UofC " This Is Now

Study Abroad for U of C Students

International Students

International Projects & Development

"Recruiting excellent students and providing them with a fulfilling educational experience are keys to our broad mission and to our success as a university. In short, the programs and experience we offer must be appropriate to the needs, aspirations, and futures of our students, and must meet society's need for qualified people in many areas" Raising Our Sights, Academic Plan.

"UC Global" is committed to raising the profile of the U of C worldwide and making the university an attractive destination for international students, academics and researchers as well as providing options for students to study around the world as part of their University of Calgary degree. Increasingly, problems are international in their dimensions and require global solutions as countries are linked culturally, economically and ecologically. University graduates require skills which enable them to find solutions in a world characterized by a diversity of languages, religions, living standards, technological standards, historical perspectives and cultural values.

The University of Calgary has over 2100 international students registered on campus (Fall 2009) from 100 countries. In addition, our alumni, including Canadians, are living in all areas of the world, proving the importance of an international education. The U of C offers major entrance scholarships and awards for 1^st year undergraduate international students as well as a number of awards for continuing students. It is a part of the U of C support for internationalization and to international students. The University of Calgary also has agreements to receive funded/scholarship students from a number of countries.

In Fall 2006 President Weingarten announced an ambitious plan that the University of Calgary would have 30% of its graduating class having a study abroad experience. All undergraduate programs provide an international component to the program which may include study abroad (Student Exchange, Groups Study Programs, research, practicum, Internships or independent study). Students may enhance their academic program, employment prospects and personal growth by studying abroad for a term or year. In 2008 grants valued at more than $500,000 were awarded to U of C students to support study abroad activities, mainly at the undergraduate level.

The University of Calgary offers a variety of study abroad options in more than 35 countries including: Student Exchange Programs for a term or full year; Semester Abroad Programs in India, Czech Republic and Spain with U of C courses taught on site; Field Schools to selected sites which offer intensive study opportunities abroad with U of C faculty members during Spring and Summer Sessions and Block Weeks. Students may also use their initiative to design their own program of study.

Study abroad is a valuable intellectual experience but is also demanding, particularly where a student is exposed to a different culture and another language. While some study programs require knowledge of a language other than English, not all the U of C exchange partners expect a student to be fluent in order to participate. It is possible to combine study abroad with language learning.

The U of C has over 250 international alliances that include collaborative research, joint academic and scientific studies, collaborative degrees and student exchanges, training programs, internships and practicums.

The University's International education, international development, international business, student exchange and study abroad programs involve many countries around the world. For further details consult the International Directory available at http://www.ucalgary.ca/international.

UC Global is headed by Professor Carol Stewart, Vice Provost International http://www.ucalgary.ca/provost/vp/vpint.

Highlights

• The Faculty of Medicine has Health Exhange Programs with Faculty, students or research trainees in : Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia; Zamboanga, Philippines; Harbin, China; Sapporo and Takamatsu, Japan; Concepcion, Chile; Bangkok, Thailand; Vientiane, Laos; and South Korea.
• Education students at the University of Calgary and the Hokkaido University of Education in Japan engage in exchange visits to learn about the education system in the host country.
• Agreements with universities in Australia permit Student Exchanges in Adelaide, Brisbane,, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Newcastle.
• A variety of short-and long-term English as a Second Language programs are offered at the University of Calgary
• Curriculum redesign requires every undergraduate program at the University of Calgary to include an international component.
• The University of Calgary has developed a Master's program in energy and the environment offered in Quito, Ecuador.
• Student groups such as AIESEC or Engineers Without Borders are active on campus.
• Schulich 1, the U of C Solar Car, has participated in competitions in USA and Australia.
• The Student Refugee Committee of the Students' Union sponsors one new refugee student at the University of Calgary each year through World University Services of Canada (WUSC).
• New student orientation programs assist International students to become comfortable with their new environment
• The University of Calgary's Co-op program offers a limited number of placements in European institutions.
• A term abroad in Barcelona, Spain is offered annually to EVDS and Fine Arts students.
• UC Qatar offers Bachelor of Nursing degree to residents of the Gulf region.
• The University of Calgary offers Semester Abroad programs in India, the Czech Republic and Spain.
• In 2009, more than 1000 University of Calgary students studied abroad as part of their degree programs. Many participate in spring or summer schools abroad.
• 2100 international students from 100 countries are registered at the University of Calgary.