Global Experiences
A passport to new thinking for UCalgary students
Ready to apply? Have more questions? We're here to help
Gain a new perspective
It's more than just studying abroad.
Global Experiences teach you confidence, help you discover new ways of looking at the world, and give you a set of skills that will enhance your academic journey and set you up for future success — wherever you end up in the world!
Students on a Global Classroom program in Ghana.
Ebenezer Belayneh
Important dates
Take your experience with you
More than just the memories, there's a full suitcase of reasons to go abroad with your learning!
Global Experiences 101
Let us be your guide to Global Experiences!
With over 175 partners and programs available to UCalgary students, we'll find the right fit for your academic and career goals, budget and personal interests. Doing an exchange or Global Classroom gives you more than just the ability to travel — but there's also that! There are numerous personal, academic and professional benefits to going abroad for your learning, from taking unique courses not offered at UCalgary to enhancing your employability.
Going to India was so unexpected, and yet so fulfilling. I immersed myself in the culture, which is complex, and so vibrant, unique, and beautiful. The best part of it all was meeting the people there, and the relationships I built in such a short period of time. I grew a lot both personally and professionally.
Leancy Robles
Faculty of Social Work
Types of Global Experiences
Definitions
Exchange programs are partnerships UCalgary has with universities all over the world. You pay your regular UCalgary tuition to study at another institution, transferring your credit back to UCalgary when you're done.
Fee-paying usually refers to short-term programs where you pay the host university directly.
Also known as a "term" or "trimester", for Global Experiences, semester usually refers to exchange programs that are the length of one academic term.
Exchange programs that are a full year in length, usually two academic terms.
Short term global experiences are anything less than a semester in length, usually 4 – 6 weeks (but this varies by the program).
Summer programs take place in the Spring/Summer term and may be either exchange or fee-paying. Many universities have specific summer programs they run for international students.
When we refer to GPA, it's as a minimum requirement for the program, usually set by the host university. For example, "2.5 GPA" means that a student must have at least a 2.5 GPA at the time of applying to participate in that program. Most start at 2.5 GPA but some require as high as 3.2 GPA.
Some universities offer classes only in the country's language and usually you have to meet minimum language requirements to be accepted. Some international universities offer instruction in English as well. When we tag a program with "Japanese" and "English" for example, that school offers classes in both. You can look at the program page for detailed information on requirements for language.
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Academic benefits
- Take unique courses not offered at UCalgary.
- Earn credits towards your degree program.
- Diversify your education and experience different instruction styles.
- Study in a global hub for your field—many of our programs and partners offer top-ranked instruction in a variety of disciplines.
- Research and network with potential master's programs.
- 90% of students who studied abroad got in to their 1st or 2nd choice grad school.
- Students who study abroad improve their GPA twice as quickly as their peers.
- Make new connections at UCalgary like Global Classroom peers, other students who have studied abroad, and instructors and advisors from across campus.
- Study and travel at the same time, reducing costs if you travelled independently.
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Personal benefits
- Live in another country and make it your home base for travel.
- Find an international community—create connections for future travel, build a professional network, and learn about other places around the world.
- Develop your communication and/or language skills.
- Become more independent, challenge yourself, and increase your ability to see the world from various perspectives.
- Learn how to budget effectively.
- Gain unique experiences that other students may not have.
- Students who have studied abroad say that their experience had a lasting impact on their perception of the world.
- Most students say that their Global Experience increased their maturity, self-confidence, and tolerance for ambiguity.
- Make a difference in the world, your campus, and your community. Some of our past alumni were inspired by their studies abroad to bring about change here in Calgary.
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Professional benefits
- Add your Global Experience to your resume.
- Many students find that their experience influences their career choices.
- On average, students who have studied abroad earn 25% higher starting salaries than peers.
- Build an international professional network.
- Prepare yourself for an international workplace.
- Students who have studied abroad are less likely to face unemployment.
- The majority of study abroad alums found work within the first 12 months of graduating, while only 49% of their peers did.
- You can participate in peer mentorship opportunities for international students at UCalgary which can be used on a resume or to build professional connections.