Press Releases

Need A Change After Graduation? Travel Abroad For Grad School

By Cassandra Jowett
TalentEgg.ca

After graduating from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics and working for a few years in Vancouver as a Technical Support Analyst, Oscar Plag wasn’t particularly happy with his job. He needed a change. A big one.

So, last May, he decided that he wanted to study abroad. “I thought going to grad school outside of Canada would give me some perspective and experience,” he says. “Also, I knew it would be lots of fun!”

Oscar knew he wanted to complete a graduate degree in computer vision, so he researched a number of different options and settled on University College London’s Masters in Computer Graphics, Vision and Imaging program in the UK because of the school’s reputation and central London location.

Since he would be abroad for a whole year, from September 2011 through September 2012, he had to tie up all of the loose ends here in Canada – he quit his job, got rid of his apartment and prepared to move.

“Moving across the globe to a different country can seem very overwhelming and difficult, but it’s well worth it!” says Oscar. “There are a lot of things to take care of both before you leave and after you arrive, but if you just put your mind to it and tackle each task one at a time, it’s really not too bad.”

Upon arriving in London, he stayed with a cousin for the first few weeks and then found his own flat. (Sounds very London-y already!) He says he missed his friends and family back in Canada almost immediately, but he made an effort to make new friends as quickly as possible to avoid feeling homesick.

And although his workload at school is a bit heavier than he’s used to, he’s already had the opportunity to travel around Europe and experience many different countries, customs and cultures, including trips to Sweden, Spain and Morocco!

“It’s a great way to get a different perspective on life and education. Having the opportunity to live in a different country is much different than just visiting it,” he says. “You get to see and experience everyday life instead of just visiting all of the main tourist attractions and moving on. It really allows you to see the world and even Canada from a different side.”

Discover the world of education and travel at the upcoming Study and Go Abroad Fairs, to be held in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto in March! Click here to pre-register online.

TalentEgg.ca is Canada’s leading job site and career resource for students and recent graduates

Study Abroad In One European City, Travel The Entire Continent While You're There

By Cassandra Jowett
TalentEgg.ca

If you were going to study abroad and you had to choose either Vienna, Austria, or Rome, Italy, which city would you pick?

How about both? Simon Fraser University business student Janice Quan recently spent a semester studying at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, but her most memorable experience was travelling to Rome with her Italian roommate. “I got to see Rome the Italian way,” she says.

The great thing about studying in Europe is that you can have a home city, like Janice did in Vienna, but you can also travel around the continent and experience many different countries and cultures.

“I’ve always thought Vienna was a beautiful city with so much history, and it’s always been ranked quite high on liveability standards,” she says. “Another reason I chose Vienna is because the Vienna University of Economics and Business is a top business school in Europe and they offered courses in English.”

To prepare for her exchange, Janice took a few German classes to learn the basics. She also did some research about Austria and the rest of Europe so she had a good idea of where she wanted to travel from there. “I didn’t book any of my travels until I got to Europe, though, because plans always change; you meet new people and you’re never sure how much school and homework you will have.”

When she arrived in Vienna in September 2011, she was grateful she took the time to learn some German. Although she found that almost everyone in Vienna speaks English, they really appreciated it when she tried to speak the language. “Some people were not very receptive if you only spoke English,” she says. “As well, most signs were in German.”

For the duration of the exchange, Janice stayed in a dorm provided by a company that handles housing for most incoming exchange students. The rent was a little higher than what you would find if you rented a flat on your own, but she says it was a lot less stressful to arrive knowing you have somewhere to stay.

At school, things were very different from what she was used to in Canada. For one thing, classes don’t usually last through a whole semester as they do in Canada.

“For example, in Canada, I might take a business class that is every Monday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for the whole semester,” she explains. “In Vienna, that class might be every day for one week in November and then the class is done, while another might be every few days for a few weeks and will finish in the middle of the semester.”

She found this type of schedule to be very useful because it meant she had a lot of time to travel!

So, now that she’s back at SFU, would she recommend studying abroad to other students?

“Absolutely. When you study abroad, you not only get to live in a completely different city and really get to know it, but you get to learn in a different way. You also meet people from all over the world and develop some really great relationships and lifelong friendships,” she says.

“Studying abroad opens your eyes to the world; it challenges you and makes you more responsible and independent. I would recommend studying abroad to everyone.”
 

