The learning that occurs when we go outside of our comfort zone and throw ourselves into something new can be truly transformative. 

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

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. Learning abroad shows employers you have stellar communication skills, a broad global perspective, cultural sensitivity and the kind of maturity that can really show in an interview.

Here are the four ways you can use travel to enhance your 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 abroad will transfer back to your degree or diploma at MacEwan.

2. Exchange programs: Set aside a term or two

MacEwan has exchange agreements with over 20 universities worldwide – from Ecuador and Korea to Switzerland and Germany. 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.  

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 opportunities are tied to your major. Some examples include internships for communication studies, arts and cultural management, commerce, design and computer science, but the offerings change, so check the list or email educationabroad@macewan.ca to see if there are any for your program of study. 

Ready to take the next step?

Head to the Education Abroad page on MacEwan.ca to explore the possibilities, then plan to attend aninfo session where advisors can help you find the best option for you, answer your questions and discuss budgets. Students and volunteers are often on hand at these info sessions to share their experiences of their time abroad. 

Once you have a handle on the basics, you can book an appointment with MacEwan International to walk through the process and documents you’ll need. 

Safe travels!