After You're Back in Canada
If you've just returned to Canada and/or KPU, here are 4 important steps to help you move forward with your exchange experience:
- Arrange for your official transcript to be provided in either paper or electronic format to internationalprograms@kpu.ca to complete your learning agreement and begin the process of transfer credits.
- Note that after the transcript is received, it will be shared with KPU'S transfer credit specialist and may take 1 month for the credits to be processed.
- When they are processed, the transfer credits will be added to the semester according to the date the specialist processes the transfer and can be viewed on your OSS account.
- Complete your Post-Experience Evaluation Form (Mandatory)
- Meet with your Study Abroad coordinator to check-in and let us know how your exchange went (Mandatory)
- Attend a KPU group Re-Entry Session (Mandatory)
Integrating Your International Interest and Knowledge back Home
Share your first-hand knowledge of your host institution/city/country/culture with people who want to hear about it by...
- Completing your Returned Student Involvement Form (Mandatory) to let us know how you would like to stay involved with study abroad related events, communication, and opportunities
- Requesting your copy of the Study Abroad Re-Entry Toolkit by emailing internationalprograms@kpu.ca. This package is built for students navigating the many aspects of returning home from a study abroad experience. The Toolkit includes videos, activities, and helpful suggestions to unpack and move forward with your experience of studying abroad. Go beyond telling people "it was great!" by exploring the nuances of what it was like for you to study abroad, and what it's like to be back in Canada.
- Signing up to become a Global Buddy and help support incoming exchange students that come to KPU
- Attending the annual KPU Study Abroad Social during International Focus Week (Late October/ Early November)
- Asking KPU Study Abroad to introduce you to other Exchange Students who understand what it's like to be on an exchange (e.g. Incoming students at KPU, past Outgoing students who've also returned)
- Discussing your experience in class with your instructor and other students, and finding out who else has (or wants to) experience working/living/studying in other countries
- Connecting locally with your home away from home (host country) through events related to your host-culture, and volunteerism/membership in local host-culture related professional & cultural groups
Looking Forward with your International Connection
Give some thought about why, how and when you'd like to revisit your host country or go abroad. Consider...
- Reconnecting with friends, institutions and networks from your study abroad experience
- Revisiting and reflecting on places that are meaningful to you
- Exploring further, travelling to other locations as tourist
- Working Holiday visas (Temporary flexible visas with work-permission)
- International Internships
- Immigrating temporarily or permanently to your host country (e.g. Permanent Residency or a Work Visa)
Leveraging Your Experience
Explore ways to apply your experience abroad that increase your learning, the value gained and opportunities for growth back in Canada
- Earn back some of the money you spent abroad by applying for scholarships, incorporating your lessons, insights, and experiences abroad into a compelling application
- Volunteer to be interviewed about your exchange (contact internationalprograms@kpu.ca)
- Share photos and video clips from your exchange with KPU International to encourage KPU students to study abroad
- Explore your options for working abroad in the future to gain more international experience
- Join the Canadian Learning Abroad Alumni Community on LinkedIn to connect with and see the 500+ other study abroad alumni throughout Canada
Check out these pages for even more ideas, resources, and examples of how you can continue to grow both personally and professionally, after your study abroad experience.
- How to Talk to Employers About Study Abroad
- Quiz - What kind of international competencies do you have?
- After Study Abroad - Career Information
- The Other Side of Education Abroad: Same City, Different Results
- Effective Marketing of Your Study Abroad Experience to Employers
- All Abroad Career Development Tools
- How Study Abroad Contributes to Career Readiness: 8 Studies
- Global Education for Canadians Equipping Young Canadians to Succeed at Home & Abroad - Figure 2.2: Global Education Fosters 21st Century Workplace Skills and Competencies