Janice’s Top 3 tips for studying abroad:

• Do a lot of research on the school, city and country you’re travelling to
• Learn the language before you leave
• Prepare yourself mentally for being away from home for an extended period of time – one of the other exchange students in Vienna went home after only 2 weeks because she was too homesick

Discover the world of education and travel at the upcoming Study and Go Abroad Fairs, to be held in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto in March! Click here to pre-register online.

TalentEgg.ca is Canada’s leading job site and career resource for students and recent graduates

Commerce Student: Studying Abroad Expanded My Professional Network

By Cassandra Jowett
TalentEgg.ca

Shivani Mukerji had always wanted to study abroad, but she was told it’s too expensive to complete an entire degree outside of your home country – those international student fees can be killer!

She didn’t let that stop her, though: “Studying abroad for just one semester was the next best thing,” she says.

The University of British Columbia commerce student, originally from nearby Langley, B.C., decided to study abroad to get out of her comfort zone. “I wanted to go somewhere where I had no friends and didn’t speak the language very well, and come out of it confident that I can get by and have fun anywhere!”

So, she chose to attend HEC Paris in Jouy-en-Josas, France, about 30 km outside of Paris, from September 2011 through January 2012.

Keep reading our Q&A with Shivani to learn more about her experience abroad!

Q. How did you figure out where to go and what school to attend?
A. I took French immersion, but wasn’t too confident in my French language skills, so I wanted to go to France to become properly bilingual. I’ve also always loved the European lifestyle – work to live and not live to work – so I wanted to learn more about it up close. The school I chose was also the best business school in Europe, so I knew I would benefit from the education there and have great opportunities to expand my professional network.

Q. Did you do anything to prepare before your trip?
A. I practiced my French by watching movies, listening to music and taking courses.I also did a lot of research into prices for food and transportation, which was really useful. Since I didn’t have a car during my time abroad, I got very familiar with the public transit systems in different European cities, too.

Q. Where did you stay while you were in France?
A. I lived on campus at HEC Paris while I was studying abroad. Living on campus is always amazing because you are never too far from your friends or your classes, and there is always something to do.

Q. Did you experience any “culture shock” or homesickness when you arrived?
A. When I first arrived in France, I was sure I would never get homesick because I was having so much fun! But living in a foreign country is very different from being a visitor, and the reality of starting a bank account, paying rent and sorting out a student visa are pretty difficult when you don’t speak the language or know the bureaucratic culture of a country. That’s about when I started missing the efficiency of Canada. But I overcame that once I realized that every place has good aspects and bad – both my home country and other countries.

Q. How is university life different in Canada than it is abroad?
A. There are so many differences between the educational system in Canada and Europe! And within Europe, too, each country is very different. At HEC Paris, lectures were 3 hours long once a week, and the semester was split into 2 half semesters. There was a lot more lecturing and much less participation, and more emphasis on the final exam than here at UBC. Lecturers in France are also more likely to be industry professionals rather than researchers, as at UBC.

Q. What was your most memorable experience while you were abroad?
A. I loved having the chance to be in Paris every weekend. There is so much to the city that you couldn’t possibly see as a tourist in a couple of days, and I really enjoyed being able to find my favourite areas to shop, or my favourite bookstores or cafes. I felt like I made Paris ‘my own,’ in a way.

Q. Would you recommend studying abroad to other students?
A. I think studying abroad should be mandatory for every undergrad! I learned so much more in 4 months abroad than I ever have in 4 months at home. Small things that make a huge difference when you go abroad, such as what to say to shopkeepers when you enter, how to type on non-QWERTY keyboards, how governments and corporations work in other countries: it’s an information overload that gives you an edge over the next candidate when applying to multi-national corporations!

Q. What advice do you have for other students who are considering studying abroad?
A. To absolutely go study abroad! After meeting so many students who have studied abroad, every single one of them (including myself) says that they had the time of their lives, that they wish they could have stayed longer, and that the experience has changed them for the better. There’s no better way to learn more about yourself and the world than to study abroad!

Discover the world of education and travel at the upcoming Study and Go Abroad Fairs, to be held in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto in March! Click here to pre-register online.

TalentEgg.ca is Canada’s leading job site and career resource for students and recent graduates

UBC Student Gained Lifelong Friends While Studying In Australia

By Cassandra Jowett
TalentEgg.ca

Exploring the world is on most students’ to-do lists, but most of us only take short trips to tourist destinations and never have the opportunity to completely immerse ourselves into the local culture of a foreign country.

But Monica Milowski, a University of British Columbia psychology student who is originally from Winnipeg, decided that she wanted to spend a significant time abroad about a year before she departed for Australia.

