Students report that education abroad experiences are transformative and contribute to their academic and career achievements, all while helping them enhance their communication skills, self-awareness and adaptability. However, reports indicate that only 3.1 per cent of full-time Canadian undergraduate university students take part in an education abroad experience annually. The number is lower for full-time college students, at 2.5 per cent.
Making learning abroad a reality for a critical mass of Canadian students requires a cultural shift, and to this end, the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) launched the Learning Beyond Borders initiative in November 2016. The project comes with strong support from the Governor General of Canada David Johnston.
York University has joined the CBIE initiative, consistent with the University’s vision to enhance global engagement. Throughout 2017, York will organize community consultations and advocacy activities that will encourage more York students to take advantage of learning experiences in other countries and help them to become global citizens.
York International will coordinate the University’s participation in the Learning Beyond Borders initiative. For more information, please contact Marilyn Lambert-Drache, associate vice-president international, at avpi@yorku.ca.