As a student in the BC post-secondary education system, you have a remarkable range of opportunities to begin to internationalize your degree and gain valuable experience living abroad.

Whether your goal is to incorporate formal or informal learning opportunities outside of Canada through study abroad or exchange opportunities, or whether you want to earn money while seeing some of the world through one of many work abroad programs, the possibilities to gain important global insights are yours to discover.

We invite you to use the following resources and links to begin your search for the many meaningful international opportunities that exist through BC's education system.

Study Abroad: Engage with the World

Innovations in communication technology and the globalization of culture and trade have made the world a smaller place. As Canadians we are part of an integrated network of other outward looking global citizens. In the years ahead the most valuable professional skill and one of the most profound personal tools you may have is the ability to move through and across cultures. The most powerful and meaningful ways of acquiring and integrating cross-cultural knowledge and skills is through direct personal experience. Studying abroad offers you the chance to begin actively engaging with the wider world.

There are many methods of studying abroad:

• Exchange program - selected students from an institution elect to go abroad to study at a partner institution, while their students come to your home institution.
• Field School and Short-Term Study Programs - a structured program for a group of students that takes place outside the traditional classroom, supplementing the students' academic training with hands-on experience in another culture or environment.
• Independent study program - a program of study abroad that is initiated by the student, often with the support of a faculty supervisor and approved according to procedures of the home institution.

Work Abroad

There is a variety of ways for students to pursue working abroad. Here are a few examples:

• Cooperative Education - Co-operative education integrates study and work experience. The standard co-op program alternates study terms with co-op work terms. The student is typically paid for a work term by his/her employer and normally receives credit for the successful completion of a co-op work term. It allows students to gain work experience in a field relative to their area of study and provides them with a competitive advantage when seeking employment after graduation. Many co-op programs will assist students with identifying overseas work terms. Inquire at your institution for further details.
• Internships or Practicums - Internships and practicums are generally unpaid work experience and can be a required or optional part of various programs. International internships may be permitted and encouraged at your institution. Inquire through the program office or through your campus international office for opportunities.
• General Employment - Employment opportunities internationally pursued individually. On-campus employment offices can assist with your international employment search, as can international newspapers available on the internet.

You will need to determine which type of visa is required for which type of work. In most cases, you will not be permitted to work with a tourist visa, which permits only travel. There are special visas available for certain countries which permit both working and travelling. These are called Working Holiday Visas and are available for a variety of countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) publishes and distributes for free, Working Abroad: Unravelling the Maze.

Travel Abroad

In addition to formal study abroad, international skills may be acquired through informal arrangements. Many students either have travelled, or plan to travel, to other countries at some time in their educational lives. Travel abroad provides students with important opportunities to learn more about a country, its history, geography, politics, religion and language and to interact with locals. It is important when traveling abroad to be conscious of your responsibility as a visitor in another country and conscientious about your impact as you travel.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade publishes several useful publications, some of which are available free of charge.

Pre-Departure Preparation

Leaving familiar surroundings and immersing yourself in a new environment involves a significant life change and as such requires careful planning and research to maximize the opportunity. You will be responsible for ensuring that all requirements for visa, passport, medical insurance, housing facilities, vaccinations etc. are satisfied. Prepare yourself by learning about the country, the infrastructure, politics, lifestyles, education system, medical facilities and safety and security. The following sites provide useful information:

• Student Resources
• Center for Intercultural Learning
• Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
• Economist Country Briefings

Country specific safety and security information can be found through DFAIT. Please check on your destination before departing.

Campus Community

In addition to studying abroad, there are many ways to internationalize your learning experience on campus or in your community, including:

• International courses and programs offered by public post-secondary institutions throughout BC. Some of these programs are obviously international, like International Business, Asian Studies, International Relations, Foreign Language Studies, Interpretation, etc. Sometimes courses aren't necessarily labelled 'international' but indeed are taught from an international perspective e.g. a Political Science course on Comparative Politics which includes an examination of selected foreign governments, or Chemistry in Modern Society with examples of its application across the globe. Seeking out an international program or course perspective enhances your success after completing your education. Ask your department chair or program advisor for a list of internationally focused courses in your area of study.
• Volunteer, practicum, cooperative education or community service-learning projects in local & ethnic communities.
• Extracurricular multicultural and international events and celebrations. For a listing of events, check with campus groups and/or your local intercultural centre.
• Interaction with international students on campus. Buddy programs, language exchange programs, international student clubs, and/or volunteering with the international student services office all present an opportunity to learn from someone from another culture. The international education department at your institution can assist you with finding these opportunities.

BC Students: Study Abroad Scholarships

Many post-secondary institutions in British Columbia make scholarships, bursaries and other financial awards available for students to study abroad as part of their academic program. Study abroad programs and eligibility requirements for awards vary from institution to institution. To find out more about these awards, students can contact the financial aid office or the study abroad office of the post-secondary institution where they are enrolled.

The British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development also lists the following awards:

AWARDS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PROVINCE OF B.C.