“I thought an experience traveling for a long period of time would be really beneficial and a lot of fun,” she says. “I already loved traveling and I wanted to continue exploring the world.”

To prepare, she took a semester off school to work and save money, and she even lived at home to maximize her savings. Monica had never been to Australia, but she had met a number of Australians on other trips and asked them to help her decide where to go – they recommended the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

She rented a room in a townhouse near the university and went Down Under in late February 2011 to study for 2 semesters. (If that seems weird to you, don’t forget that the seasons in Australia are the opposite of ours here in Canada!)

At first, she found that the students in Australia tended to live at home and go to school with all of their friends, so it was difficult for her to break into those already-established groups of friends. “During my first semester, it was a lot of going out and exploring Sydney with other exchange students,” she says.

Second semester was a much more positive experience than the first, though; she joined a volleyball club and met a whole group of Australians. “Joining the volleyball team was very good for me,” she says. “I found friends and a group to exercise with, and I feel like they are going to be lifelong friends!”

Since Australia is an English-speaking country with a culture very similar to our own, Monica didn’t experience any other difficulties – “I would say the biggest thing I had to overcome was figuring out the slang that Australians use.” Sounds tough, mate!

Monica says studying abroad was an extremely valuable experience for her because it forced her to go out of her comfort zone and meet new people. “I also had the opportunity to experience a new part of the world in a different way, actually living there and experiencing a lifestyle different to my own.”

Monica’s Top 3 tips for studying abroad:

• Take risks – don’t be afraid to do things you wouldn’t normally do and have no regrets
• Join a club or sports team to meet new people
• Travel the city, country or continent you’re visiting

Discover the world of education and travel at the upcoming Study and Go Abroad Fairs, to be held in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto in March! Click here to pre-register online.

TalentEgg.ca is Canada’s leading job site and career resource for students and recent graduates

'Go Big or Go Home', says McMaster Communication Studies student who opted to study in Australia

As university leaders in Canada are urging students to study abroad, Daniela Carlucci is ahead of the pack, and took a semester out last year to study in Sydney, Australia. For Daniela, it was a natural decision as she had always loved travelling and a conversation in her first year at McMaster with an exchange student who had returned from France, sold her on the idea.  Wanting to study in an English-speaking country, she chose Australia as it’s much further than Europe.  “Go Big or Go Home”, she adds.

Daniela did a lot of preparation before her trip, and was lucky enough to secure university-owned housing at the University of Sydney.  Apparently residence housing is not common in Australia and is generally reserved for new students, as most local students live at home while they study.

When asked if there are any differences between university life/education in Canada and in Australia, Daniela answers “Definitely. It sounds cliché, but everything is much more laid back in Australia. The mantra there is ‘work to live, not live to work’, and this applies to all facets of life, including student life”. 

She didn’t experience a lot of ‘culture shock’ but she did miss her friends and family, although she kept in regular contact on skype.  “It’s not the same as seeing them in person, but it’s pretty close, and I spoke to my family every day”, she explains.

When asked about her most memorable experiences, Daniela found it difficult to pick just one as there were so many – but perhaps the ones that stuck foremost in her mind were skydiving and swimming with sharks, both of which she never thought she’d actually go through with. 

Following her study abroad experience, Daniela has no hesitation in recommending other students to study abroad.  “It is one of the most liberating experiences in life. Studying abroad requires you to be adaptable, resourceful and independent. Whether you want to or not, you will grow exponentially and that is invaluable. Don’t be afraid—the things you’re afraid of are usually the most worthwhile!”

Daniela’s tips for other students considering studying abroad:

• Be Prepared!  Know as much about the place you’re going to before you arrive! Buy books, read blogs, download maps and talk to other students who have been there.  If possible, get in touch with students from your host institution that are currently on exchange at your university as they will have the best information about housing, cost of living, lifestyle, etc.
• Most importantly, make a budget and stick to it. There’s nothing worse than being unable to do all the fun things you planned because you’re short on cash.

Contributed by:
Daniela Carlucci

 

What are your kids doing after school?
Should you encourage them to go overseas to study?

Whether your son or daughter is studying Business, Fashion Design, Medicine, or Hospitality Management, a study abroad program can be of immense benefit and help them gain skills they can’t get at home: better cross-cultural communication, a competitive advantage when pursuing higher education or career opportunities, and exposure to new global perspectives and ideas, all while earning an international degree.

