A new career-boosting international study experience
More than 250 students at Saint Mary’s will gain global skills through a newly-launched initiative funded by the Government of Canada’s Global Skills Opportunity program.
The Studio’s Global Learning and Intercultural Support Office has been awarded $493,000 over a 5-year period (2021-2025) to fund international mobility. Although all Canadian students are eligible, we are especially excited that the program is designed to improve support for Indigenous students, students from low-income backgrounds, and those with disabilities.
“What makes this so special is that are breaking down financial and social barriers that have historically prevented students with these backgrounds from gaining life-changing global skills and experiences. We see this as a way of creating a world without limits for these students,” says Miyuki Arai, Director of the Global Learning Office. “Through this ambitious and ground-breaking program, thousands of young Canadians will have transformational experience abroad. Their newfound global perspective and skills will inform the way they live and work for decades to come,” says Paul Davidson, President of Universities Canada.
Ms. Arai’s successful project proposal, entitled Spring Abroad: Global learning for a pluralistic society, aims to inspire young people to become life-long learners and contributors of pluralistic values in their local communities and around the world. “Last year we ran a highly-successful project called Intercultural Learning by Students for Students. A recurring issue explored by participants, our Global Learning Ambassadors, concerned financial accessibility to international study programs. Their passion and advocacy for equitable access to student mobility was really the catalyst for this funding proposal,” she adds.
A key component of the Government of Canada’s International Education Strategy, Global Skills Opportunity is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and is administered jointly by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada. This national program also aims to diversify destination countries where Canadian students pursue international learning. Saint Mary’s has a growing network of university partnerships that facilitate student mobility programs all over the world.
“As a contributor to the 2017 Report of the Study Group on Global Education which recommended the creation of Canada’s International Education Strategy, I’m delighted to see the launch of the Global Skills Opportunity program,” says Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary’s University. “Congratulations to Ms. Arai and colleagues in The Studio on receiving this significant funding. The Saint Mary’s project builds on our strengths in intercultural learning and will ensure access to international mobility for many students who might not otherwise have considered this opportunity. This is indeed what we mean when we aspire to a World without limits.”
Further information about the Global Skills Opportunity project will be published on the Global Learning & Intercultural Support website in coming weeks. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for the latest updates. Contact us at global@smu.ca if you have any questions about this or other student mobility initiatives.
