A Quick Guide to Study Abroad
Want to hit the road while still in school? Check out this guide to university study abroad programmes. BY CHERYL DUNKERTON
D
o you want to prove to yourself—and future employers—that you have what it takes to adapt and function in a new environment? An international student exchange programme is an excellent way to develop practical skills for success in today’s job market. Glynn Hunter, Director of University of Calgary’s Centre for International Students and Study Abroad, says that by 2010, the university aims to have 30 percent of their students graduating with some overseas experience; most other Canadian universities also have a commitment to increasing internationalization. Increasingly it is recognized that students who participate in an international exchange return with career-building skills like fl uency in a second language, real-life work experience, and intercultural skills and knowledge.
What are your options? There are a number of ways you can
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study overseas as part of your university degree. One of the most straightforward is to visit your international offi ce and fi nd out which overseas universities your school has exchange agreements with. These agreements will normally allow you to study at a partner institution for up to a year, while paying Canadian tuition fees to your home university. One of the main advantages to choosing this option, besides not paying foreign student fees, is that credits are often more easily transferred to your degree at home.
It’s still possible, of course, to attend university overseas even if your university doesn’t have an exchange agreement with a particular institution in another country. It will simply require a bit more work on your part. You’ll need to consult with your study abroad advisor at home, as well as with the admissions offi ce of the overseas university to make sure that you meet all the necessary admissions requirements. You will also be paying tuition to the
overseas university rather that to your own school.
Another option is to participate
in a fi eld studies programme, which many universities offer. In this case, a professor takes a group of students abroad and teaches a course there, or a group travels overseas and is taught by local professors. These are growing in popularity and can last up to 15 weeks. Many, but not all, of these programmes are open to third or fourth year undergrad students, or graduate students, and you may be required to take one or more prerequisite courses. It’s best to check with your international department for options and details well in advance.
Co-op programs combine periods of academic study with periods of work experience as an integral part of your degree. Tony Munro, International Co-op Coordinator at the University of Waterloo says, “Leaders in a variety of industries are becoming convinced of
FOCUS ON : Study Abroad
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