According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE)’s World of Learning: Canadian Post-Secondary Students and the Study Abroad Experience report, 90% of the general public believes that study abroad is a valuable experience. According to the same survey, 91% of employers were also on board and identified an extensive list of benefits, including a better understanding of cultural differences inside and outside the workplace, more world experience which makes for an easier adaptation to unfamiliar environments and enhanced life skills. Students graduating in the 21st century need international skills to succeed in today’s global economy and many believe that studying abroad should be an expectation.   

Komail Naqvi, currently studying at UBC and a truly international student, says “Studying and living in Pakistan, Canada, China and now Europe has allowed me to pocket different lenses from which to view the world and experience the cultures within it.” Komail’s also a professional free-lance photographer, hence the analogy. “Developing business and personal networking relationships with people from all nationalities imaginable are things I would never have achieved had I not travelled and studied abroad. The world has everything to offer and more, if you only reach out for it”.

“What about security?”, “I can’t afford it”, “What if my daughter decides to stay overseas?” Like most parents, you probably have some reservations about sending your child (now grown up) away. Let’s address the cost issue as there is a misconception that studying abroad is expensive, which doesn’t have to be the case. University fees vary greatly depending on the country and the program, and various academic and athletic scholarships are available, especially in the US and England. In a few countries, Finland for example, programs are in English and Bachelor’s, Doctoral and some Master’s programs are free of charge to international students. In Norway, as well, generally degrees are free.  You will still need to pay for accommodation and books – but if your son or daughter decides not to study at the local university you will be paying that in any case.

Among the reasons cited by students for wanting to study overseas are the greater variety of programs available overseas and the difficulty in getting into their chosen programs in Canada. Some programs in Canada, like Medicine for example, are notoriously difficult to get into (30% acceptance rate for first time applicants) especially in BC and Ontario, and many students are not willing to put their lives on hold to keep trying. This is one of the reasons that almost a third of Canadians studying Medicine are studying outside of Canada – with the Caribbean as the number one choice and Ireland in second place.  

“I would recommend studying abroad as it opens your eyes to new cultures and also forces you to give up some of your innate stereotypes that you may have about people and other cultures. I think it also makes you much more independent and forces you to break away from being a creature of habit and returning home anytime school gets tough”, says Glen Wiggins, who completed a Biology degree and a Master’s  program in the USA.  Glen is currently Senior Hydrographic Surveyor at the Port of Hull in the UK.  

The trend towards the ‘internationalization’ of education in Canada continues in an upward spiral. As the next generation realizes the importance of becoming ‘global citizens’, education providers, parents, employers and the community as a whole are behind them.  Do your research, check out the options and don’t miss the opportunity to meet directly with universities from many different countries at the Fall Study and Go Abroad Fair. Check the website www.studyandgoabroad.com for information on when the fair comes to a city near you.

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Additional notes for media: Study and Go Abroad Fairs

Study and Go Abroad Fairs, organized by Recruit in Canada, are Canada’s largest international university expo. Exhibitors from around the world meet with students and adults who are researching their options for post-secondary studies overseas, as well as opportunities to work, volunteer, intern or learn a language abroad.

LOCATIONS AND TIMES:

Ottawa: Thursday, September 29th, Ottawa Convention Centre from 1pm to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.
Toronto: Saturday and Sunday, October 1st and 2nd, Metro Toronto Convention Centre from 1pm to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.
Vancouver: Tuesday, October 4th, Vancouver Convention Centre from 1pm to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.
Calgary: Wednesday, October 5th, Calgary Telus Convention Centre from 1pm to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.

Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com

CONTACT:
Katie Idle, Director of Sales and Marketing
Study and Go Abroad Fairs
katie@recruitincanada.com
Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com
Tel: 778 998 3587

To Gap or Not to Gap? That is the Question!

While the gap year or “year out” has been a common and popular rite of passage in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and many countries in Europe for decades, traditionally North American students have ridden the academic conveyor belt all the way from preschool to university without a break. Now the tides are changing and many soon-to-be high school graduates are saying they’re burnt out, and need more time before deciding what they want to take at university. Instead of packing for their first year, they are now booking their flights to go volunteering in Africa, or work on a yacht in the Caribbean.

North America is starting to catch on to the “gap year” syndrome, and for good reason. Amid concerns about drop-out rates, researchers now say that students who go straight to university often find themselves in a program that doesn’t interest them, and are more likely to change programs, thus prolonging their degree and increasing their debt level, and they are more likely to quit. Experts now say that going straight to university may be short-sighted for some and a year out is the way to go.

