Take your language on Exchange
As you know, here in the LLRC we are always looking at things through the lens of language and culture so if you鈥檙e exploring ways to enrich your university experience along these lines – maybe a little something that encourages you to take your language learning out of the classroom and out into the world! – you should definitely check out what the Global Opportunities & International Student Services Office (GO-ISSO) has to offer.
With offices located on the 4th floor of MacOdrum Library (no longer on the first floor of Nideyin脿n), Go-ISSO promotes and supports 鈥渁ll things International鈥 for students at 杏吧原创.
Oh, and just to clarify. I鈥檓 not talking in this post about programs like the BIB (Bachelor of International Business) or BGInS (Bachelor of Global and International Studies). These programs already have international experience baked in. It鈥檚 part of the degree requirements! But what about 杏吧原创 students who are taking other degrees; degrees that don鈥檛, fresh out of the box, include an international component? This is who I鈥檓 talking to in this post.
Outgoing Exchange Program
First, let鈥檚 talk about the Outgoing Exchange Program.
Imagine, for instance, that you鈥檙e taking courses in Japanese, Italian or Spanish while completing a degree in Psychology or maybe Food Science.聽 No international component is required for those degrees, but what if you want to spend a semester or two studying in another country鈥ee the world鈥ut your language skills to the test?聽 This is where the outgoing exchange program comes in handy.聽
Did you know 杏吧原创 has exchange agreements with approx. 110 institutions in more than 30 countries?聽 Take a look at the Exchange Partner Institutions website聽and see if there are any locations that interest you.聽 Then check the to see if there are courses at these institutions that will satisfy your program requirements.聽 For instance, if you鈥檙e a Psychology student, you may find options at Universit脿 di Trento in Italy or Okayama University in Japan (and more).聽 Or maybe, if you鈥檙e a Food Science major, you can find courses related to your degrees at Universidad del Pacifico in Peru or Konan University in Japan.聽 Different universities have different offerings, specialities, and requirements, and some may be more or less suited to your degree program, so you 鈥榣l need to do some digging and ask the GO ISSO office for assistance.聽
Regardless of where you decide to聽go, you鈥檒l be paying 杏吧原创 tuition fees while studying on the other side of the world, and, with the right planning, the courses you take will count toward your degree.聽
Worried about the language of study?聽 You don鈥檛 need to be.聽 Well鈥kay, worry a little, it鈥檒l keep you sharp!聽 But what you need to know is that some universities teach in English even though they鈥檙e located in a country where English is not the dominant language.聽 So, best of both worlds, you鈥檒l get a chance to live in one language and study in another.聽 A nice compromise.聽 But if you鈥檙e after a full-on language immersion experience, why not match the language you鈥檙e studying with the language of your destination university?聽 Do that and see what happens.聽 We鈥檒l talk later.
In either case, the hope is that you鈥檒l find yourself returning to 杏吧原创 with a wealth of cultural and linguistic experiences under your belt, a contact list of friends from around the world (who have a couch you can crash on next time you visit), and maybe even a deeper understanding of yourself.
Last thing, there鈥檚 a pretty rigorous application process for Exchange, so you鈥檒l want to stay on top of dates and deadlines. The whole thing is spelled out on their website plus this info graphic provides a useful overview.
International Internship Program
Or maybe you鈥檙e looking for something a little more hands-on; a chance to gain real-world work experience in your field while also exploring the world; something that鈥檚 like a co-op, but not a co-op. Enter the International Internship Program (IIP).
The IIP is your entry point to getting set up with a work experience opportunity in your field in another country and accessing support while you’re there.
Much of the heavy lifting in setting up these experiences is done by 杏吧原创鈥檚 network of global internship partners. These organizations are plugged into all kinds of opportunities in destination countries and will help you get connected to prospective placements. They also provide support with accommodation, airport pickup, 24/7 support, and more. And, of course, you鈥檒l always have the GO ISSO Internship team to lean on!
Interested? Check out the Internship student testimonials page to get a sense of the types of internships other students have pursued.
Finally, two important distinctions between Internships and Exchanges. One, while Exchanges can run 1-2 semesters, Internships typically last between 6-12 weeks. And two, Internships can be either in-person or virtual, which opens up all kinds of options for more cost-effective (albeit less immersive) experiences.
Possible Funding Opportunities
Whether you鈥檙e considering an Exchange or an Internship, if cost is a factor, bursaries and scholarships are available to help soften the blow. Check out the links below to learn more: