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The following story was submitted by OC’s International Education team:

An À¦°óSM student has returned from the trip of a lifetime.

Rachel, a Métis student at À¦°óSM (OC), recently participated in a Discovery Camp in Surabaya, Indonesia. This program, which included 11 OC students (three of whom were Indigenous), focused on sustainable development goals and local government initiatives.

Rachel's journey was made possible because OC is part of the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP), which helps students’ study abroad in the Asia Pacific region. Rachel, who is studying to be an Education Assistant, found this trip life changing.

During her time in Indonesia, Rachel taught high school students about sustainable development goals. One highlight of her trip was hiking overnight to see the sunrise at Mt. Bromo. She also enjoyed a special group dinner with friends on her last day, feeling deeply connected to the community she had come to know.

Rachel's interactions with people from various countries and the friendships she formed were significant highlights. She enjoyed learning from her peers and instructors about sustainable development practices in different cultural contexts. Rachel chose to apply for this opportunity because of her passion for travel, making new friends, and learning about different cultures and the environment.

Rachel feels proud to represent her Métis community, À¦°óSM, and her hometown, Kelowna. Representing her community in Indonesia was meaningful to her, and she hopes her positive experience will encourage more Métis students to pursue similar opportunities.

This trip broadened Rachel's perspective. She believes these insights will be valuable in her future career as an Education Assistant, enhancing her ability to communicate and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

Kennidi Rushton, Indigenous Student Services Coordinator at OC, underscores the significance of study abroad experiences, stating that they enable students to immerse themselves in different cultures, learn new traditions, and expand their viewpoints. For many students, this may be their first-time leaving Canada or even boarding a plane, making it a unique and enriching experience.

Sakura Hirata, Marketing & Recruitment Specialist at OC, highlights that OC hosts over 2,100 international students from 70 countries. To truly promote internationalization, it is crucial to support both inbound and outbound student exchanges. The goal is to empower students to become global citizens by increasing access to international opportunities.

Rachel’s story shows how powerful study abroad experiences can be, especially for Métis students. It encourages universities to make these opportunities available to more underrepresented students. Future students are encouraged to explore and embrace their own study abroad journeys, expanding their horizons.

For more information on study abroad opportunities, visit OC Mobility: /mobility/outbound-mobility.