What are Study Abroad Exchanges and how do they work?
Once you are an approved Study Abroad candidate, you pay your usual tuition to À¦°óSM while attending classes at the international institution of your choice. While travel and housing costs are your responsibility, our Study Abroad advisor will provide insight on residence information, pre-departure orientation, and returning student sessions. Please note many partner institutions have on-campus housing, as well as helpful visiting student support services and activities.
Students are expected to enroll in a full-time course load while on exchange and will also be required to complete the Emergency Protocol package prior to departure.
À¦°óSM Global Education Mobility Grants for Domestic Students
À¦°óSM students who have been accepted into international activities, study tours or exchange programs outside of Canada and require financial assistance for airline travel expenses are eligible to apply for an Airline Travel Grant. For full eligibility criteria and application details, please refer to the application form.
Students enrolled in a credentialed study exchange program who successfully applied for and received the Airline Travel Grant may also be eligible for through Financial Aid and Awards.
Why Go?
Most students are attracted by the opportunity to live and study in a new and different environment, but the reasons for doing an exchange program are varied.
If you would like to:
- take academic courses not available at À¦°óSM
- study in another country
- experience a different cultural environment
- travel to and tour new destinations
Study abroad may be a good choice for you. Take the time to thoroughly examine your personal reasons for wanting to participate in an exchange. If non-academic reasons such as travel or working abroad are your primary motivation, then other options may be better suited to your goals.
Which Student Exchange is Appropriate For Me?
You can choose an exchange that has a wide variety of course topics, or choose one that is more focused on your area of academic interest.
Proficiency in the language of instruction will be a major determinant in the consideration of an appropriate exchange.
All À¦°óSM Study Abroad partner schools offer many courses in English. Many partner schools also offer "learn a new language" type courses as well.
If you already speak another language you may choose to take courses in that language as long as the courses are pre-approved by À¦°óSM.
2023/24 Mobility
Learn about exciting cross-cultural exchange programs offered by International Education office.
BBA Student Application Process
Find out what you need to be eligible for Study Abroad as a BBA student.
OSB Exchange Application
Complete the Study Abroad Application and submit completed application form and all supporting documentation to OSB Study Abroad Coordinator at fkelly@okanagan.bc.ca.
Exchange Partnership Schools
À¦°óSM has exchange partnership schools located in many different regions of the world. Check out the list of countries and schools you can visit from our list of Study Abroad Partnership Schools.
Okayama, Japan – Kibi International University
Through the exchange program, I have learned how it feels to be a foreign student. I've had exchange students live with my family and had them as friends but I never truly knew how they feel until this trip. This was a wonderful opportunity. Kibi went above and beyond to make this an amazing trip. Interacting with the foreign students in Japan was really great for them and us and it would have been good to do more of that.
- Greg Arnason, Bachelor of Computer Information System, Kelowna Campus
Berlin, Germany
Choosing to do a year abroad as part of my degree with the À¦°óSM has allowed me to network internationally and see how others do Business. There are some things that just can’t be taught in the classroom, you need to get out and see the world for yourself!
Before I left on my exchange I had no idea what I wanted to do after my degree. Now I am motivated to change the world and have found my direction for many years to come. This new direction will lead me towards starting my own business in Canada’s advancing green economy. It is fair to say that this path would have not been discovered if not for the challenges faced on my travels.
- Sean McFetridge, Berlin School of Economics
Nagoya, Japan – Nagoya University of Foreign Studies
Studying abroad was something I never thought I’d get to do in my life. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I was given with OC’s international department and NUFS! Japan’s influence on me has altered my career path and now I’d like to teach English in Japan so I can live in the country that means so much to me! If you are interested in studying abroad, my only advice is to go for it! You will learn so many valuable lessons in a wide range of fields and hopefully you get to connect with your chosen country as I did with Japan. I don’t regret anything about my stay in Japan and I’d give anything to go again to relive my memories.
- Carter Henry, Assosicate of Arts, Kelowna
Melbourne, Australia
Swinburne was more than I could have ever expected. The quality of lectures along with its picturesque setting overlooking the city centre of Melbourne, were more than I could have ever asked for. I was able to have the time of my life as it was quite easy to balance my studies along with my travels. One of the most rewarding parts of the experience was the connections I made. I have friends from all around the world who I keep in contact with. I also believe that my study abroad trip was a definite asset when it came to looking for a position in my career. I stood out from the others because I had taken chance in my schooling and my employer saw that in me. It’s not very often an experience of this magnitude arises. In my opinion, embrace it mate, go down under!
- Nick Melemenis, Swinburne University of Technology
Nagoya, Japan – Nagoya Gakuin University
As a result of the exchange, I have gained a new perspective and an understanding of how other people live their daily lives. It makes you appreciate or notice things that should be changed when you arrive back home. The most rewarding part was being able to learn so much in a very little amount of time and how to work better with people that I barely know from different backgrounds, language and culture.
- Robert Stewart, Sustainable Construction Management, Penticton Campus
Tokyo, Japan – J. F. Oberline University
The main benefit I think I will get out of this exchange program is the confidence I gained. It was my first time going abroad alone, and it felt very freeing to be away from home and leave my worries behind. The building of relationships with the other people that were also on exchange was rewarding. It felt great to explore another country together with other people who might know less or more than you. The exchange of knowledge and experiences and the ability to share them was amazing.
- Kim Van Zandwijk, Associate of Arts, Kelowna Campus
Okayama, Japan – Kibi International University
I never would have been able to go to Japan without the summer exchange and grant. I’ve always wanted to go but never thought I would have the opportunity. I made many new Japanese friends at the partnering school, ate so much Japanese food and loved exploring Japan and its culture. I still keep in touch with a couple of Japanese students and met with them when they were studying in Canada. I feel like the connections I’ve made while on the exchange will last a lifetime! This was a highlight to my degree at À¦°óSM.
- Kira Johnson, Bachelor of Business Administration, Kelowna Campus
Okayama, Japan – Kibi International University
Going to Japan has been a lifelong dream of mine ... It was such an incredible experience. I learned a lot about the Japanese culture and even a bit of their language. What made it so special to me though, was being able to share my culture with them as well.
- Dawna Hearl, Assosicate of Arts, Salmon Arm
Vienna, Austria
Studying abroad has certainly broadened my horizons! Being an international student at À¦°óSM has already contributed to many new experiences, but studying in Austria as a Chinese exchange student from Canada was something completely different.
I had the opportunity to meet people from around the world while learning English and most recently, German. The most exciting part during my exchange semester was traveling around Europe where I was able to explore nine European countries including my original destination, Austria. Every time I traveled to a new country I felt a transformation beginning where I opened up to new possibilities. I felt I had free access to many different countries which allowed me to become a citizen of the world.
Traveling gives you a better understanding of humility in which you think less of yourself and more about your surroundings. I have met some amazing people who have helped me appreciate how incredible the world is. I have realized that the more I see and understand, the more I can contribute to this world. That’s how the study abroad program has broadened my experiences, my outlooks, and my visions.
- Enya Ren, FH Wien University of Applied Sciences of WKW, Vienna, Austria
