolerant diets and an additional $1.02 is applied to our regular breakfast & lunch price rates (no additional cost for dinners). Other requests for dining accommodations will be addressed individually, but keep in mind this is a field station not a restaurant. We are not able to prepare strict Kosher or Halal proteins but vegetarian options will be available from our kitchen. Accommodating other special diets may be possible and these possibilities along with any additional fees will be discussed between your instructor and the Huntsman Marine program coordinator. Our kitchen is always peanut and other nut free.

Q: How far is the Town of St. Andrews & what amenities are there?

The Town of Saint Andrews is a scenic 20 minute walk from Huntsman Marine. St. Andrews is a small, but well-serviced tourist town with a Scotiabank branch, post office, grocery/hardware stores, pharmacy, souvenir shopping and many restaurants. Keep track of the time as many of our restaurants and stores close earlier than you might be used to in cities. Also note that there are no taxis or Uber coverage in St. Andrews and King Street Pizza is the only food option that will deliver at this time. There is a small health clinic in St. Andrews and the closest hospital is the Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen NB where there is emergency room coverage. Counselling services typically available at universities are not available, but your course Instructors are available for discussions as necessary.

Question 1

What is a typical daily schedule?

Accepted Answer

Our field course schedules are largely dictated by the tides – and more specifically when it is low tide – when you are here. Activities may need to be scheduled to begin early in the morning and continue late into the evening accordingly. Field activities can last from 1 hour to 5+ hours and occur either close to campus, but often require a 45 minute one-way drive. Lab-based activities identifying and learning more about specific organisms will be scheduled to occur before or after field exercises. For university courses, many evenings will also include lectures, discussions or presentations that may last ~1.5 hours.

Yes, the days are long but taking full advantage of this unique learning environment is our primary objective during your field course! A typical daily schedule may include: 7:30 am or earlier breakfast, 8:30 am depart for field work rain or shine, 12:00 pm lunch, 1:00 pm continuing field work and 5:30 pm summer. The evenings will vary with university and some high school groups conducting activities in the evenings, whereas other high school groups will go to Town or have a campfire.

Question 2

What level of physical activity is involved during a field course?

Accepted Answer

Daily activities may include walking up to 2 km with a backpack, often over wet, uneven, slippery algae covered rocks or thick mud. Some time is likely to be spent aboard the Huntsman Marine 15 m research vessel typically for sessions that are 1.5-4 hours at a time. Outdoor activities proceed in all types of weather except during lightning or other potentially dangerous conditions. Most field sites have no services or nearby toilet facilities.

Question 3

What are some common conditions that I might experience during a field course?

Accepted Answer

Common conditions may include long drives, walking over uneven and slippery ground, long days exposed to heat/sun or cold/rain, and boat rides that may typically last for 1.5-4 hours. The immersive marine biology activities will be quite interesting but getting to the specific locations may be a bit boring while driving, which can be alleviated with personal music players, books etc. Good hiking boots that are broken-in can mitigate the challenge of uneven ground. It is vital to check the long-range weather forecast before your field course to dress appropriately as activities occur rain or shine. Although sea conditions are rarely very rough, those prone to motion sickness may want to pack appropriate medication (e.g., Dramamine, Gravol) to help with this.

Question 4

Can you tell me about the weather that we might encounter?

Accepted Answer

Weather conditions likely to be encountered include all forms of extreme weather: strong sun, high UV, rain and strong sometimes cold wind. Air temperature can vary from hot (30°C) and sunny to cool (<10°C) and rainy – and it is always colder on the vessel. Students are expected to check the weather and dress/pack accordingly for the day’s activities. Layering your clothing is a prudent strategy and students should pack clothes made of fabric that insulates even when wet (e.g., polarfleece, wool). Bringing your preferred sunscreen, hat and sunglasses are also recommended to protect your skin. Carrying refillable water bottles is also essential to avoid dehydration.

Question 5

Are there any toxic or poisonous wildlife in the area to be concerned about?

Accepted Answer

You will encounter plenty of wildlife during your field course at Huntsman Marine – both on the land and from the ocean environment. Some fish species and sea urchins have spines that should be avoided or handled while wearing protective gloves. The St. Andrews area has Lyme disease ticks but are typically picked up while walking through tall grass. You should be vigilant to wear long pants in tall grass, check your body often when going inside and while showering, and use tick removal forceps if you have to properly remove one from your body. Removed ticks should also be saved in a baggie or vial so a test can be conducted to determine the risk and appropriate treatment for Lyme disease. The Town pharmacy can also be contacted to determine next steps if you’ve had to remove a tick. You can learn more about ticks from information posters located in entry foyers to our residence buildings. Mosquitos and other biting black flies are likely to be present during your field course and you should come prepared accordingly.

Question 6

Will I be expected to share accommodations?

Accepted Answer

Students will share dormitory rooms (2-3 per room), segregated by gender, with your own bed, bed linens and access to a desk. Room assignments are made by Huntsman Marine staff unless directed by the lead teacher/professor. Our dormitory building (Needler Hall) has shared bathroom facilities, segregated by gender, and are equipped with showers, sinks and flush toilets.

Question 7

Are there laundry facilities nearby?

