International Education: UC Global

Study Abroad and Student Exchange Programs

International Student Programs

International Projects & Research

"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 2002-2006

"UCGlobal" is committed to raising the profile of the UofC 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 1900 international students registered on campus (Fall 2007) from 100 countries. In addition, our alumni, including Canadians, are living in all areas of the world, proving the importance of an international education. Beginning in 2007 the UofC offered major entrance scholarships and awards for 1^st year undergraduate students as well as a number of awards for continuing students. It is a part of the UofC support for internationalization and to international students. The University of Calgary has agreements to receive funded/scholarship students from a number of countries including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Kazakhstan.

In Fall 2006 President Weingarten announced an ambitious plan that by 2010 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). Enhance your academic program, employment prospects and personal growth by studying abroad for a term or year. International experience is a desirable notation on a graduate's transcript.

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 China, India, Czech Republic, Spain and Thailand 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.

Studying 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. A number of university departments collaborate to offer 'International Studentships' (grants of $500 - $2000) to support U of C students including an international study experience in their program.

Students unable to study abroad may get involved with international activities on campus: volunteering with international offices or taking part in events to promote discussion and an international understanding: refer to "Make Your Degree More International" section of University Calendar for more information .

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. These include participation in:

Program for North American Mobility in Higher Education

1. North American Mobility in Higher Education: North American Scholars Program

2. "Designing a Professional Practice Curriculum for Cross-Cultural Mobility and Community Engagement" (2003) EVDS

Canada-European Community Program for Co-operation in Higher Education & Training

1. A Multidisciplinary, Distributed, Cooperative Education Initiative in Software Engineering

2. Canadian-European Cooperation on Regulatory Issues in National Resources, Environmental and Energy Studies

3. Biotechnology and Managed Biodiversity in Agriculture and the Environment

4. "The Displaced Persons Project: A Euro-Canada Social Work Exchange" (2005)

The University of Calgary opened its first branch campus "UofC Qatar" in Fall 2007. Initially it will offer a Bachelors of Nursing and post degree diploma programs to residents of the Gulf region.

U of C offers study abroad opportunities in the following countries (2008/09):

Americas

Antigua
Argentina
Belize
Brazil
Chile
Ecuador
Mexico
Cuba
Peru
United States

Africa/Middle East

Ghana
South Africa
Turkey

Asia/Pacific

Australia
China
Hong Kong (SAR)
India
Japan
New Zealand
Republic of Korea (S. Korea)
Singapore
Taiwan
Thailand
Vietnam

Europe

Austria
Belgium
CzechRepublic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
The Netherlands
Norway
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

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 Dr. Tim Goddard, Vice Provost International http://www.ucalgary.ca/provost/international/.

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 will 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.
Each year, International Week on campus highlights international issues and opportunities.
UC Qatar offers Bachelor of Nursing degree to residents of the Gulf region.
The University of Calgary offers Semester Abroad programs in India, China, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Thailand.
In 2007, more than 1000 University of Calgary students studied abroad as part of their degree programs. Many participate in spring or summer schools abroad.
1900 international students for 100 countries are registered at the University of Calgary.