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International

International

From anywhere across the globe, there is an opportunity waiting for you

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Welcome

International experiences are an invaluable asset to your personal and professional development. SFU provides its students with many opportunities to study, work or volunteer abroad. As these stories show, when you travel internationally, you learn to step out of your comfort zone, embrace risk and become accustomed to different ways of living. Many of our SFU community have seized these opportunities, and in turn authored these stories, tips and strategies on how to prepare for your international trip, developing your cultural intelligence and building international networks.

"Why Would Ever You Choose to Work in India?”

India can be a catalyst for personal growth and a life-changing opportunity for those who are bold enough to explore beyond the tantalizing edge of that comfy, complacent comfort zone.

Real Talk: Is an International Co-op Worth It?

International Co-op is a great opportunity for you to work on self-reflection and personal growth. It pushes you into an unfamiliar and challenging situation wherein you must learn to adapt.

Guy holding a map that covers his face
Learn How To "Internationalize" Your Resume

Is applying for a job overseas really that different than applying for one in Canada? It can be - especially when it comes to what you include in your resume. Here are some helpful tips and tricks you will need to customize your resume for an international audience.

Two girls holding custom-made SFU book bag and pencil case
Health Sciences Engagement Improves Lives

After their four incredible months in India, the girls are finally back. This Co-Op inspired them so much so that they have decided to take the initiative to start their own fun-raiser for Destiny Reflection. Read on to find out what they have been doing since they got back and how the experience has changed them. 

Children that Danielle worked with
Danielle's International Co-op Journey: Hope Found in Haiti

Danielle Jeong's trip to Haiti was a self-exploring and life-changing journey. Read about her work at a local clinic and how this experience challenged herself in ways she did not think was possible, while discovering she is and finding a purpose for her studies at SFU.

hong kong's night food market
Expose Yourself

Ever wondered what it would be like to work in Hong Kong? Yat Li shares with us in this 3-part series on his experience adapting to new cultural and professional norms and standards. Read about how he faced and overcame these challenges for a successful international Co-op placement.

Jim Lee at a concert
Justin Lim's Co-op Success Story: Working with the Singapore Youth Olympic Games

If Justin Lim could describe his international co-op experience in one word, it would be AWESOME! Read on to find out more about his unique opportunity to work with the Singapore Youth Olympic Games in Summer 2010 as a multimedia producer and his eye-opening experience working overseas.

Ghana coastline
A Once-in-a-lifetime Experience in Ghana: Interning with Projects Abroad

In Summer 2010, Cici Chenliu, a Kinesiology student, went to Ghana with Projects Abroad for a month to work as an intern at a local hospital. Check out her life changing experience working in the ward and exploring the beautiful cities of Ghana.

a Hong Kong banner depicting the island and food
International Spotlight: Hong Kong

Discover Hong Kong. Discover Asia's world city, where the awe-inspiring attractions are embedded with culture and history and where there is a diverse contrast between city skyscrapers and lush greenery. Labelled as a shopping haven, Hong Kong boasts one of the most unique shopping experiences in Asia! Indulge in the culinary delights and embrace the fast-paced, city-life that encompasses this dynamic city!

France
International Spotlight: France

The old world charm that France preserves with its monumental wonders, along with the sophisticated modernity that attracts tourists from all over the world, serves as a cultural experience not to be missed. Wake up to smell the fresh baked baguettes and experience the exquisite French lifestyle. Work, travel and indulge in a culture that is so rich with heritage! 

a red bus in the middle of a busy street in Hong Kong
Challenge Yourself

Ever wondered what it would be like to work in Hong Kong? Yat Li shares with us in the last installment of his 3-part series on his experience challenging himself, adapting to cultural differences, norms and work environments as well as overcoming mistakes.

An array of fruits laid out on the ground while a man on the side bends down to pick an apple up
Our Neighbourhood: Gariahat, Kolkata

Martyna provides a quick tour of the neighbourhood where the SFU Health Sciences Co-op Team is living in. From fresh fruit stalls to unusual afternoon traffic, take a look at what the girls have been up to in India. 

Boat on a lake
Brittney's Journey of Career Exploration in India | Part Two

Brittney Merryweather, a BPK Co-op student and a Behavioural Neuroscience (BNS) Major, takes us on her journey of career exploration and personal development through her two eye-opening International co-op placements. Read on to find out more about the people, culture and land of India.

Australia sunset
Co-op Australia: Working for YMCA and Health by Design

Wondering what it's like to work on the other side of the hemisphere? Stephanie Hendy shares with us her international co-op experience working as a health and fitness instructor and personal trainer in Australia.