Accepted Answer

Two coin operated stackable washer & dryer sets are present on the Huntsman Marine campus and available for visiting student use. These can be in high demand at times based on the number of visiting students present at any given time. The Town of St. Andrews also has a public laundromat located downtown near the local grocery store.

Question 8

What is the typical meal schedule and service?

Accepted Answer

All meals prepared on-site of the Huntsman Marine campus are included in your program fees as our food service staff/contractors have no capacity to process payment transactions. On-site breakfasts are self-serve (e.g., yogurt, juice, cereal, toast) and at your own initiative. Lunches and suppers are served at prescribed times based on your planned activities in your designated dining space by the food service staff/contractors. Packed meals (e.g., sandwiches, fruit) are also provided when your group is planning to be in the field during meal times. There is a grocery and gas station in Town to pick up after hours snacks and Huntsman Marine recently also installed vending machine capacity on campus.

Question 9

Are the meals able to accommodate my food allergies/sensitivities?

Accepted Answer

Food sensitivities and allergies should be communicated to your course personnel as soon as possible as such requests must be relayed to Huntsman Marine at least 15 business days before the start of your program to ensure our kitchen team is able to order groceries with appropriate delivery before your group arrives.

Vegetarian, vegan and lactose free diet requirements may be accommodated with no additional cost and 15 business days advanced notice although strict vegans may be less satisfied with variety. Gluten intolerant meals are prepared separately but our kitchen is not certified for this and cross-contamination cannot always be avoided. We require 15 business days advanced notice for gluten intolerant diets and an additional $1.02 is applied to our regular breakfast & lunch price rates (no additional cost for dinners). Other requests for dining accommodations will be addressed individually, but keep in mind this is a field station not a restaurant. We are not able to prepare strict Kosher or Halal proteins but vegetarian options will be available from our kitchen. Accommodating other special diets may be possible and these possibilities along with any additional fees will be discussed between your instructor and the Huntsman Marine program coordinator. Our kitchen is always peanut and other nut free.

Question 10

How far is the Town of St. Andrews & what amenities are there?

Accepted Answer

The Town of Saint Andrews is a scenic 20 minute walk from Huntsman Marine. St. Andrews is a small, but well-serviced tourist town with a Scotiabank branch, post office, grocery/hardware stores, pharmacy, souvenir shopping and many restaurants. Keep track of the time as many of our restaurants and stores close earlier than you might be used to in cities. Also note that there are no taxis or Uber coverage in St. Andrews and King Street Pizza is the only food option that will deliver at this time.

There is a small health clinic in St. Andrews and the closest hospital is the Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen NB where there is emergency room coverage. Counselling services typically available at universities are not available, but your course Instructors are available for discussions as necessary.

Question 11

Is wifi available on campus?

Accepted Answer

Huntsman Marine is a modern facility with reliable cell phone coverage, water and electricity, but we ask visiting student groups to conserve resources where possible as we strive for a sustainable operational footprint. The campus has wifi coverage sufficient for course work, but its bandwidth is limited so the use of high-demand streaming (e.g. Netflix or online gaming) is not permitted. There are no computer workstations available but spaces allocated for use of personal laptops.

Question 12

What is your alcohol, smoking & drug policy?

Accepted Answer

The minimum legal age to purchase, possess and consume alcohol, tobacco (including vaping) and cannabis is 19 years old in New Brunswick.

Alcohol consumption is permitted only in dorm rooms for student course participants who are 19+ years old. Smoking of any legal substance is permitted only outside of buildings and in designated areas.

Students must use substances responsibly, keeping their own safety and the safety of others as a priority. No alcohol or cannabis will be consumed prior to (i.e. within 8 hours) or during field work activities. Anyone deemed unable to fully function as a result of intoxication will not be allowed to participate in field activities.

Question 13

What is the expected social situation during a field course?

Accepted Answer

You will be expected to share dorm rooms, labs and vehicle trips with people you hardly know. Working long hours in close quarters can sometimes raise tensions and students are encouraged to discuss these with those involved and, if necessary, with the Instructors.

Huntsman Marine is often hosting up to three student and professional meeting groups concurrently. We make every attempt to separate groups as best we can in time and space. Your group will be assigned specific spaces for lectures, labs, sleeping and dining to ensure you are able to stay together while limiting direct interactions between groups. Quiet hours begin at 10 pm when your group is sharing the residences with another group. Always treat others with consideration!

Student Living

Access – the Bay of Fundy Classroom

We use our proximity to the Bay of Fundy as an inspiring classroom during your field course! St. Andrews experiences some of the highest tides in the world but what comes up must go down giving exceptional access to many different intertidal habitats to explore.

Learn – Labs & Lectures

Eat – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Rest – Dormitory, Hotel-style & Apartments

Lounging – Play a Board Game, Watch a Movie or Unwind with a Book

Accessibility

Health & Safety

Special Dietary Needs

Some notes on special diets and food allergies:

Vegetarian, Vegan & Lactose Free – these diet requirements may be accommodated with no additional cost and 15 business days advanced notice to ensure our kitchen team is able to order groceries with appropriate delivery before your group arrives.

Kosher & Halal Meals – We are not able to prepare strict Kosher or Halal proteins but vegetarian options will be available from our kitchens.

Frequently Asked Questions