Need an escape from the winter blahs? Plan your international educational adventure

If you’ve been dreaming of travelling to amazing destinations, meeting new people and learning new things, now’s the time to make them a reality – and earn credit while you do it!

Jonathan Martens, international engagement coordinator with MacEwan International, says the impact of international experiences can’t be overstated. “It’s truly transformative. Students say the real learning begins when they step out of their comfort zone and throw themselves into something new.”

Last summer alone, MacEwan students travelled to Ecuador, Sweden, South Korea, France, Portugal and Czechia – many had such incredible experiences that they now volunteer for Education Abroad to help spread the word about these opportunities.

And if graduation is on the horizon, these experiences are a great way to set yourself apart from the competition when it comes to jobs and grad school applications, says Martens. “It builds your communication skills and network, and the kind of maturity that really shows in an interview.”

Here are the five ways Martens says students can use travel to enhance their academic experience.

1. Summer programs: Short and sweet

Summer programs can be as little as three weeks or as long as two months at universities in South America, Europe and Asia. Check in with a program or academic advisor to ensure the courses you plan to take there will transfer back to your degree or diploma at MacEwan.

Taking two summer classes at Lille Catholic University was one of the best experiences I've ever had.

Claudia Torres

2. Exchange programs: Set aside a term or two

MacEwan has exchange agreements with over 20 universities worldwide – from Sweden and Finland to Japan and Korea. Students spend one or two terms studying full-time while paying regular tuition to MacEwan. Most students can earn transfer credits for the courses they take while they’re on an exchange.

Studying at Linköping University in Sweden was an eye-opening journey that has shaped my educational and personal growth.

Jacqueline Ivanc, Bachelor of Communication Studies student

3. Internships: Travel with a side of work experience

Internships are a great way to put what you’re learning at MacEwan into practice. Different internship opportunities are tied to your major – there are currently opportunities in business, communications, arts and cultural management, arts and science and more.

I went to Lisbon, Portugal, for my internship, and what an experience it was! Living and working in a foreign country deepened my cultural understanding and broadened my global perspective.

Tyler White, Bachelor of Commerce student

4. Field schools: Take your course on the road

Keep an eye out for a range of options tied directly to your program. Dr. Michael Gulayets, for example, is running a sociology field school in the spring of 2024 that collaborates with students in a Ukrainian university and has MacEwan students meeting up in Poland with students from Ukraine.

5. Study tours: Bring your prof with you

Several MacEwan programs offer optional study tours. Bachelor of Child and Youth Care students are off to Ireland this term with faculty members Jenny McGrath and Christine Pope. The School of Business also has two tours this spring open to all MacEwan students – the United Arab Emirates tour is already fully booked, but there are still spaces left on their tour to Kenya in April with Dr. Noufou Ouedraogo!

Ready to take the next step?

Head to the Study Abroad page on MacEwan.ca to explore the possibilities and plan to attend a study abroad info session where advisors can help you find the best option for you, answer your questions and discuss budgets.

“Our volunteers also share more about their experiences and what they enjoyed most about their time abroad,” says Martens. After that, you can book an appointment with MacEwan International to walk through the process and documents you’ll need.