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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
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.
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.
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.
New to Vancouver? Discover 4 spots Lauretta discovered in her adventures around the city.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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!
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.
Morgan Karugaba shares his journey of how he overcame the challenges of uncertainty, by stepping out of his comfort zone.
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!
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.
"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.
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
Whether you’re pursuing a career in writing or not, excellent writing and communication skills are often at the top of the list for job qualifications. Here are five simple steps to drastically improve your writing and set yourself apart from other applicants in a highly competative job market.
Puppy Therapy, Laughter Yoga, and Knitting Club... Read about Megan's co-op experience at SFU's Health and Counselling and the valuable lessons learnt in this 8-month journey.
Have you ever wanted to live and work abroad but could “never” find something career related? Well, in my opinion, what you “could not find” might actually be right in front of your eyes. There are countless opportunities for students to live abroad while teaching English. You just might be surprised at what occupational skills you might be able to extract from such a position. Have a read of my article to find out.
Kenneth Moy is a Kinesiology student who spent his co-op placement at Thompson Community Centre. Read on to find out what he learned after four months as a fitness professional.
Why working in the industry is really valuable to grad students - my six months at Oracle Labs, Vancouver.
Asking for a reference is one of the most important parts to develop in your career. In addition, being a reference for a person can be interesting, especially if it is a cold call reference. My experiences getting references and being a reference have been at the extremes. This is an article referenced on NBC News.
Getting accustomed to a new workplace with new people can be daunting. MBB student Janelle shares her experience working for the fast-paced industrial lab, Maxxam.
Getting accustomed to a new workplace with new people can be daunting. MBB student Janelle shares her experience working for the fast-paced industrial lab, Maxxam.
If you are a business student looking for an opportunity to get some work experience, Co-op is a great start.
Read about Kikuko's role as a chiropractic assistant at Mckenzie Chiropractic. During this co-op experience, they were able to assist with laser therapy, spinal decompressions and so much more!
Yes, shy people can (and do!) succeed, too—and not just as murder-mystery novelists and computer programmers.
Being a Communication major, people tend to automatically assume you have this gargantuan, larger than life personality, and that you’re just a natural people-person. But what about those of us who are, what some might call, introverts?
Who are the Engagement Peers and what makes this SFU volunteer experience unique? Jack interviews Albert Fung, Volunteer Services Coordinator about his experiences with this peer group.
"You need at least 2 years of work experience to get this (entry-level) position.” Learn how one student used volunteer blogging to gain that ever-so-important 2 years of experience and get a leg up in the professional world!
Have you ever experienced chance moments? It’s not about when you get chance moments, but more about how you respond to them. This is an article about learning about chance moments through the Career Peer Educator Program, as well as a thank you to Career Services for the last two years.
Wondering what a DSU is and what they do? Erika shares her story about her involvement in a DSU and how it has enriched her time at SFU.
Seasoned co-op student Courtney McKinnon spent eight months as a Fundraising Coordinator and did a co-op with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Read Courtney's story to find out how you can make the most of your co-op!
Do you have people knocking at your door, asking for your expertise? Did you want to say yes to all of them, but didn’t know if you could handle all of it? Say “no” now, so that you can say yes to the things you truly want later.
University, many people once told me, is the best time of your life. Yes, there is something to be said about being broke and stressed out with deadlines and exams.
Meet Betsy Turtle Bruyere, an entrepreneur and educator who understands the value of hard-work and determination. Read their story, as they share their journey growing up, overcoming adversity, and exploring different careers in education in order to uplift other indigenous peoples and communities.
The successful applicants for the 2014 Graduate Aboriginal Entrance Scholarships were Jordan Abel and Christina Coolidge. They are exploring different aspects of Aboriginal storytelling.
I’ve worked in the sports industry for ten years, and to this day I still love it. This article is all about growth in one of my athletic sports positions, discussing my personal and professional experience, as well as a thank you letter to a good mentor of mine.
What sense does it make to add volunteering to your already busy schedule? Can any good come out of that? You might be surprised with what I've found!
“I always return to the words of Indigenous scholar, Eber Hampton, that we need to design an education system ‘worthy of our ancestors and our children,’” Read Deboarah's story of continuing education, determination and a drive to give back to the community.
Work hard nothing in life is easy, be honest to yourself and others and maintain your principles and values. Read Michelle's story of determination, hard-work and success.
Yellowhorn, an SFU professor of archaeology, has some of the answers how his ancestors adapted to farming and homesteading in the late 1800s.
Researchers found that Aboriginal peoples cultivated clams in handmade, rock-walled beach terraces known as clam gardens.
Clair Lam shares her tips on how to answer the dreaded interview question, "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" by finding out one's unique talent.