Breakaway for a semester abroad
“Everyone should look into this,” says Concordia business student Eddy Elsagh, describing the International Student Exchange Program (SEP) that brought him to Japan for one semester last year.
“It is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” agrees Christine Archer, Concordia International Liaison Officer.
The SEP is facilitated by Concordia International for students who meet eligibility requirements. Participants usually attend one semester at a host institution, yet in some cases can stay an entire year.
Concordia International helps ferry off more than 300 exchange students annually to destinations such as Africa, Europe, France and the Middle East.
While experiencing another culture is a benefit, continuing on a chosen academic path remains the key. “This is not a vacation,” cautions Archer. “Participants are there to pursue their degree.”
Students are generally happy with their decisions, says Archer: “I haven’t met a student who has gone and thought they shouldn’t have.”
Adapting to new customs and learning Japanese while earning credits towards his Bachelor of Commerce was an experience that Elsagh found very valuable. “I am interested in working abroad,” he says. “It was good to have this international exposure.”
Minimum 3.0 GPA required
While enthusiasm for travel is necessary, it’s not the only requirement. Full-time students in good academic standing, with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and who have completed a minimum of 24 undergraduate or nine graduate credits, are eligible for the program.
Departure is conditional on a student’s department and Faculty granting permission for an international experience. Once an application has been submitted and eligibility requirements met, additional factors come into play: availability of spots, suitability of host program to student degree and seriousness of student interest.
Students usually participate in exchanges during the second year of a three-year study program.
Cost need not be a deterrent
Students should not let the heavy tuition fees of other institutions deter them. One of the benefits of participating in the exchange program is that students pay Concordia tuition fees instead of the international fees of the host institution.
What’s more, the Ministère de l’Éducation des Loisirs et des Sports (MELS) offers bursaries to students who qualify as Quebec residents and are contemplating studying outside of Quebec.
This is not a competition, but is guaranteed to all students who meet the requirements.
Depending on the location of the host institution, the MELS bursary may cover all or a portion of the monthly living expenses.
Although this bursary is awarded by the MELS, it is administered jointly by Concordia International and the Concordia Financial Aid and Awards Office. In the end, students may only have to pay transportation fees, miscellaneous university fees and health insurance.
Until January 20, Concordia International will hold information sessions three times per week: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 3 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m. in Room 103, Annex X (2080 Mackay).
Students who wish to apply must attend an information session; application deadline for the fall 2011 and full year programs is February 1, 2011.
According to Archer, this golden opportunity shouldn’t be missed: “You may never get a chance like this again. Students get to travel, meet new people, and get an education at an affordable cost.”
Related links:
• Concordia International
• MELS busary