Taking a gap year has never been easier. Many universities are now willing to defer start dates for a year – York University is embracing this gap year phenomenon with its Bridging the Gap program and “celebrates” a student’s choice to take a year off to gain work experience, do community service or go on an international exchange and will reserve the student’s admission spot for up to a year provided he or she is accepted into the program. Harvard University, one of the top universities in the world, has always been ahead of its time and for the past 40 years has proposed that students take a year out in its letter of admission.

Is there a downside to taking a gap year? Not really, according to a 2008 Statistics Canada report published jointly with Canadian Policy Research Networks. The report found that students who delay postsecondary education don’t face a disadvantage in the labour market later on – as long as they actually complete their program once started. In fact, a Canadian Council of Learning study found that students who took a gap year were eight per cent more likely to be employed upon finishing all their studies.

Understandably, many parents are a little nervous that their son or daughter will be side-tracked and destined to remain degree-less forever. However, even though there are no formal studies on the actual number of gap year students who do make their way to university, admissions staff say that only a few drop off the radar. On the contrary, a year out can make you more focused, better prepared for university life and more likely to complete at least one university degree. After all, it’s not getting into university that counts – it’s getting the degree at the end of the line!

“To gap or not to gap... that is the question.” Students who have taken the year out, universities, and the latest statistics are saying “Yes, go for it!” Although it may be a daunting prospect for parents and students to divert from the “safe” bound-for-university-after-high-school route, the rewards and benefits are well worth stepping out of that comfort zone. To find out about gap year options, check out www.gostudy.ca or the Study and Go Abroad Fairs.

Contributed by:
Katie Idle, Director of Sales and Marketing
Study and Go Abroad Fairs
katie@recruitincanada.com
Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com

THE ROI ON STUDYING ABROAD

Studying abroad can be an exciting opportunity to travel and live in another culture. However, depending on the destination, it may be considerably more expensive than staying at home in Canada – especially for those students still living with their parents. The costs can add up - tuition fees, accommodation, food, transportation and other living expenses. The big question is … is it worth the extra expense?

Studies say: YES. Studying abroad can have a positive impact on your career goals, marketable skills and general employability.

According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE)’s World of Learning: Canadian Post-Secondary Students and the Study Abroad Experience report, 91% of employers thought that studying abroad was an advantage and identified an extensive list of benefits, including a better understanding of cultural differences inside and outside the workplace, and more world experience which makes for an easier adaptation to unfamiliar environments and enhanced life skills.

In today’s economy, it is more important than ever to “stand out from the crowd’ and an international degree can give graduates that competitive edge which will improve their chances of landing their dream job.

An online survey conducted by Higher Education Strategy Associates of 2,742 Canadians enrolled in an undergraduate program in a degree-granting institution during the 2009-10 academic year revealed that more than half of the students had either studied abroad, or were at least considering it. Of these, 93 percent felt that their studies abroad had improved their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment and had increased their knowledge of international affairs and that these two factors were important in getting a job after graduation.

The Study and Go Abroad Fair, organized by Recruit in Canada, showcases undergraduate and graduate study abroad opportunities from around the world. Find out when the fairs come to a city near you by going to www.studyandgoabroad.com.

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Additional notes for media: Study and Go Abroad Fairs

Study and Go Abroad Fairs, organized by Recruit in Canada, are Canada's largest international university Fairs. Exhibitors from around the world meet with students and adults who are researching their options for post-secondary studies overseas, as well as opportunities to work, volunteer, intern or learn a language abroad.

LOCATIONS AND TIMES:

Calgary: Wednesday, October 5th, Calgary Telus Convention Centre, from 1 to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.

Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com

CONTACT:
Katie Idle, Director of Sales and Marketing
Study and Go Abroad Fairs
katie@recruitincanada.com
Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com
Tel: 778 998 3587

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver, BC: September 24, 2011

Top Universities and Student Work and Travel Firms from Around the World Flock to Canada for the Study and Go Abroad Fairs

Top universities from the UK, USA, Australia, Sweden, Canada and many other countries take part in the Study and Go Abroad Fair circuit to meet with students who are interested in studying abroad. Top-ranked universities include UCL (ranked 4th in the QS World University Rankings 2011) and King’s College London from the UK; the University of Melbourne and the University of New South Wales from Australia; the Chinese University of Hong Kong; the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Lund University from Sweden.

“Visitors to the expo have a fantastic opportunity to meet face-to-face with university representatives to find out more about how they can study abroad and make their dreams a reality. We have a great line-up of universities, and an extensive Travel Pavilion for adventure travel and gap year options, volunteer programs and work abroad. I would encourage students to bring their friends and family to this inclusive, free event,” says Katie Idle, Director of Sales and Marketing.

