Students connect ahead of upcoming international learning experiences
More than 200 students registered to go abroad over the next year gathered in the International and Graduate Affairs Building for an outbound student social event earlier this month.
The event created an opportunity for students to meet other students who are travelling to the same location, as well as to hear from staff who offered tips on preparing to travel and what to expect when they arrive.
“We want to bring participants together so they can make connections before they go, where possible, and where we could also be available to answer any questions they have,” said Eunjung Riauka, director of international learning at Western.
“We have nearly 350 students heading out on Western international programs this summer who will be leaving anywhere between May 1 and the beginning of July.”
Several different types of international learning experiences are offered and coordinated through Western International, including exchange, study abroad, research, faculty-led experiences, and internships.
There are also different options for program length, which provides students with more flexibility to fit the right global learning experience into their degree program.
Kriti Bhatt, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Health Sciences, will be heading to the University of Leeds in England in July.
“I’ve never been outside of North America on my own, and I didn’t know there was a summer exchange option until recently. When I found out there was, I jumped on it! I think it’s a great way to reward myself for all my hard work this year, to meet new friends and to take some unique courses I haven’t seen offered anywhere else,” she said. “I think it’s going to be something that I’ll always remember from my undergraduate degree.”
Learn more about international learning experiences at goabroad@uwo.ca.
Pictured left: Kriti Bhatt and Harjot Sidhu, two Western students preparing to travel abroad for international exchanges this summer.
