Glossary

This glossary of common terms associated with International Learning has been created as a guide for Western students, faculty and staff in discussing and planning International Learning experiences. The definitions provided here are specific to Western, but rely in large part on the lexicon provided through the Canadian Bureau for International Education. 

Exchange
A program of study whereby partner institutions establish a reciprocal agreement which enables students to pay tuition at their home institution and to register and study at the host partner institution with credit transferred back to the home institution. The program duration is for one to two semesters, a summer or short-term study period.

Study Abroad
A program of study whereby partner institutions establish an agreement which enables students to register, study, and pay tuition at the host partner institution with credit transferred back to the home institution. The program duration is for one to two semesters, a summer or short-term study period.

Letter of Permission
A mechanism which allows students to temporarily transfer to another institution where an institutional partnership agreement does not exist and have course credit transferred back to their home institution. Tuition and fees are paid to the host institution.

Summer Program
An umbrella term referring to any for credit short-term learning programs abroad conducted over the summer months, including exchange or study abroad.

Community Engaged Learning
A credit or non-credit activity abroad that emphasizes learning about social issues, and which involves community partners/organizations.

Alternative Spring Break
A one or two week Community Engaged Learning experience conducted during Reading Week in February or October, or at the beginning of May.

Internship, Clinical or Field Placement, Practicum
A work, clinical, field, or practicum placement abroad, usually working in a pseudo-professional capacity, where the primary motivation is educational. Internships, clinical or field placements, and practicums may be for-credit or non-credit and paid or unpaid.

Faculty-Led Program
A structured group learning activity under the supervision of a home-institution faculty member comprising of credit course(s). Educational activities are centered on a portion of the learning taking place abroad, outside the classroom. Students register, pay tuition and program fees to the home institution.

Research
A for-credit or non-credit research project abroad carried out by a student.

Scholarly Conference
An academic conference or symposium abroad providing a channel for presentations, learning, and the exchange of information between students, researchers, and academics.

Joint Academic Program
An integrated degree-awarding program of study established by partner institutions whereby meeting the academic requirements results in students obtaining one degree awarded by one of the participating institutions, or two degrees awarded by each participating institution. Examples include, Cotutelle, Dual Degree, 2+2, 3+1 programs, etc.

  • Cotutelle: A graduate program involving joint thesis supervision of a student by professors at a home and host institution. Provided the student meets the degree requirements of both institutions, two individual degrees may be awarded to the student, one from each institution. Arrangements for cotutelle are made on an individual basis for each student.
  • Dual Degree: An institutional agreement used to develop common degree requirements which meet the academic requirements at both the host and home institutions such that a student receives two degrees, one from each institution.
  • 2+2: A dual degree program, whereby students spend two years in each degree program. Generally students spend the first two years at the home institution and the last two years at the host institution.  Upon successful completion of all requirements for both programs students are awarded two degrees, one from each institution.
  • 3+1: A joint degree program, whereby students spend the first three years in the degree program at their home institution and the last year as non-degree students at the host institution. Upon successful completion of all requirements for both programs students are awarded a degree from their home institution.