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Blogs
Welcome
Being one of OLC's classic storytelling tools, blogs are crafted by SFU Community members which include the everyday student as well as expert voices. This is where we share touching stories, resourceful advice, and insightful knowledge with each other. In keeping with the OLC vision, the following blogs are created by and for students, so why not contribute to the OLC today?
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INTERNATIONAL
“Gosh Roop! Are you really an international student? But you do not speak with an accent. Wow, I would have never guessed that.” Through anecdotes and introspection, Roop shares a compelling narrative of the struggles of why International students face challenges due to language barriers and biases.
"There's a phrase in Israel, "buckle up your elbows" which means that it's time to hustle. This is exactly what brought me to the place where I'm writing to you right now." -- read Kim's story and learn how you can achieve anything with enough courage and motivation.
There are a lot of things your international student friends have never told you. From depression to pressure to stereotypes - life isn't always easy when you are studying abroad. Read an international students take on life overseas.
Jacky is a fourth year Business Student who spent his co-op in Beijing China. Read his interview to discover what his co-op abroad was like. Jacky covers preparing for the work term, work life, and living abroad.
Job hunting is never easy. This is especially true when you are an international student with no Canadian experience. Follow Alireza's tips and tricks on how to navigate around this barrier in your search for meaningful work.
Third year Business student, Corina Inigo, shares about her co-op experience with Teach and Learn in Korea (TaLK). She discusses what TaLK is all about and also shares personal anecdotes from her teaching experience.
In this article, SFU Psychology graduate Ravi Bansal shares her experiences of participating in the Hellenic Studies Field School in Greece. Ravi’s travels encouraged her to become involved in the SFU community, opening up an opportunity to attend the Education without Borders conference in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Are you an international student that feels like there is a wall that stops you from moving forward? Are you trying to improve your language level, but feel embarrassed communicating in English? You're not the only one. But there are people who are reaching their goals. Find your inspiration and become one of them.
Still not sure if co-op is for you? Chetachi explains why co-op was such a valuable experience for her and what it was like to work in the corporate world during her Economics co-op work term.
Bachelor of Sciences graduand Charity Mudhikwa hit the ground running when she came to Canada in 2018 for university, dedicating her undergraduate degree helping SFU students and the community at large.
Since its launch in 2005, the Students for Development (SFD) program has been supporting Canadian university students' participation in internships in developing countries and emerging economies. Isabel went on the SFD program in Summer 2011 where she worked with ICO (Instituto de Capacitacion del Oriente) in Bolivia.
The holidays are a time for fun and festivities, but the feeling of being homesick can also creep in during this time. Here are some steps to help you through it!
Morgan Karugaba shares his journey of how he overcame the challenges of uncertainty, by stepping out of his comfort zone.
A profile on international student and third year psychology major, Rainy Yumeng Jiang, and how community engagement and volunteering has helped her adjust to Canadian culture.
New to Vancouver? Discover 4 spots Lauretta discovered in her adventures around the city.
Learning how to effectively communicate in a new work environment can be difficult enough, but add a language barrier and things get even more complicated. Here are Julia's top tips for overcoming language barriers in the workplace.
Coming to a new country thousands of miles from where you grew up and from everything you know is no easy journey. In this award-winning story, SFU Business student Ali Najaf reflects on the past four years since arriving in Canada from Pakistan in 2012, sharing both his challenges and truimphs.
Who doesn’t love travelling? Summer is just around the corner and with that comes the time to make our travel plans a reality. Have you ever thought about travelling as a way to boost your career?
Looking to maximize your time abroad and integrate with locals, but nervous to take the first few steps? Read on to learn how Kendra broke through their personal barriers, and the advice they have for future travellers to make the most of their work term overseas.
Have you landed an International Co-op work-term and begun preparing for your semester abroad? Surely, you have done your research and are aware of the cultural differences and nuances between where you are going, and your home country? If you haven’t, have no fear! This article is meant to help you understand the basic tips and tricks to adjust to the cultural differences in your new workplace, making your transition much easier.
Changing Times: Stories to Inspire Hope and Resilience
Working from home is a common reality for many Co-op students in the past year. Working from home while working for a Health Authority in the thick of the pandemic is a tremendous experience Kaylla went through last year. Take a look at how she learned to stay productive in these uncertain times.
The Latest
"It’s normal to not hear back from interviewers." Wait, what?! Science student, Richard Hsia has some sage advice to ease your mind and sharpen your competitive edge in your co-op job search.
Veteran co-op student, Mouataz Kaddoura, shares valuable lessons learned from co-op terms with Avigilon, MENRVA, Biomedical Research Lab, and Shield-X Technology.
Transitioning from student life to a 9-5 working lifestyle can take a bit of time. Luckily, Jamie has a couple of tips to help you quickly adjust and help you make the most of it!