Lee at work
Barbados: A Day in the Life of an Audit Intern

Lee Wu went all the way to Barbados to work as an audit itern. Here he details the work involved. Business Student Lee Wu spent his Co-op work term as an audit intern in beautiful Barbados. Read about his experiences - both in the office and on the beach.

silhouette of person standing with suitcase, watching an airplane takeoff
Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Study Abroad

Want to take time off to travel but don't want to delay your graduation date? Why not study abroad? Pamela shares 5 reasons why you should consider studying abroad.   

volunteering
5 Tips for Volunteering Abroad

In 2011, five SFU students traveled to Cape Town, South Africa to support humanitarian projects. All five were supported by the C.A.R.E. SFU Global Travel Award, a program that funds SFU students participating in humanitarian work in developing countries with donated air mile points.

Picture of the beach
Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Study Abroad

Want to take time off to travel but don't want to delay your graduation date? Why not study abroad? Here are 5 reasons from our OLC writer Pamela on why you should consider studying abroad.                                                                                                                

Eiffel Tower
Five Ways to Gain International Experience

Interested in International Opportunities? SFU has many ways to get involved regarding volunteering, co-ops and mentorships. Read on to discover the many ways you can gain international experience while at SFU.                                                                                                                                   

Hayati Indah Putri taking a picture with a man
A Life-changing Co-op Experience in East Borneo
NGO

In spring 2011, Indah relocated to East Borneo to work as a translator and tutor. After returning from her trip, she reflects on her life-changing experience and lessons she learned while she was working there.

Foreign students at Princeton University
Becoming a Global Citizen: Are You on Track?

“Global Citizenship” is a term that is popping up more and more.  Some say global citizenship is a way of thinking, others say it is about self-awareness and awareness of others, and still others say it is participating in the social and political life of one’s community.

Two small boats in Barbados water
Barbados: My First Impressions and the Canadian Connection

If you want to spend a semester travelling, but don’t want to give up your opportunities to learn, then a co-op placement in Barbados could meet both of your aims. Lee Wu went all the way to Barbados to work as an audit intern. Learn how Lee Wu spent his Co-op semester as an audit intern abroad. Here he details his impression of the country.

Isabel with many people in front of a building
Isabel's Bolivia Adventure: An Irreplaceable International Experience | Part One

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.

Deborah
Making a Difference in Bolivia: Deborah's International Experience

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. Melanie Woo spoke to Deborah about her SFD experience.

Two women smiling at the camera while they make food
Lunch Time Bonding

It's been three months since their arrival in India. The girls look back at their initial experiences and how far they have come since then. Martyna shares their interaction with the girls at Destiny Reflection and her thoughts on being surrounded by such powerful women. 

A large group of people walking towards the Golden Temple situated on a lake
From Amritsar to Sonagachi

Have a sneak peak at the girls' quick getaway visit to Freeset, an organisation similar to Destiny Reflection, located in Kolkata's red-light district. While they were there, they managed to visit some wonderful sites such as the Taj Mahal and the Golden Temple. 

Elena Barbir posing with a friend at a soccer game
RISE to the Occasion

We highlight the experience of Elena Barbir, Chemical Physics major, in the RISE program which has sent her to Germany. RISE is a dynamic summer program that offers undergraduate students from Canada, USA and the UK in an opportunity to receive work experience in research labs for a period of three months.

Table and chairs lined up in a classroom with classroom paraphernalia on the tables
The Archana School for Girls

Martyna, Lindsay, Christine and Silvia share their visit to the Archana School for girls and what they have learned from this invaluable experience. 

Poster with a list of services provided: CT Scan, Digital X-Ray, Ultrasound
SFU IS AWESOME!

As the girls further their learning experience in Kolkata, they come across new findings and lessons everyday - either from each other or from their new surroundings. In this entry, Christine shares her thoughts on a Gender and Health seminar the group participated in and how that has helped her develop a better understanding of Indian culture. 

Silvia, Lindsay, Christine and Martyna smiling at the camera with their co-worker, Diya
SFU Health Sciences Takes India!: Introductions

Meet the girls! Martyna, Silvia, Lindsay and Christine introduce themselves here by telling us about their hobbies, their likes and dislikes and what they love about India so far. Get to know them and follow them on an arm chair journey around India! 

Dog standing next to basket with ducks in it
Misconceived Perceptions About India

We all have our own sets of biases and preconceived notions, but unless we experience things first hand, they are merely based on conjecture and not facts. Martyna is here to break down some common misconceived perceptions about India by providing a comparison between horror stories she's heard from friends before leaving and the true reality of living in India.