International Studies

Elina experienced challenges while applying for Co-op during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of her degree. Follow these tips on how to successfully find a job placement–with less stress!

Read about how FASS student, Sophie McCann, bolstered her experiences in part-time jobs and volunteer work by developing her soft skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership with SFU FASS's internal communications and marketing team.

Before she crosses the stage and moves on to study Law at the University of British Columbia (UBC), International Studies (IS) student Miranda Pinter-Colett took a moment to reflect back on her time at SFU and offer some words of wisdom to current and incoming IS students. 

The last couple of semesters of university can feel like forever, especially when you’re losing motivation to continue the journey. Here are some of my tips on how to stay focused and inspired before graduation. 

There's so many ways to do a Co-op! Read about Diana's experience with Mitacs and learn about how fellow graduate students get experience in their field.

Even as a child, economics student Justine Mok loved helping others and she aspired to pursue a career that would allow her to make a meaningful difference. Read on to see how she used her time at SFU Economics to fuel her future.

One of the most important lessons fourth-year student and aspiring lawyer, Helen Sofia Pahou, has learned at SFU is to “always lean into new experiences.” This realization drove the political science major and double minor in international studies and legal studies to sign up for SFU’s Co-operative Education (co-op) program.

Interested in a career with the federal government? Kate McMurchy shares tips on building new connections and making the most of your co-op. 

A co-op semester at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) allowed International Studies student, William Reid, to learn more about Canada's relationship with Indigenous people. Read more, here. 

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.

With co-op, are we better off sticking to our field of study, or should we take a chance at something entirely different? In this article, Rachel reflects on her work term with the RCMP, what she learned about the industry as well as herself in a field that she would have never considered if it wasn’t for co-op.

It is a very exciting time to get involved with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)! Taylor shares her experience working at INAC's Yukon regional office and how she gained valuable skills while learning about Yukon First Nations, government and life in the North. 

Meet Samaah Jaffer, an Arts Co-op student who has worked at the US Consulate and SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement. Read about Samaah's experiences during these co-ops, and their invaluable advice for other students!

Elinor worked in the External Relations Department of Parks Canada and explains how this was the right choice for her as an International Studies student.

Meet “Student Border Services Officer (SBSO) Umar”, who shares what her co-op was like at the Canada Border Services Agency.

Jeannette Friesen went to Bolvia with the Students for Development program, where she worked with the Solidarity and Free Trade Movement. While there she learned about the importance of culture and came home more motivated then ever to pursue her goals in international relations.

SFU's International Co-op department interviewed Sean Sager fresh from his three-month term in Bolvia, where he worked with Students for Development as a Development Intern,  promoting and teaching the fundamentals of community economic development to local community leaders in Bolivia.