Soroush Jafaryvahed set out to learn something new every day on his co-op with Ballard Power. The experience taught him that just because you are only with a company a short time, as as student, doesn’t mean that you can’t make a lasting impact.
The tech sector is one of the world's fastest-growing industries, making it the perfect place to launch a career. But where does that leave students with non-technical backgrounds? Following a coveted internship with SAP, Beedie student, Kevin Ng, shares his experience of working with a global tech firm.
The transition from student to working professional isn’t so easy. While this new chapter in your life can be overwhelming, having an impressive wardrobe can do wonders for your confidence and sense of professionalism.
To be a member of Parks Canada's Toronto Urban Outreach you must first become an expert in the regions incredible national heritage sites. Environmental Science student, Francesca Marquez shares how exploring Canada's heritage sites prepared her to share her knowledge with the public during Canada's 150th anniversary.
Ever spotted your dream co-op position on MyExperience but found out it was on the other side of the country? Or worse overseas! Srijani Datta, is here to tell you about why you should, in fact, relocate for co-op.
Graduate student, Stephen Chastain spent two co-op terms conducting research into microscopic pollution in our oceans. Here, he shares what he learned about this pressing issue and its global implications.
Whether you’re in your first or sixth year, explaining what you intend to do with your degree can be as frustrating as it is… well, frustrating. In this article, Abby Zaporteza sheds light on skills and opportunities, intrinsic to liberal arts.
I was almost finished the semester, and I realized one tiny detail: I hated all my classes. This is the tale of how I followed my heart into an English degree, a network of professional contacts, and endless career possibilities.
Forgetting a new co-worker's name is a common problem, but admitting it openly is a surprisingly welcomed solution, and it can open the door to positive rapport. Eric Cai writes more from his experience.
Yasmin Khalili had her career mapped out way before she came to SFU, but the experience of coming to university and enrolling in the co-op program demonstrated that there are hundreds of paths and opportunities one can follow. Read Yasmin's story to learn about her co-op journey with ChANGEpain Clinic.
With the rise of the digital age, the tech industry has become the hub of all industries. As these companies become more popular, you will want these tips to succeed if you're a non-technical students looking to work in a technical company
Since the Truth and Reconciliation Committee convened in 2008, reconciliation has been an issue on many minds but what is reconciliation? Here, three community members explore some of the issues and realities behind reconciliation.
Think WQB requirements aren't relevant to your field of study? Think again! Kar Hing shares four non-communications courses that helped her succeed on her Co-op work term.
Working with people with disabilities can enable you to understand their experiences better. What better way to do so than having fun at the ocean or in the mountains? Here are some ideas for volunteering with those with disabilities.
Have you ever wondered if extending graduation to take part in co-op is really worth it? Find out by checking out Mark's final co-op reflection as he looks back on four co-op terms.
A few months ago, my mum and I were out late one evening walking our dog. We walked down a dimly lit, quiet street, and saw a shadow in the distance.
Finding balance in university is surely one of the greatest challenges a student faces. Shanice believes that communication is key to maintaining stress levels and living a balanced life.
Have you ever wondered how university contributes to your mental health? In this article, Makshada shares what she learned about SFU's actions to promote mental health and student well-being during her Co-op term with SFU Health Promotion.
Every experience provides the opportunity to go above and beyond. Here, Beedie Business student Jared Chiu shares how he seized the opportunity to grow his role, and how you can too.
Starting a new job is stressful, and it can be even harder if you feel like you aren’t good enough at your position. Here are some ways Haley learned to overcome feelings of inadequacy in the workplace.
Beginning your journey with SFU Co-op can seem daunting at first, especially if you start with an 8-month Co-op but don't be afraid of it! Check out these benefits you'll get from doing an 8-month Co-op rather than 4-months.
We are often told to succeed, but what happens when we fail? In this blog post, Amy shares her personal story of overcoming failure and how it might not be as terrible as it seems.
Why is understanding sexual violence important as a graduate student? SFU PhD candidate, Aynsley Pescitelli, discusses some of the unique factors that create barriers to disclosure for graduate students.
Why is understanding sexual violence important as a graduate student? SFU PhD candidate, Aynsley Pescitelli, discusses some of the unique factors that create barriers to disclosure for graduate students.
Two packs of fruit snacks and other ways to make someone's day - from Jan 22nd to 29th, students explored questions around mental health and actions for thriving during SFU Thrive Week.
Beedie Business student, Ali Najaf shares his extraordinary journey from not knowing anything about the Canadian Football League to working with one of their best teams - The BC Lions.
Don’t limit yourself and be active in asking to take on projects beyond the job description. Here are some insights from Christy’s co-op at TELUS.