Go Global (Outbound)
What are your options for going abroad?
As a student at Memorial University, you have various options to pursue learning abroad experiences:
- On exchange with one of our university partners.
- As part of a faculty-lead study abroad program with one of our specific departments within our faculties and schools.
- As part of a Harlow Campus program (i.e. Faculty-led Group Study Programmes).
- As a student taking leave from Memorial and travelling (with permission) as a visiting, fees-paying student at another global university.
- As part of a co-op work placements.
- On a research-based experience abroad.
Once you decide which type of opportunity you'd like to participate in, please connect with your Mobility Coordinator to talk about next steps.
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Exchange | Spend one or two semesters at a partner university abroad while earning credits toward your MUN degree and paying MUN tuition fees. You can choose from 120+ universities in 40+ countries. For a quick overview of how exchanges work, see below. For full details, visit Exchange. |
| UArctic north2north exchange | Get knowledge and experience on Northern/Arctic issues via UArctic north2north exchange. You can spend a semester in one of the UArctic member institutions in Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. |
| Harlow Campus | Spend a semester in Harlow, Memorial University's international campus in the United Kingdom. This is typically done through Faculty-led Group Study Programmes. |
| Internship |
Senior undergraduate and graduate students can apply for Mitacs Globalink Research Award to conduct 12–24-week research projects at universities in internationally. Recent graduates can participate in the International Youth Internship Program that offers six-month overseas placements to interns working in a variety of fields International Indigenous Youth Internship connects Indigenous youth in Canada with international work opportunities through a 12 week, full-time, paid virtual internship. |
| International work term placement | Memorial co-op students can have work term placements not only in Canada, but also in international locations. |
| Language program | Immerse yourself into a language of your choice via one of the programs coordinated by the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures. |
| Summer school | If you are looking for a short-term program, consider one of the summer schoolsoffered by MUN international partners. |
A student exchange is a program in which students from a university study abroad at one of our partner institutions. It consists of a formal agreement between the two universities that allows the exchange of students.
Similarly, Memorial University is part of a variety of consortium agreements. For example, the University of the Arctic's north2north mobility program facilitates exchange to a wide number of universities under the umbrella of that agreement.
Below is a brief overview of how exchanges work. For full details & application instructions, please visit Exchange.
How Exchanges Work
Exchange opportunities are based on a quota system. As per the terms of the agreement:
- We (Memorial) will only send a limited number of students to the partner school each semester (and recieve a limited number of exchange students).
- You (as the exchange student) will continue to be registered as a student at Memorial for the duration of your time abroad. You will pay your tuition fees to Memorial University.
- You will be responsible for your flights, accommodations, living expenses and some ancillary fees at the partner institution.
- The courses taken abroad will transfer back to Memorial as either unspecified electives, or for specific course credit if permission is attained before the semester begins.
With careful planning, participation in an exchange semester should not impact your graduation date. If you carefully identify the required courses abroad and have the letter of permission approved before you go, the exchange semester should work well with your academic plan.
Facilitating the Exchange
Memorial University has academic exchange agreements with over 120 universities worldwide. Your Mobility Coordinator will have more information on the institutions that are available to you, as specific institutional agreements may be limited to particular faculties (i.e. business students only) and levels of study (i.e. undergraduate only).
Also known as Faculty-led programs, this is where one or more Memorial University professors (or affiliates) will take a group of students to a specific destination to enhance learning.
Some examples of Faculty-led programs, including the latest offerings are included below:
- "A Summer of Theatre, Film, and Puppetry" - Harlow, Prague - Summer 2023
- Memorial University's Harlow Campus
- Biochemistry, Spring 2022
- Visual Arts, Spring 2022
- Canadian Summer School in Germany - Kassel, Germany - Spring 2022 (Modern Languages)
- Frecker Program - St. Pierre et Miquelon, France - Spring 2022
- Frecker Program - St. Pierre et Miquelon, France - Fall 2022
Memorial's agreements with its partner universities often allow you to participate in a research experience abroad under the terms of the exchange agreement.
This opportunity is available to both undergraduate and graduate students. To participate in a research-abroad experience:
- Speak with your supervisor or academic program manager in your Faculty, School or department about the possibility.
- Ensure that the research-abroad experience will not adversely impact your academic plan.
- View our list of agreements and decide upon a location in which you will conduct your research. Visit the partner school's website to explore potential professors with whom you would like to work.
- Complete the Internal Application for International Exchange as per the directions found here.
- If approved we will nominate you to participate in a research-abroad opportunity.
PREPARATION
There are several additional items that need to be concluded prior to your departure.
Approval of Courses
Before you leave, you must seek approval for the courses that you wish to take abroad with your faculty and the Office of the Registrar. To do so, follow these steps:
- Research the course offerings at the partner school and identify the courses you wish to take.
- The number of credits / courses you will take will be determined by the host university (in compliance with their academic regulations and the visa regulations of the host country).
- Collect the detailed descriptions or course syllabus for each course you are seeking. Contact your Mobility Coordinator for assistance with course selection.
- Complete the Office of the Registrar's Letter of Permission with the courses that you hope to take.
The office of the registrar will link with your department to ensure course module transferrability.
Visas and Permits
Each country is unique in its visa requirements. Allow at least 2-4 months to prepare for your study permit or visa applications for your host country. This may involve sending your passport to the appropriate embassy or consulate within Canada. It also may involve you having to fly to Halifax, Montreal, Toronto or Ottawa for permit processing. The more time you have, the less expensive this process will be.
- To begin, the IATA Travel Centre may given you some broad strokes in terms of what permit or visa might be required.
- Global Affairs Canada has a list of consular missions in Canada, so you can research the particular country to which you are going for more information.
Registration for Courses
Undergraduate students travelling abroad will be registered for a "course" while abroad: INTE 3999 XXX
Your mobility coordinator will assist with the registration process. They will "create" the INTE course for you and see that you are registered in the course. The INTE course initiates the tuition charge for your semester abroad.
Remember, your tuition and ancillary fees will be paid to Memorial and not to the partner institution. Your tuition will be waived at the partner school, though there may be additional fees required by the partner school.
If you change either the number of courses or the nature of courses while abroad, a new letter of permission will be required AND a new INTE 3999 course change form will be required.
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