The Latest

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.

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.

In the third entry of her series, Kali is getting comfortable with the daily routines of living and working in Kolkata, India. Through her research into adolescent health, she developed and delivered workshops for young women on nutrition and exercise.

In the second installment of her series, Kali encounters some of the challenges of an international Co-op term. Find out how her determination led her to an amazing experience with Socio Legal Aid and Research Training Centre in India.

Journey through Moldova, a small country situated between Romania and Ukraine with Kerri Jang as she volunteers with a medical project in Moldova's capital and a care project in the nearby village of Vadul lui Voda this five part series. In this article, Kerri begins her journey in Moldova! 

Kali Penney had three missions when she left on her volunteer co-op to India; to survive living in a developing country for 3 months, to learn about major health issues in Kolkata, India, and to complete work that will have a continuing impact long after she has left the country. In her first article, Kali recounts her arrival in India and introduction to the local culture.

In her third year as a Communication major, Sheena Rupani returns home to Mumbai, India and proves that an SFU student has what it takes to compete on the international marketing scene. In a setting where high stakes rely on time management and clear cross-cultural communication, this international co-op celebrity takes self-directed study to the next level.

How do you make important decisions? I’ve been reminded in my visits with students of the difficulty that can be a part of making big decisions. I’ve also been reminded that when working with people struggling with a choice, it can be challenging to reign in the impulse to push for one direction or the other.

How do you make important decisions? I’ve been reminded in my visits with students of the difficulty that can be a part of making big decisions. I’ve also been reminded that when working with people struggling with a choice, it can be challenging to reign in the impulse to push for one direction or the other.

Whisk your imagination off to the world’s smallest continent and the sixth largest land mass on Earth. Not to mention a great place to do a Co-op semester. Meet: Australia!

There is no better time to think about helping others than during the traditional season of giving. And because many charitable organizations kick into high gear during the holidays, there is no shortage of opportunities to contribute your time and talents. So why not try volunteering this holiday season?

Is your career portfolio feeling a little outdated? Tune in to a local makeover phenomenon that's taking the job market by storm: SFU Co-op. Communication Major Jessica Doherty knows first hand what co-op can do for building confidence, contacts, and a killer resume. Read on to follow her on her journey from drab to high profile.

Busy week! Sometimes it seems like there’s a never-ending stream of students to see, employers to contact, people to follow up with, meetings to attend, and… well, blog articles to write!

For Laura Lush's fourth Co-op work-term she had the opportunity to work with Tamwood International College in beautiful Whistler, BC. Read about her experience here.

Co-op Japan: 9 months in Japan can seem like a long time away from the comforts of SFU. But as we all know, if you’re having fun, time flies. For Duncan Chan, all he saw was time fly as he experienced life in Japan like no other. He worked his Co-op work terms, developed friendships, and gained new skills he can utilize in the future – everything he did in Japan was that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and he took it until the very end.

Read about David Moloney, the Executive Vice President of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and someone who "“…can’t decide what he wants to do when he grows up,” as he shares with us his experience working in government.  

Students in counselling psychology become very familiar with the term “empathy."The message that empathy is the cornerstone to successful therapy is pounded into your brain until you stop asking how or why it’s important, and start accepting it as a fact.

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP) is known as a hub for innovation and technology in Asia. The following article is a translated excerpt from Takungpao, featuring Simon Fraser University students on international work terms at HKSTP.

For three SFU Science Alumni, the road to success was a windy one. While each of them experienced roadblock and detours, none foresaw the opportunities and open doors that awaited them post graduation.

Q  & A's with Autumn Mochinski, a student who participated in a funded  international placement with the PAHO/ WHO to prepare an assessment of social  determinants and health and Tuberculosis in Lima, Peru.

Bomee Hwang is a Business student and just completed three co-op terms at Ericsson where she worked in the Human Resources Department.  She shares her thoughtful observations about Human Resources in her co-op reflection.

The cold, hard fact is that Facebook may be putting your job at risk, and not just because you’re writing on your friends’ Walls when you should be working. This said, co-op students: please take heed of the following guidelines and maintain your all-important professional poise.

Tired of the same ol Vancouver scene?  Want to travel, but think you cant because your student bank account is plummeting somewhere in the negatives?  If you said yes to both these questions, sounds like youre suffering from a classic case of travel bug blues.  But dont worry, theres a simple solution to your ailment.  Start searching for co-op jobs out of town!

While Switzerland is a great place to travel and eat, its more than just a land of cheese, chocolates, and msli! Its also a great place to work and study, allowing students gain experiences of a lifetime!

Meet Jeannie Chan, a Computing Science and Statistics student who convocated this June. Shes completed a total of five Co-op work terms, and has been able to develop an impressive set of skills, helping her to land a full-time job! Read on to learn all about her experiences.

Keep hearing that networking is the key to professional success, but unsure of how to go about doing it? The Vancouver Board of Trade's first-ever Speed Networking event brought together students, mentors and representatives of the business community for 2 hours of intense contact building. Widely attended and well-received, this event proved that networking can be an enjoyable affair. 