The growing trend of Canadians studying abroad is fuelled by students who are attracted by the greater variety of programs; have a desire to learn about other cultures and experience living abroad or elsewhere in Canada; know that their résumé will be that much more completive when entering the work force; as well as those aware of the difficulty of getting into their chosen programs in Canada. Some programs in Canada, like medicine for example, are notoriously difficult to get into (30% acceptance rate for first-time applicants), especially in BC and Ontario, and many students are not willing to put their lives on hold to keep trying. The Caribbean is the number one destination for Canadians to study medicine abroad, and many of the Caribbean medical schools, such as the University of Avalon in the Netherlands Antilles, one of the exhibitors at the Fair, are fully recognized by ECFMG, WHO, FAIMER/IMED and the MCC, which means that graduates are able to practice anywhere in the world.

The expo starts at 1pm, but visitors are invited to come at 12 noon already to hear guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author and online publisher of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas, as he kicks off a full day of exciting information seminars presented on a range of topics.

Seminar schedules and exhibitor profiles can be found online at www.studyandgoabroad.com, along with details of our Grand Prize Draw. Prizes include a return flight to Australia offered by Fair sponsor Qantas, a two-week Beaches and Reefs Contiki Holidays trip, and a Travel CUTS seven-week volunteer trip to Tanzania.

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Additional notes for media: Study and Go Abroad Fairs

Study and Go Abroad Fairs, organized by Recruit in Canada, are Canada’s largest international university Fairs. Exhibitors from around the world meet with students and adults who are researching their options for post-secondary studies overseas, as well as opportunities to work, volunteer, intern or learn a language abroad.

LOCATIONS AND TIMES:

Ottawa: Thursday, September 29th, Ottawa Convention Centre from 1pm to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.
Toronto: Saturday and Sunday, October 1st and 2nd, Metro Toronto Convention Centre from 1pm to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.
Vancouver: Tuesday, October 4th, Vancouver Convention Centre from 1pm to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.
Calgary: Wednesday, October 5th, Calgary Telus Convention Centre from 1pm to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.

Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com

CONTACT:
Katie Idle, Director of Sales and Marketing
Study and Go Abroad Fairs
katie@recruitincanada.com
Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com
Tel: 778 998 3587

PRESS RELEASE

Study and Go Abroad Fair, Canada’s largest international university expo,  comes to Ottawa for the first time on September 29, 2011

The Study and Go Abroad Fair, now in its 18th year, features top universities and student travel companies from all over the world offering undergraduate and graduate programs, gap year options and adventure travel for students of all ages.  A full program of information seminars on a range of exciting study and travel topics is scheduled throughout the day starting at 12 noon with internationally recognised guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas. 

“This is a great opportunity for students to make their dreams a reality”, says Anita Kuehnel, Director.  “There is a misconception that studying abroad is expensive, which doesn’t have to be the case. University fees vary greatly depending on the country and the program, and various academic and athletic scholarships are available, especially in the US and England.”

Top-ranked universities attending the Ottawa expo include University of Bristol, from England, University of Melbourne from Australia, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Thomas M Cooley Law School, the largest law school in the USA, Lund University from Sweden, Istituto Marangoni, a leading European fashion school and Laureate and SEG hospitality management schools from Switzerland. 

Visitors who are planning a gap year, or looking for other travel options can visit the Travel Pavilion, which includes VisitOz for work programs in Australia, Contiki Holidays, Travel CUTS, Developing World Connections and International Service Learning (volunteering), Katimavik (a Canadian volunteer service program), Student for Development (a program run by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada) and Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s International Experience program. 

Seminar schedules and exhibitor profiles can be found online on www.studyandgoabroad.com, as well as details of our Grand Prize Draw.  Prizes include a return flight to Australia offered by expo sponsor, Qantas, a two-week Beaches and Reefs Contiki Holidays trip and a Travel CUTS volunteer trip to Tanzania. 

According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE)’s World of Learning: Canadian Post-Secondary Students and the Study Abroad Experience report, 90% of the general public believes that study abroad is a valuable experience. According to the same survey, 91% of employers were also on board and identified an extensive list of benefits, including a better understanding of cultural differences inside and outside the workplace, more world experience which makes for an easier adaptation to unfamiliar environments and enhanced life skills. Students graduating in the 21st century need international skills to succeed in today’s global economy and many believe that studying abroad should be an expectation.