Irving K. Barber British Columbia International Scholarship Programs

The Irving K. Barber British Columbia International Scholarship programs are open to eligible students who participate in post-secondary studies, co-op work experiences, internships and other approved experiential learning opportunities abroad.

Successful applicants must clearly demonstrate academic merit as well as links between their study/work abroad experience and their educational and personal goals.

One World Scholarship

Subject to the revenue generated on the scholarship endowments, the program expectations are that up to 400 scholarships worth $1,000 - $3,000 each will be awarded every year to students who have been accepted into an eligible study/work abroad program through their B.C. institution.

More information about this scholarships can be found on the StudentAid BC website or by contacting One World/Pacific Horizons Institutional Representations.

Pacific Horizons Scholarship

Subject to the revenue generated on the scholarship endowments, the program expectations are that up to 50 scholarships worth $1,000 each will be awarded every year to students who participate in cultural or language learning studies abroad.

More information about this scholarships can be found on the StudentAid BC website or by contacting One World/Pacific Horizons Institutional Representatives.

Queen Elizabeth II British Columbia Centennial Scholarship

Three Queen Elizabeth II British Columbia Centennial Scholarships are awarded each year: one major scholarship of $60,000 for two years, and two minor scholarships of $5,000 each for the top runners-up.

More information about this scholarship can be found on the StudentAid BC website or by contacting the StudentAid BC Special Programs Unit at:

Queen Elizabeth II B.C. Centennial Scholarship
StudentAid BC, Special Programs Unit
Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
PO Box 9173, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9H7
E-mail: AVED.SpecialPrograms3@gov.bc.ca

AWARDS AVAILABLE THROUGH CANADIAN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

The Government of Canada offers awards for Canadians and, in certain cases, for permanent residents of Canada to study and/or do research in China, Commonwealth countries, Organization of American States member states and other countries.

More information can be found in the International Scholarship Programs section of the Department of Foreign Affairs website or by contacting the Canadian Bureau for International Education at:

Canadian Bureau for International Education
DFAIT International Scholarship Programs
Suite 1550, 220 Laurier Ave. West
Ottawa, ON K1P 5Z9
E-mail: scholarships-bourses@cbie.ca
Phone: (613) 237-4820
Fax: (613) 237-1073

AWARDS OFFERED BY OTHER COUNTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS

Students from British Columbia who wish to study abroad may be eligible for financial awards offered by governments and institutions in the country where they choose to study. Students can contact the embassies or consulates of those countries in B.C. and elsewhere in Canada for further information.

Students may also wish to contact government departments responsible for post-secondary education in the country where they plan to study, to inquire about financial awards and assistance programs.

The number of awards available varies from institution to institution, and from country to country.

Chinese Government Scholarship

Students from British Columbia have the opportunity to study at a Chinese university on scholarships from the People’s Republic of China, in collaboration with the ministries of Advanced Education and Education.

Students studying abroad gain valuable exposure to Chinese language, culture and business practices, as well as a chance to develop enriching life-long relationships across the Pacific.

The scholarships will be provided to graduating secondary school students and students enrolled in post-secondary studies in undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs. Full and partial scholarships are available. For more information visit, Ministry of Education Chinese Government Scholarship

The Killiam Fellowships Program

The Killiam Fellowships Program is a scholarship program which allows undergraduate students from accredited degree granting colleges and universities to participate in a bi-national residential exchange program between Canada and the United States of America. Scholarship recipients spend either one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student in the other country.

Starting in fall of 2008, qualified British Columbia undergraduate students will be able to participate in this program. Students can apply either to the direct exchange program, which is limited to the participating university partners, or to the open competition, allowing for participation from (and to) any accredited degree granting college or university in either country.

The program is administered by the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America, and is supported by the American Killam Trusts, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and the Foundation.

For additional information and the Application Form please visit www.killamfellowships.com

The application deadline for the academic year 2008-2009 is January 31, 2008.

International Students: Study in BC Scholarships

Some British Columbia (BC) institutions offer partial awards or scholarships to international students wishing to study on their campuses. In general, these awards are referred to as "merit-based" awards, meaning they are determined based on your academic performance and will be quite competitive. Need-based awards, which are common in the US admissions process, are not typically found in Canadian institutions.

To learn more about the specific financial awards available to you as an international student considering study in BC, please visit the Financial Aid or International Admissions section of the institution to which you are applying.

Designed to strengthen ties between BC and other regions of the world, the One World Scholarship for study in BC helps to build international partnerships. It is currently available only to students from the People's Republic of China; the One World Scholarship program provides up to 10 scholarships of $10,000 each annually to students from a designated country wishing to pursue post-secondary studies in BC Students must apply to the institution they are planning to attend for these scholarships. For more information, click here.

You may also be eligible for financial awards from the government of Canada. To learn more about opportunities to finance your study in BC through the Canada federal government, please visit the Education in Canada website.

Also be sure to discuss possible study abroad awards with your own local, regional or national government.

Canada-CARICOM Leadership Scholarships Program (Deadline: September 25, 2009)