A Quick Guide to University Study Abroad

Want to hit the road while still in school? Check out this guide to university study abroad programmes.

Do 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 fluency in a second language, real-life work experience, and intercultural skills and knowledge.

What are your options for studying abroad?

There are a number of ways you can study overseas as part of your university degree. One of the most straightforward is to visit your international office and find 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 office 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.

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