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Additional notes for media: Study and Go Abroad Fairs

Study and Go Abroad Fairs, organized by Recruit in Canada, are Canada’s largest international university Fairs. Exhibitors from around the world meet with students and adults who are researching their options for post-secondary studies overseas, as well as opportunities to work, volunteer, intern or learn a language abroad.

LOCATIONS AND TIMES:

Ottawa: Thursday, September 29th, Ottawa Convention Centre from 1 to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.

Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com

CONTACT:
Katie Idle, Director of Sales and Marketing
Study and Go Abroad Fairs
katie@recruitincanada.com
Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com
Tel: 778 998 3587

PRESS RELEASE

Study and Go Abroad Fair, Canada’s largest international university expo, returns to Toronto on October 1 and 2, 2011

The Study and Go Abroad Fair, now in its 18th year, features top universities and student travel companies from all over the world offering undergraduate and graduate programs, gap year options and adventure travel for students of all ages.  A full program of information seminars on a range of exciting topics is scheduled throughout the day starting at 12 noon with internationally recognised guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas. 

“This is a great opportunity for students to make their dreams a reality”, says Anita Kuehnel, Director.  “There is a misconception that studying abroad is expensive, which doesn’t have to be the case. University fees vary greatly depending on the country and the program, and various academic and athletic scholarships are available, especially in the US and England.”

Over 100 universities and student travel companies from the UK, USA, Australia, Sweden, Italy, Canada and many other countries will take part in the Study and Go Abroad Fairs to meet with interested students.  Top-ranked universities include UCL (ranked 4th in the QS World University Rankings 2011) and King’s College London from England; the University of Melbourne and the University of New South Wales from Australia; the Chinese University of Hong Kong; the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Thomas M Cooley Law School, the largest law school in the USA; and Lund University from Sweden.

Visitors who are planning a gap year, or looking for other travel options can visit the Travel Pavilion, which includes VisitOz for work programs in Australia; Contiki Holidays; Travel CUTS; Developing World Connections, International Service Learning, Katimavik, Canada World Youth and GVI (volunteering), Katimavik (a Canadian volunteer service program) and The Washington Centre for Internships and Academic Seminars. 

Seminar schedules and exhibitor profiles can be found online on www.studyandgoabroad.com, as well as details of our Grand Prize Draw.  Prizes include a return flight to Australia offered by expo sponsor, Qantas, a two-week Beaches and Reefs Contiki Holidays trip and a Travel CUTS volunteer trip to Tanzania. 

According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE)’s World of Learning: Canadian Post-Secondary Students and the Study Abroad Experience report, 90% of the general public believes that study abroad is a valuable experience. According to the same survey, 91% of employers were also on board and identified an extensive list of benefits, including a better understanding of cultural differences inside and outside the workplace, more world experience which makes for an easier adaptation to unfamiliar environments and enhanced life skills. Students graduating in the 21st century need international skills to succeed in today’s global economy and many believe that studying abroad should be an expectation.

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Additional notes for media: Study and Go Abroad Fairs

Study and Go Abroad Fairs, organized by Recruit in Canada, are Canada’s largest international university Fairs. Exhibitors from around the world meet with students and adults who are researching their options for post-secondary studies overseas, as well as opportunities to work, volunteer, intern or learn a language abroad.

LOCATIONS AND TIMES:

Toronto: October 1 and 2, Metro Toronto Convention Centre from 1 to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.

Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com

CONTACT:
Katie Idle, Director of Sales and Marketing
Study and Go Abroad Fairs
katie@recruitincanada.com
Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com
Tel: 778 998 3587

PRESS RELEASE

Canada’s Largest International University Expo, the Study and Go Abroad Fair, returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre on October 4, 2011

Back by popular demand, the Study and Go Abroad Fair features top universities and student travel companies from all over the world offering undergraduate and graduate programs, gap year options and adventure travel for students of all ages.  A full program of information seminars on a range of exciting study and travel topics is scheduled throughout the day starting at 12 noon with internationally recognised guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas. 

“This is a great opportunity for students to make their dreams a reality”, says Anita Kuehnel, Director.  “There is a misconception that studying abroad is expensive, which doesn’t have to be the case. University fees vary greatly depending on the country and the program, and various academic and athletic scholarships are available, especially in the US and England.”

Top-ranked universities attending the Vancouver expo include University of Manchester and Bristol, from England, University of Melbourne and University of New South Wales from Australia, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Lund University from Sweden.  Incidentally, the University of Manchester can claim 25 Nobel Prize winners among former staff and students, and is where the atom was first split and the computer invented.

