U of G celebrates 10 years of international education
The University of Guelph’s Centre for International Programs (CIP) celebrated its 10th annual International Education Week to create awareness about the opportunities and benefits for students studying abroad.
From Nov. 7 to Nov. 11, the CIP set up a number of booths in the courtyard of the University Centre displaying student photography and information about studying abroad.
One of the primary benefits of studying abroad is that “Students learn other cultures’ perspectives and it opens their mind to different ways of learning,” said Ernest Damalie, international education intern for CIP, in an interview with The Ontarion. “Students gain independence and challenge themselves in a setting outside of their comfort zone.”
Throughout the week, CIP presented three different events to provide information and insight into international education, including: an international mingle where a combination of past, present, and future study abroad students met up to share their experiences with the program; a resume workshop to help them articulate their experiences studying abroad and apply it to their resume; and a “Show Us Your World” photography contest.
University of Guelph students who have studied abroad have taken incredible photos all over the world. This year, in honour of the 10th annual photo contest, CIP wanted to showcase some of the best photos from the last 10 years. Spectators walking through the UC were able to view the beautiful photos that were taken by fellow students everywhere from Barbados, to Bali, to Belgium.
“The most beautiful aspect is you learn other cultures’ perspectives, you possibly see only through your lens, but once you give yourself the opportunity to travel it opens your mind,” said Damalie, who came to the University of Guelph from Ghana as a graduate student.
Three of the main study abroad options offered for students at the University of Guelph are exchange, semester abroad, and summer programs.
The exchange program allows students to choose from more than 100 universities in over 30 countries. The students who choose this option then travel to a host university and complete a semester or a full year there. The host university teaches the courses taken on exchange and the credits transfer back to the student’s degree at the University of Guelph.
The semester abroad program is slightly different. In this program, students complete their formal University of Guelph semesters overseas. A faculty member from the University of Guelph takes a group of up to 25 students and arranges accommodations, field trips, and courses. The courses are taught by the semester abroad coordinator and other local faculty contracted by Guelph. The summer field school programs are set up similarly but range in length from two to six weeks.
While the programs can be costly, they give students international experience, allow them to network internationally, and illustrate their workplace adaptability to future employers.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how international education develops in the years to come, but more importantly to see the significant contribution of international education students to the university community,” Damalie told The Ontarion.
In the future, the CIP hopes more students embrace studying abroad opportunities and join the studying abroad community in order to help it make a positive contribution to the University of Guelph.
Photo courtesy of George Hodanvia CC0-1.0.