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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!
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.
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.
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.
As an international student Ha Na had the reality of high tuition, no work experience and challenges in finding employment. She decided co-op was the solution to learn professional work search skills and gain related employment while attending university. She shares her challenges and successes along the way.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
As an undergraduate student, Spencer Chen excelled with a GPA of 4.21 and received numerous merit-based scholarships and awards. She also sought diverse research and community service opportunities to make meaningful contributions to the SFU community.
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?
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.
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.
Being an international student at SFU is not easy as there aren't many opportunities to meet other students. The Global Student Centre welcomes all, hosting events that bring students together to celebrate diversity and create intercultural awareness.
"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.
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.
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.
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
The Canada Prospects Youth Research Team crossed the country to discover what job seekers like you need to know about employment in Canada. Read on to learn the answers to your most common questions.
What is it like to go on an international exchange? Bachelor of Arts graduate, Azmeet Dhillon shares how her time in Mexico positively changed her personal and professional goals.
Ly Viet Vu recently completed his undergraduate degree in the field of Computing Science. Ly shares how his term with Co-op Japan altered his career path, providing him with the confidence to relocate to Viet Nam and establish his own business.
There are sufficient amount of tips regarding resume writing, but then came along electronic résumés. Now we have to worry about both methods? Don't panic; here are some shortcuts to e-improve your resume.
If you're interested in an international Co-op internship experience, you'll be happy to hear that there are resources available to help you finance your trip. International Co-op Coordinator Amy Lee answers questions about the International Co-op Award.
School, work, home. That’s considered the typical routine of a young adult – they go to school for higher education, work to stay in school, and relax at home. If only life were as simple as that. Drama in the form of harassment and discrimination is a reality for many people including students. Can you recognize harassment and discrimination?
From weekend getaways to the Alps, to challenging engineering work for Daimler, Sanaz Jahanbakhsh had an amazing experience on her international co-op term in Germany. Read on to find out more about the work placement that put her time-management, communication skills and travel savvy to the test.
On her 6 month international co-op term, based in Sindelfingen, Germany, Sanaz Jahanbakhsh worked on a sophisticated electro-engineering project for Daimler. Find out how her work has contributed to an effort that will save lives on the road.
Workplace safety is a critical topic for new workers. This article contains useful information on Occupational Health and Safety regulations in BC, and important tips on how to stay safe and healthy in an office environment.
SFU Kinesiology student Kayla Donnawell is in Botswana, Africa volunteering with the Students Without Borders program (SWB) In this article, the first of a series, Kayla shares her insights, experiences and reflections of working in a Hospice with HIV/AIDS patients in Gaborone, Botswana.
Make a great first impression at your new workplace by following some of the tips provided by Co-op staff. It’s your time to shine so make this work term your best!
Like most grads, I wanted to see the world after I finished my degree. But with student loan debt and not a lot of savings, I knew that I would have to work and travel in order to fulfil my dream of seeing the world!
The cover letter has changed dramatically. There is no longer one style of cover letter, today there are three different types. Read on about each distinctive type and learn how to choose the most suitable style to stand apart from the competition.
Like Indiana Jones experiencing a Co-op adventure, I’ve been collecting everything valuable from school projects to work assignments. With all the adventures I am undergoing, there should be some organization of my collections. But how?
Adam Keizer, an Environmental Science major, was one of the nominees for the 2006 SFU Co-op Student of the year. In the following article, Adam provides a personal account of his experience on a Co-op term in the rocky tundra of the far north, housed in a camp with only thirty other people.
“Get paid to travel” seems like one of those weird internet scams that you probably shouldn’t click on. But as an au pair abroad, I wasn't paying for accommodation or food, I was meeting other young people, and I was receiving a weekly paycheque!
While life in Kootenays may bear the reputation of being laid back, Co-op student Adam Brayford finds that within the realm of emergency communications, the province's warmer region is abuzz with activity.
Interviewing frequently with TV, radio and print news media, seeing the province’s most beautiful locations by plane or helicopter, taking part in a job where the stakes are high and the responsibility is great: Highlights of the BC Forest Service Co-op experience. Check out a day in the life of a Fire Information Officer.
Co-op has sent me touring the province of BC in a branded Toyota Prius, pouring my creativity into written works at SFU Burnaby, and soon, it will send me to Southeastern BC where I will practice Media Relations. For me, this has resulted from fully taking advantage of all the services SFU Co-op has to offer. Read on to hear my tips on having a successful Co-op experience.
Ever thought about creating your own volunteer position? Francisco has some tips and strategies on how to do just that in this installment of “Diary of a Volunteer”.
Not only does China have a fantastic reputation for employing many Simon Fraser University co-op students each year, this global giant has a culture steeped in superstition and lore.
Do you have a specific country you would like to live and work in? Is there a specific language that you would like to learn? If you have specific international intentions, a self-directed International Co-op is likely the best fit for you. Read on to find out how you can begin searching for a self-directed work term.
The OLC happily presents the following as Craig Vandermeer’s first interview with the OLC after his return from Uganda Fall Semester 2010. Having finished his undergrad at Carleton University with a degree in Political Science, he is continuing his education here at SFU in the International Studies Master’s program.
You open your Facebook account and there it is – your boss wants to add you as a friend! You can’t really ignore her request (she’ll ask you about it the next day), so you go ahead and add her. What’s next? Do you now stop being yourself and stop making jokes about Justin Beiber? Do you stop professing your love for random things?
Students are consistently hesitant to make their resume “stand out” visually. It’s seen as a risk – that if one too many steps away from ‘normal’ are taken, the seriousness of the document will be somehow irrevocably compromised.
Students are consistently hesitanant to make their resume “stand out” visually. It’s seen as a risk – that if one too many steps away from ‘normal’ is taken, the seriousness of the document will be somehow irrevocably compromised.
In her final edition to the series, Kerri Jang finds herself reminiscing about her top memorable moments in Moldova. From an all-night fishing trip to at times being the only person of Asian descent on the scene, Kerri heads home with more than just memories.
Journey through Moldova with BPK student Kerri Jang in this five part series. In this article, Kerri moves from the city into a village in Moldova, she finds herself surrounded by animals and fruit trees as she lives with a host family, while organizing wheelchair basketball and tennis through The Motivatie Association.
Journey through Moldova with BPK student Kerri Jang in this five part series. In this article, Kerri was able to observe her first real-life surgery. Read on to find out what this experience was like!
Part two of the series finds Kerri Jang, volunteer with Projects Abroad, spending time in a city of parallels; Chisinau, in Moldova. Having never experienced a surgery before, Kerri ventures into unknown territory during her adventures in some of the city's hospitals.