Visitors who are planning a gap year, or looking for other travel options can visit the Travel Pavilion, which includes Canada World Youth (volunteering), Contiki Holidays, Travel CUTS, Developing World Connections (volunteering), the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Semesters, and Katimavik (a Canadian volunteer service program). 

Seminar schedules and exhibitor profiles can be found online on www.studyandgoabroad.com, as well as details of our Grand Prize Draw.  Prizes include a return flight to Australia offered by expo sponsor, Qantas, a two-week Beaches and Reefs Contiki Holidays trip and a Travel CUTS seven-week volunteer trip to Tanzania. 

According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE)’s World of Learning: Canadian Post-Secondary Students and the Study Abroad Experience report, 90% of the general public believes that study abroad is a valuable experience. According to the same survey, 91% of employers were also on board and identified an extensive list of benefits, including a better understanding of cultural differences inside and outside the workplace, more world experience which makes for an easier adaptation to unfamiliar environments and enhanced life skills. Students graduating in the 21st century need international skills to succeed in today’s global economy and many believe that studying abroad should be an expectation.

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Additional notes for media: Study and Go Abroad Fairs

Study and Go Abroad Fairs, organized by Recruit in Canada, are Canada’s largest international university Fairs. Exhibitors from around the world meet with students and adults who are researching their options for post-secondary studies overseas, as well as opportunities to work, volunteer, intern or learn a language abroad.

LOCATIONS AND TIMES:

Vancouver: Tuesday, October 4th, Vancouver Convention Centre, from 1 to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.

Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com

CONTACT:
Katie Idle, Director of Sales and Marketing
Study and Go Abroad Fairs
katie@recruitincanada.com
Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com
Tel: 778 998 3587

PRESS RELEASE

Study and Go Abroad Fair, Canada’s largest international university expo,  comes to Calgary for the first time on October 5, 2011

The Study and Go Abroad Fair, now in its 18th year, features top universities and student travel companies from all over the world offering undergraduate and graduate programs, gap year options and adventure travel for students of all ages.  A full program of information seminars on a range of exciting study and travel topics is scheduled throughout the day starting at 12 noon with internationally recognised guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas. 

“This is a great opportunity for students to make their dreams a reality”, says Anita Kuehnel, Director.  “There is a misconception that studying abroad is expensive, which doesn’t have to be the case. University fees vary greatly depending on the country and the program, and various academic and athletic scholarships are available, especially in the US and England.”

Top-ranked universities attending the Calgary expo include University of Bristol, from England, Arizona State University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from the USA, University of Melbourne from Australia, Lund University from Sweden, and SEG, Swiss Education Group, one of the leading hospitality management schools in Switzerland. 

Visitors who are planning a gap year, or looking for other travel options can visit the Travel Pavilion, which includes VisitOz for work programs in Australia, Contiki Holidays, Travel CUTS, Developing World Connections and International Service Learning (volunteering), Katimavik (a Canadian volunteer service program), Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s International Experience program and the Alberta Government’s Campus Alberta. 

Seminar schedules and exhibitor profiles can be found online on www.studyandgoabroad.com, as well as details of our Grand Prize Draw.  Prizes include a return flight to Australia offered by expo sponsor, Qantas, a two-week Beaches and Reefs Contiki Holidays trip and a Travel CUTS volunteer trip to Tanzania. 

According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE)’s World of Learning: Canadian Post-Secondary Students and the Study Abroad Experience report, 90% of the general public believes that study abroad is a valuable experience. According to the same survey, 91% of employers were also on board and identified an extensive list of benefits, including a better understanding of cultural differences inside and outside the workplace, more world experience which makes for an easier adaptation to unfamiliar environments and enhanced life skills. Students graduating in the 21st century need international skills to succeed in today’s global economy and many believe that studying abroad should be an expectation.

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Additional notes for media: Study and Go Abroad Fairs

Study and Go Abroad Fairs, organized by Recruit in Canada, are Canada’s largest international university Fairs. Exhibitors from around the world meet with students and adults who are researching their options for post-secondary studies overseas, as well as opportunities to work, volunteer, intern or learn a language abroad.

LOCATIONS AND TIMES:

Calgary: Wednesday, October 5th, Calgary Telus Convention Centre, from 1 to 6pm. Free seminars are offered throughout the day beginning at 12 noon with guest speaker Jean-Marc Hachey, author of The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas.

Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com

CONTACT:
Katie Idle, Director of Sales and Marketing
Study and Go Abroad Fairs
katie@recruitincanada.com
Website: www.studyandgoabroad.com
Tel: 778 998 3587