When someone on campusasks you “how are you doing?” what do you usually say? More often than not it seems the answer is “busy” because, let’s face it, SFU students ARE busy.

Welcome to Office Life 101. A wealth of friendly advice for the first time or inexperienced co-op student, and some advice as to what is required of you to not only survive, but to flourish in an office environment.

Mila Lukic, who immigrated to Canada from Serbia with her family at age 16, convocated this June with a B.Sc. in molecular biology, biochemistry and business administration with First Class honours. During her time at SFU, she completed four Co-op work terms including an international placement in Scotland for the Encouraging Global Dynamic Entrepreneurs (EDGE) program. Learn more about her achievements and experiences here.

Trying to decide whether devoting your time to a club or professional association is right for you? Public Relations Executive, IABC member and former Communication Co-op student Stephanie Vicic gives insight into the value of pursuing the extracurricular. Read on!

Attention to all international SFU students! Are you preparing to enter the Canadian workforce soon? If so, the transition has just been made easier for you, courtesy of the federal government.

Classroom, volunteer and Co-op experience led SFU Alumus Josh Pablo to an exciting and challenging position with VANOC, preparing for the 2010 Olympic Games. Read on for more about Josh’s road to 2010 and for more on volunteering for VANOC.

Being an arts and social sciences student means having a vast variety of career options open to us. One of them being a treaty negotiator at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)! Read Ryan's blog to find out more about what this position entails. 

Through Arts Co-op, I landed a position which has helped me bridge the gap between education and the workforce, and has also provided me with valuable experience working in the Canadian public service.

Upon graduation in June 2008, Kaili Rand had achieved the highest cumulative GPA in her faculty, maintained a balance between her schoolwork and volunteering, and has been accepted into medical school. Did I also mention she’s a Co-op student?

Co-op student Arthur Yee explores his career path in Communications by getting involved in professional events presented by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

Famous for its windmills, clogs, bicycles, tulips and liberal policies, the Netherlands is a fantastic destination for students to gain work experience in one of the leading European economies!

Volunteering overseas can be a great way to see the world and gain experience. But you should be conscious of the ethical implications of your international volunteer experience. Read more here.

On a special assignment for the university, SFU Volunteer & Service Learning Coordinator Trina Isakson visited community leaders in and near Barhampur village, in Punjab province of India. Her mission: to establish an ongoing opportunity for SFU students to work and volunteer in the culturally vibrant region.

Enrich your life experiences while working on an international Co-op placement. Learn life-long skills that French culture offers which can be transferred into the Canadian work environment and education.

Alex Briede, a Molecular Biology and Biochemistry student, convocated this June. Along with his BSc, he received a Co-op designation on his degree for his five Co-op work terms! Read all about his experiences and why he recommends joining the Co-op program.

When Adam accepted the position of Fire Information Officer for the BC Forest Service, he knew that the job might entail long hours, a steep learning curve and a major lifestyle adjustment. What he did not know was that the whole experience would set off with a week at firefighter boot camp. Read Adams story about surviving bootcamp. 

Special Olympics Canada is an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through positive sports. Al-Rahim Habib, an SFU student is finishing his B.Sc. in Health Sciences this semester, is currently volunteering for Special Olympics BC, a chapter of Special Olympics Canada.  His goal is to one day become a medical doctor.

México is a popular travel spot due to its lovely beaches and vibrant culture. It’s also an amazing destination for Co-op! Read all about it in this segment of the International Spotlight series!

Want to find a meaningful volunteer opportunity but don’t know where or how to start? Check out Francisco’s tips on getting started in your volunteer search and online resources to help you find what you’re looking for.

David Skerik's time as an undergraduate political science student could be described as the ultimate balancing act. The end result of achieving this balance was exceptional grades, a busy family life and valuable co-op work term experiences that allowed him to participate in important work for Canada's First Nations communities.

For Suzanne Young, SFUs Co-op program was an immense part of her undergraduate experience. As a graduate in Linguistics and French, she reflects back on her experiences as a Co-op student.

Have you ever been told that you have to “sell yourself” in order to succeed in finding a job?  Are you a reserved, overly modest introvert who shudders at the idea of “talking yourself up” to others?  If yes, then you’re in the same camp as me, and a whole lot of other generally nice, well-meaning people.

Heather graduated from SFU in 2001 with a degree in Mathematics, a certificate in Computing Science and a certificate in Liberal Arts. Read on to learn more about the advice Heather gives about making the most of your time at university.

Meet: The United Kingdom! A popular destination for travel, and in fact, for an International Co-op Experience of a lifetime. Find out why working in the UK has SFU students raving!

Each semester, the International Co-op office posts a multitude of Co-op jobs for students looking to have a unique, some would say life-changing, experience by going to work outside of Canada. Many of the positions open to students from all faculties are for English instructors. Find out more about Ben's experience teaching English in China...