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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

 

Changing Times: Stories to Inspire Hope and Resilience

 

Kaylla
Staying Productive While Working Remotely for a Health Authority

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 LATEST
Azmeet, author, smiling
Azmeet Dhillon: International Exchange in Mexico

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. 

Skyscape of Tokyo
Ly's International Co-op Story

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.

Person holding a resume
Goodbye Hard-copy and Hello to Electronic Résumés

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.

A person sitting down while thinking in front of an orange wall.
The International Co-op Award: A Bit of Help for Your Placement Abroad

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.

Woman and man in a workplace
Where is Harassment and Discrimination? Right Under Your Nose, Perhaps.

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?

Sanaz smiling in front of Big Ben in London
Sanaz Takes on Germany | Part One

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.

Sanaz standing in front of view of valley
Sanaz Takes on Germany | Part Two

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.

student leaning on a bannister smiling
Work Safe, Work Healthy

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.

Okavango delta, botswana; sunset over water
Working in a Hospice with HIV/AIDS patients

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.

two people sitting next to each other; one is sitting profesionally, the other is more relaxed and slumped over
Make This Work Term Your Best!

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!

A group of people in a conference
Working Internationally: How I got to spend 6 months in the Caribbean...and got paid!

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!

a woman in the office smiling on her phone
The Evolution of the Cover Letter

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.

Indiana jones in a maze of books
Portfolio Building | Part Two

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 smiling with a fish in hand: picture on the right is of an inukshuk
Challenges and Benefits of an Out-of-town Co-op

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.

London
Getting Paid to Have Fun: The Best and Most Economical Way to Travel

“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!

person filling out a physical job application
Why You Must Apply

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.

person turning on their car radio
Called Back from Vacation

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.

Adam
Making the Most of Your Co-op Education: A Senior Co-op Student's Perspective

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.

Volunteering
Diary of a Volunteer: How to Create a Volunteer Position

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”.

China
International Spotlight: China!

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.

Man sitting with a laptop
Co-op How-to: International Self-Directed Work Search

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.

A picture of Nile with people around
By the Nile: A Student's Experience in Rural Africa

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.

a phone screen displaying the text "Privacy"
The Basics of Facebook Privacy

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?

A man looking at a pile of resumes
Unique Resumes – How Far Is Too Far?

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.

Man looking at a resume
Unique Resumes – How Far Is Too Far?

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.

Kerri and her host family
And So It Comes to an End

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.

Farmland Moldovan
My Care Placement in the Village

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.

Large concrete building in the middle of two rows of trees
A Look into My First Real-Life Surgical Experience

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! 

Church
My Medical Placement in the City

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.

Children in colourful clothing playing a game
Reflecting on a Life-Changing Co-op Term

In the fourth and final entry of her series, Kali reflects on her final weeks in India working at Destiny and the Socio Legal Aid and Research Training Centre, as well as taking time to travel and appreciate all that India has to offer before heading home to Canada.