Skip to main content
SFU News

Article Banner
If someone told me all of this five years ago, I would never have believed them. That’s the awesome thing about Study Abroad, it opens up a whole new set of opportunities that you never even considered.

Simon Fraser University has joined the Canadian Bureau for International Education’s (CBIE) Learning Beyond Borders (LBB) initiative to inspire more students at the University to take advantage of learning experiences in other countries.

LBB is a national conversation eamining Canadian universities can include learning abroad opportunities as an integral part of their students’ educational experience. The initiative aims to help students understand how studying and working abroad can positively impact their career prospects and professional development.

“Learning abroad whether on exchange, a field school or a co-op can be transformative, and students often say it is the most impactful educational experience they have had,” says Nancy Johnston, executive director, SFU Student Affairs.

She’s pleased that SFU is taking an active role in LLB conversations that will likely reveal more ways for the University to help students find learning and work opportunities abroad.  

Students can already take advantage of SFU’s Study Abroad and International Co-op programs, which both offer ways for students to live, learn and work in a foreign country.

Image of Genevieve by a lake
Fourth-year business student Genevieve Cronkite

For example, fourth-year business student Genevieve Cronkite took advantage of SFU’s Study Abroad program to spend an exchange year studying at Lund University in Sweden. She already sees how this experience is helping her develop career prospects before she has even graduated.

"I plan to work in Europe as soon as I graduate, thanks to some of the connections I’ve made on exchange,” says Cronkite.  “If someone told me all of this five years ago, I would never have believed them. That’s the awesome thing about Study Abroad, it opens up a whole new set of opportunities that you never even considered."

As a partner in the CBIE Learning Abroad Innovation Zone and Learning Abroad Promotion Zone, SFU commits to identifying and addressing internal barriers to learning abroad and to participate in peer discussions with other post-secondary institutions across the country that are tackling similar issues and challenges.

In addition, SFU will contribute to a national communications campaign to promote the value of learning abroad to students and other stakeholders by creating and sharing content on the impact and outcomes from learning abroad.

“Canada is faced with the challenge of getting more of our students to take advantage of learning experiences in other countries,” says Karen McBride, president and CEO of CBIE. “It is time to leverage the leadership role of education institutions in a concerted and coordinated effort to give our generation of young leaders the knowledge, skills and global outlook they will need to thrive in our interconnected world.”

CBIE will provide support by organizing webinars and thematic peer discussions throughout the year to allow institutions to discuss challenges and approaches to common goals, and identify best practices.

Beyond the Blog

SFU News
visibility  164
Feb 28, 2017

You Might Like These... International, Life Experience, Co-operative Education

Korea
International Spotlight: Korea

Bordered by China, Russia, and separated from Japan by the Korea Strait, Korea makes for a strong international hub of Asia.

California
International Spotlight: California

Sunny California is not only one of the favorite tourist destinations but also a state with a variety of opportunities.

Kaleigh sitting on a cliff staring out to the wilderness
My Co-op Work Term in Gaborone | Part Two

In Part 2 of her series, Health Sciences Co-op student Kaleigh Banister gets into the local Gabarone culture and takes a bit of time to explore the natural wonders she’s surrounded by.

You Might Like These... Intercultural Communication

An image of the author on a balcony overlooking Spain
My Journey to Understanding the Importance of Intercultural Communication

"I realized that as time went on, I was having difficulties connecting and adapting to this new culture I believe this sprouted from the strong language barrier and my inability to communicate with most of my co-workers". Read Aileen's story about how she overcame culture clashing and engage in intercultural communication. 

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.

Bolivia
Jeff Lemon's Bolivia Experience

Jeff took Bolivia by storm, working with the Centro Integral de Desarrollo Economico Comunitario (CIDECO), as part of the Bolivian CED Project. Find out more about how his International experience impacted his career journey.