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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
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!
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.
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.
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.
Ever wonder how it would feel like being an international student in Vancouver? Talk about a reason to party, well coming from a Punjabi family we hardly need a reason to party but if there was ever a decent one, this was it. Read more to find out about Max Shyngs experience!
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mario Fong travelled to Hong Kong to join the HSBC trainee program through International Co-op. Dropping everything to live in a new country provided him with personal and professional experiences he won't soon forget.
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.
“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.
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?
New to Vancouver? Discover 4 spots Lauretta discovered in her adventures around the city.
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.
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.
Nancy applied as an English instructor in South Korea with the intention of just adding another bulletpoint to their resume. However, the experiences they have gained from teaching and living abroad has made their co-op so much more meaningful than what can be written on paper. Read Nancy's story to learn more about Teach and Learn in Korea.
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.
Morgan Karugaba shares his journey of how he overcame the challenges of uncertainty, by stepping out of his comfort zone.
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
Wonder what resources are available to help you transition from university to the world of work? Wonder what you can do to prepare for the workforce after you graduate from SFU? Read on to discover the resources and strategies available to prepare you for the transition from ‘Backpack to Briefcase’!
SFU Molecular Biology & Biochemistry student Ryan Danroth volunteers with Aboriginal Front Door Society (AFDS) as Harm Reduction Coordinator. They are currently looking for volunteers at AFDS.
Applying for a volunteer opportunity, a job, or graduate school, are all forms of taking career-related action. But what if you don’t have enough time to tackle these aspects of your life individually? That’s where the miniBIG Fair 2014 comes in – read more to find about this very useful, one-day event.
First year is an important time in any university student's development. Kim discusses why she feels it is also a great time to get involved with volunteering!
Curious about what wonders a mechatronics engineer can do? Read about Austin's Co-op journey and find out for yourself!
Kenny takes a look at how engaging with yourself can help you contribute to your community and shares a few tips on how to define your major and your field.
Jeff took Bolivia by storm, working with the Centro Integral de Desarrollo Economico Comunitario (CIDECO), as part of the Bolivian CED Project. Find out more about how his International experience impacted his career journey.
Of Canada’s 60 First Nations languages, 30 are found only in B.C. According to Marianne Ignane, director of SFU’s FNLC, these languages are in a state of decline, which is why she has made it her life’s work to find ways of preserving and teaching these languages.
SFU instructors and students are engaged in a variety of community activities that are making a difference to Aboriginal children and youth.
Indigenous Initiatives Librarian Jenna Walsh has been working with Aboriginal communities and SFU students, staff and faculty to determine how best to enhance and develop the library’s services for Aboriginal students.
Within the first week of my second work term, it became apparent just how much I would be working with Adobe Illustrator. I felt I should be an expert when I was, in fact, still a beginner. How would I rise to the challenge, and become more familiar with the Adobe Suite while on the job?
Kelvin Redvers is a multiple award-winning Aboriginal filmmaker and television producer. Attending Simon Fraser University in Vancouver on full scholarship, Redvers continued film work on both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal topics, continually achieving success at film festivals in Canada and abroad. Read Kelvin's story to learn more about his climb to success.
Erika outlines some of The Women's Centre's projects as well as some past and upcoming events. Check it out to learn more about one of SFU's oldest campus amenities.
Are you in the middle of looking for summer work? Have you applied for countless jobs online but have not been short listed once? Your misfortune could be caused by ATS ‘robot’ systems. Read on for tips and tricks to fight back against ATS systems.
Kim Hornemann shares how a science loving high school student ended up in SFU's French co-hort program and working for the Canada Revenue Agency while still in University.
Whether it is one or two pages, everything from content to design of the resume should be in harmony, enabling you to showcase the great skills you have to offer.
“How in the world will I be able to add value to this team?” This was my initial (and pessimistic) reaction upon hearing that I would be working with 9 other individuals in the Donor Relations & Events team at the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.
In the first instalment of a new series on Passport to Leadership alumni, Trisha interviews SFU Political Science student Michael Thorburn to find out how the P2L program affected his SFU experience.
I thought it might be fun to revisit some of my favourite articles from the past four-ish years, with a brief excerpt from each. I hope you get as much out of remembering them as I have!
You think you’re doing everything you should be, but is there something you’re missing? We collected seven simple reasons why you haven’t landed a job yet.
Natalie has shared her experiences as a Co-op student, but now that she's completing her final semester at SFU she takes a look back at her educational journey, and offers five tips for other students.
Resumes are tough, they’re one of the first things an employer sees from you, and they need to represent your skills and abilities. That’s why we’ve put together eight tips to help you create a resume that presents the best of you and helps you land that coveted job.
Whether you’re looking for your first post-grad job or are in the middle of a Co-op seeking semester, it’s easy to get discouraged when applications go out and responses don’t come in. You think you’re doing everything right, but is there something you’re missing? We have 7 simple reasons why you haven’t landed a job yet.
Leaving a position, an organization, and a field - especially one as positive as I've been in these last 4 or 5 years - always inspires mixed emotions. Excited, terrified, iinspired, sad, nostalgic - all are a part of saying goodbye. Here's why.
Tsatia Adzich recently became a board memeber for SFPIRG, the Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group. She shares how it's opened up a new community for her, and how they relate to her work with Indigenous communities.
Attending office hours makes for a more engaged student. As a final year undergraduate student, Kenny shares why you should attend more of your professors' office hours!
Everybody has a reason for not volunteering, but Emily breaks down a few and shows that they aren't as valid as you would think!
How do you reestablish old relationships you’ve lost touch with? Everyone changes, but the memories we have with people of years past are still there. This is an article on rebuilding broken networks and reconnecting with past personal and professional relationships.
Whether you’re looking at event planning or public relations, a portfolio can be a significant, helpful resource in your job search. Here are some tips on creating and organizing your portfolio, whether in print or digital format.
Overwhelmed with so many volunteer opportunities, or not sure where to start? You can ALWAYS go local! Check out one student’s initiative to help those close to her through the Surrey Food Bank.