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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Morgan Karugaba shares his journey of how he overcame the challenges of uncertainty, by stepping out of his comfort zone.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
New to Vancouver? Discover 4 spots Lauretta discovered in her adventures around the city.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
If an employer you applied to never gets back to you, it’s easy to get down on yourself. We’ve all been there. Learn from my failures to put your best foot forward when applying for jobs.
Communications is a vast field with its own unique challenges. It is not only about writing articles or handling social media, but usually requires you to juggle wearing various hats. To make a lasting impression in communications, you must of course fulfill the described job duties, but knowing how to hone your strengths in a Co-op is the cherry on top.
When opportunities in Vancouver were slim, I took the chance of embracing an experience on the other side of Canada, and in the process gained experience, networks, and memories that defined my final summer of university.
Read Lauren's story about why she decided to take a co-op position that is not directly related to her field of study and the benefits that came with it.
To anyone out there considering working for a not-for-profit organization, I want to share the lessons I learned at Watershed Watch with you.
If you are about to start applying for co-ops or trying to decide if another co-op term at the same organization is right for you, read about my experience of how a surprising situation can lead to a positive experience.
If you want to extract every opportunity from your co-op term, take these proactive steps to grow professionally beyond your job title.
Linh shares her experience working in the HR department of a biotech firm.
See how I faced my fears and worked for a company I never would have imagined working for.
Keep on reading below to learn how I succeeded in my co-op term as an introvert and overcame my impostor syndrome.
Are you having a hard time deciding on whether or not to go on exchange or field school? Are you passionate about topics like national security, defence, and diplomacy? Find out what Cornel has to say about his experience with SFU NATO Club!
Interviews can be a stressful event, full of anxiety and confusion. Much like the dating world, interviews are a first meeting where you are desperately hoping the other person will like you and vice versa. Here are some things to keep in mind for either situation.
In such a fast-paced world of business, if you’re ambitious, it’s important to stay on your toes and be hungry for professional development. SFU alumna, and president of the IABC/BC, Jeanette LeBlanc, shares how.
My first Co-op was an invaluable experience as I dabbled in the world of social media marketing, blog writing, events management and much more!
Written during Liz's time at her international Co-op with the International Paralympic Committee, learn how it was a dream come true as it helped her grow both professionally and personally.
This article provides a few tips to improve your co-op work search. Having completed a few co-op positions, I’ve learned methods that have helped me get a co-op job offer. Some of the tips may seem cliché but when the little things add up, they can help improve one’s chances by a margin.
Mechatronic Systems Engineering graduate, Zahra Haeri, went in to interview for a co-op position at General Motors but left with an offer for a full-time permanent position. Read Zahra's story on moving from Iran, and the common ground between engineering and jiu-jitsu.
Communications graduate Kelly Furey, shares how co-op helped her develop a career before graduation.
If you were to see Jien on campus, you wouldn’t know that she had a disability. She does not use a wheelchair nor does she have a seeing eye dog. She has an invisible disability. In this article, Jien shares her journey on how she came to terms with labeling herself as a person with a disability.
Living with a mental illness or any invisible disability comes with many challenges. One of the most prominent is whether or not one should disclose their status to others. In this article, Jien discusses her experience disclosing her disability with her employer for the first time.
Privilege shapes our world in both visible and "invisible" ways. Jien discusses the ways in which privilege is granted to the non-disabled, and how acknowledging this privilege is one way we can all help.
Trying new things and volunteering to help your community can open up new options and ideas, some of which can be life-changing, and may direct you down a path that you never imagined you would be on.
Communication student and former Career and Volunteer Services staff, Katerina Cookson, sits down with Blogger Jien Hilario to talk about her mental health journey and resources available to SFU students.
Starting in a new workplace as an introvert can seem like a terrifying thing. Even though Camille would much rather hide behind the camera and observe, she knew that the easy way out doesn’t EVER produce the most growth and value.
Three SFU students reflect on their experience as volunteers at the City of Surrey's commemoration of Orange Shirt Day.
Congratulations! You got the job offer, but now what? The first 100 days of a new job are critical for your future success -- whether that means leading a project or simply showing your team that you are an eager learner. This blog will show you how to make the most of your first 100 days on the job.
As many university students know, the start of many major projects begins with a very simple thing -- procrastination. And that is definitely what Jeremiah did before departing for their co-op term in South Korea. However, they soon found that when it comes to teaching you have to have a plan. Read Jeremiah's story to learn more about Teach and Learn in Korea!
The Simon Fraser University Aboriginal Reconciliation Council invites you to witness as we present our calls to action for reconciliation to SFU President Andrew Petter.
When Tarnjeet Thandi would tell others about her joint major, they tended to wonder how Molecular Biology and Biochemistry could be related to Business Administration. Prior to joining co-op, Tarnjeet sometimes wondered the same. Read her story about clarifying career options through co-op.
Landing an internship at an embassy is a dream come true for students interested in diplomacy, foreign policy, international trade and development. Students have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in dynamic, fast-paced, and highly rewarding environments, while learning from leaders in international relations.