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International

International

From anywhere across the globe, there is an opportunity waiting for you

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Welcome

International experiences are an invaluable asset to your personal and professional development. SFU provides its students with many opportunities to study, work or volunteer abroad. As these stories show, when you travel internationally, you learn to step out of your comfort zone, embrace risk and become accustomed to different ways of living. Many of our SFU community have seized these opportunities, and in turn authored these stories, tips and strategies on how to prepare for your international trip, developing your cultural intelligence and building international networks.

"Why Would Ever You Choose to Work in India?”

India can be a catalyst for personal growth and a life-changing opportunity for those who are bold enough to explore beyond the tantalizing edge of that comfy, complacent comfort zone.

Real Talk: Is an International Co-op Worth It?

International Co-op is a great opportunity for you to work on self-reflection and personal growth. It pushes you into an unfamiliar and challenging situation wherein you must learn to adapt.

Christiane smiling
Spring: Those Little Places

In the winter of 2013, SFU Geography student Christiane Pulluau trekked to La Paz, Bolivia to work with a CED (Community Economic Development) group. In her final instalment she shares some of her favourite places.

christiane with co-workers
March: Arts and Culture

In the winter of 2013, SFU Geography student Christiane Pulluau trekked to La Paz, Bolivia to work with a CED (Community Economic Development) group. She shared her diary entries with us, and we present the third insallment: Arts and Culture in March.

Group of elderly Bolivians
February: A Little Bird Told Me

In the winder of 2013, SFU Geography student Christiane Pulluau trekked to La Paz, Bolivia to work with a CED (Community Economic Development) group. She shared her diary entries with us, this is part two of her adventure.

Image of beach; Copacabana
February: Arrivals and Carnaval Times

In the winter of 2013, SFU Geography student Christiane Pulluau trekked to La Paz, Bolivia to work with a CED (Community Economic Development) group. She shared her diary entries with us, and part one is featured here.

Yuka smiling over a tank of sharks she is taking care of
Student Profile: Biology Student Yuka Obayashi

Biology Co-op student Yuka Obayashi returned from her self-directed International Co-op at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in the Kunigami District of Okinawa, Japan with a new-found appreciation for marine wildlife.

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.

Fuji mountain on Unsplash
Ritik's Japanese Co-op Adventure
Ritik had a pretty amazing time in Japan while on his International Co-op term with BOSCH. The projects he worked on may have been classifed, but the fun he had sure wasn't, and he's here to share it with you.
Picture of Season at SFU
Volunteering To Transition Into A New Culture

A profile on international student and third year psychology major, Rainy Yumeng Jiang, and how community engagement and volunteering has helped her adjust to Canadian culture.
 

Lauren
Lauren's Summer at Crowne Plaza Guangzhou Science City

Lauren turned to international Co-op as a way to continue gaining work experience while exploring the world. Read about her experience working for a high end international hotel chain in China.

Three men in swim gear standing closely together on a boat in the ocean.
Severin's Tropical, Scuba Diving Co-op Adventure

In summer of 2013, SFU Biomedical Physiology student Severin Vaillancourt headed to The Bahamas as a Field Research Assistant with the school's Marine Ecology Lab. He shared recollections of his underwater adventures and more with International Co-op.

Angie Yu
Interview Tips: Embassy of Canada

SFU Beedie Business student Angie Yu is relocating to China this summer for an International Co-op position with the Embassy of Canada. She recently spoke with International Co-op Communications Assistant, Kiran Dhanoa and shared details about her interview and offered tips for others wishing to find work at an embassy or consulate.

The Eiffel Tower
Travel Your Career

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?

Chesa and coworkers surrounding a mascot fox
Berlin Start-Up Life

"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware". Chesa went all the way to Berlin for her co-op term. She's currently working at an ever-growing mobile app start-up and loving every minute. The experience has shown her what opportunities can be possible when you open yourself to the world.

David at a Japanese tourist location
Going International With CJCP
Considering going International for your next Co-op experience? Read about how David went to Japan to utilize his engineering experience with the Canada Japan Co-op Program.
Carey and coworkers smiling together
My Journey With TaLK: Bumpy and Uncertain Beginnings

The TaLK program offers an incredible opportunity to live and work in Korea as an english teacher to a group of Korean speaking elementary school students. One SFU student is currently teaching in Korea, and shares her experience with us.

Image of the Author sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean
Building Your Wings: Jeannette's Unforgettable Bolivian Experience

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.

View of Hong Kong
Pursuing an International Co-op in Hong Kong: HSBC Global Banking and Markets

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.

Image of a person lying down with people standing on top
Sean's International Experience in Bolivia

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.

A group of houses in Poland
Co-op Poland: Evan's International Adventure of Self Exploration

University can be a draining experience. So how to do you recharge yourself without delaying your academic or professional plans? Why not go on an international co-op placement? Check out BPK student Evan Hutcheon's adventure, reflections and experiences he gained working in Poland.

Wollongong
Brittney's Journey of Career Exploration in Australia | Part One
Brittney Merryweather is a force when it comes to International Co-op. Not one to shy away from opportunities abroad, she dives into each country she goes to with gusto and an open mind for learning. In 2007 Brittney went to the University of Wollongong.
Stacey Bryant with Uganda native
Building Foundations

Stacey was given the unique opportunity to work with Schools Building Schools (SBS) as the Field Coordinator in Mbarara, Uganda.

different countries flag against the sky
Why You Should Go International...With Co-op

Before you begin your international exploration, uncover the treasures lurking behind an international Co-op. Here are five quick benefits of why you should go internationally with Co-op as opposed to going independently.

a red taxi in the streets of Hong Kong
Culture

Ever wondered what it would be like to work in Hong Kong? Yat Li shares with us in this 3-part series on his experience adapting to a new culture, living arrangement and workplace culture. Also hear about his food and city adventures exploring one of the world's most densely populated areas.

The author working with cement
Alumni Spotlight: Michael Beck on Making Change through Passion

Have you ever imagined starting your own organization? Michael Beck probably didn't either when he started his undergrad studies at SFU back in 2005. Six years later, he started a non-profit organization and just came back from an EU-sponsored tour in the UK.

Woman sitting in a small boat while floating on a lake
Go International: Why you should travel, study, and work abroad!

Have you ever considered travelling outside of Canada to work or study? Did you know that as an SFU student you have many opportunities to travel, and get credit for it? SFU International has an excellent exchange program in which you can work or study abroad!

Parking station for an electric vehicle
Greening Your Travel Choices

While it may seem daunting to move or travel to a new place and maintain a sustainable lifestyle when you don’t have personal and cultural resources at your fingertips, there are several ways that you can practice sustainability while travelling and living abroad.

A woman flying away
International Students: Break Through The Wall That Blocks You!

Are you an international student that feels like there is a wall that stops you from moving forward? Are you trying to improve your language level, but feel embarrassed communicating in English? You're not the only one. But there are people who are reaching their goals. Find your inspiration and become one of them.

Departures
Your 101 Guide on Working Out-of Province

While it is difficult to secure a co-op or internship placement in today’s declining job market, out-of-province work experience is even harder to come by. If you are going to relocate soon or are thinking about doing an out-of-province co-op or internship, here are some must-know tips and information to help you make the transition smoothly and successfully!

Drexel University
Paul’s Journey to Landing His First Co-op Job

Take a read at this interview with Paul as he shares with us his first co-op experience at Drexel University in Philadelphia. 

True or False picture
The Nuts and Bolts of International Co-op

This is a myth buster on some of student’s misconceptions about International Co-op. Test your own knowledge with a short true and false quiz and discover the truth about International Co-op!