Celebrating the Success of the Global Skills Opportunity Program

Although it was organized to mark the end of the program, this week’s Global Learning Opportunities (GSO) Celebration was just that: a celebration of the tremendous success of a groundbreaking international student mobility and intercultural initiative at Saint Mary’s University.

In 2021, the Studio’s Office of Global Learning and Intercultural Support was awarded a grant totalling just over $690,000 under the Federal Government’s five-year International Education Strategy (2019-2024). The successful funding application, led by Miyuki Arai, proposed responding to the pervasive gap in international mobility opportunities for Indigenous, low-income, and students with disabilities. “It’s always wonderful to see our students take their studies to all corners of the world, but tonight I’m reminded that over the past four years we’ve been able to support many students for whom international exchanges would otherwise have been out of reach,” said Miyuki. Indeed, more than 70% of the grant funding directly supported students from these backgrounds who traveled to some of Saint Mary’s 130+ partner universities around the globe.

The GSO Celebration included a Student Expo featuring a dozen interactive presentations hosted by students who benefitted from GSO funding. Many of the participants in attendance were students considering future study abroad options, so they had the chance to speak directly with peers and hear about study programs in South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia and beyond. Complementing the student presentations, representatives from Saint Mary’s Career & Experiential Learning Office were in attendance to describe how students can use what they learn on exchange programs to open new doors upon their return to Canada. And finally, Dr Cathy Conrad and Prof Greg Baker (still feeling the effects of jet lag after a long journey home from West Africa) brought the evening to a close with a lively presentation describing their latest highly successful field school in The Gambia, supported in part by GSO funding.

The journey from writing the grant proposal to celebrating the life-changing opportunities it brought to so many Saint Mary’s students was a long one, and the challenges of administering this program were formidable. For this reason, the roaring applause in appreciation for the vision and dedication of Miyuki Arai were well deserved!

To learn more about the GSO program and its legacy at SMU, please visit our website.

Photo Highlights: GSO Celebration

International Education Weeks 2023

Celebrating Global Citizenship: International Education Weeks 2023

"Every conversation is a journey into a new world." This remark from a participant at this year’s International Education Weeks (IEW) at Saint Mary's University encapsulates the spirit of the annual celebration highlighting the value of international and intercultural education.

Celebrated in more than 100 nations around the world each year, the event highlights the important role that international education plays in fostering global citizenship. Here at SMU, it’s also an opportunity to showcase wonderful opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to participate in intercultural learning on campus and around the world. 

Held this year between October 30 and November 17, the Global Learning and Intercultural Support Office hosted a wide range of information sessions and workshops offered in partnership with various university departments and community members across campus. “This year, we were able to offer a record number of events thanks to the support of SMU community members and a mighty team of Global Skills Opportunity Ambassadors,” said Global Learning Office Director, Miyuki Arai. Global Skills Opportunity Ambassadors are SMU students who help promote study abroad opportunities and deliver supports for low-income students, students with disabilities, and Indigenous students. Learn more about the program here.

More information

Visit the Global Learning webpage to learn more about SMU’s international education opportunities as well as how students can participate in the Global Skills Opportunity Ambassadors program. Any inquiries or request for more information about opportunities and events presented during IEW2023 can be directed to Global@smu.ca.

IEW2023 Showcase

Day of the Dead Community Altar

The week began with the Day of the Dead Community Altar at the Patrick Power Library. This tradition, running from October 29 to November 3, offered a space for the SMU community to honor and remember departed loved ones.

Study Abroad Information Sessions: Bangladesh, France, Thailand, Norway, and Korea

A series of informative sessions about studying abroad in Bangladesh, France, Thailand, Norway, and Korea offered students a global perspective. Exchange students, including Anas from North South University, Pat from Srinakharinwirot University, Samuel from ESSCA Ecole de Management, Vilde from the University of Oslo, and Daeun from the University of Ulsan, shared their unique experiences, providing insights into the academic and cultural dynamics of their respective countries.

Colombia Field School & Study, Research, Teach in France

On October 31, attendees engaged in a presentation by Dr. Andrés Arteaga on the Colombia Field School, which illuminated the significant roles of grassroots organizations in shaping Colombia's historical memory and peace initiatives. Following this, the session titled 'Study, Research, Teach in France' welcomed Noémie Thirot and Mélaine Ricard-Boulieu from the French Embassy (Ottawa) and the French Consulate (Moncton), who detailed diverse opportunities available in France for study, teaching, and research.

Global Learning Open House and Global Vending Machine

The Global Learning Open House and Global Vending Machine offered an opportunity to meet with Global Learning Team and exciting exploration of global cultures through snacks.

Killam Fellowships Information Session

The Killam Fellowships Information Session presented a transformative opportunity for Canadian students to study in the United States.

Metaponto Field School & Villa of Titus Archaeological Field School

Following, Drs. Sveva Savelli and Myles McCallum provided archaeological perspectives in the Metaponto and Villa of Titus Archaeological Field Schools sessions.

Year 2 at SMU: Study Abroad & Intercultural Panel Discussion

The 'Year 2 at SMU: Study Abroad' session informed students about study abroad opportunities, spanning all faculties, and detailed the application timeline, accompanied by a pizza lunch. An Intercultural Panel Discussion, facilitated by international students, fostered a dialogue on developing intercultural competence.

Women & Gender Studies Special Event

Nuestras Muertas, Nuestros Muertos: Decentering Gender & Decolonizing Feminist Epistemology

The week concluded with 'Nuestras Muertas, Nuestros Muertos,' a conference featuring guest speaker Yuderkys Espinosa Miñoso and the screening of "Las Tres Muertes de Marisela Escobedo." This full-day event was organized with support from SMU Dean of Arts Office/Arts with Impact, SMU WGST Program, SMU Patrick Power Library, SMU Global Learning and Intercultural Support, SMU Languages and Cultures, MSVU Library, MSVU International Education Centre, and the MSVU Office of Student Experience.

Urban Meadows Project Update

The Global Learning Office was pleased to welcome back the Better with Bees Team from Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford, NS, for their second presentation. Reflecting on the year since their initial appearance during IEW 2022, they shared updates about the Urban Meadows Project, impressing the SMU community with their continued dedication, knowledge, and enthusiasm. To watch the Better with Bees' work, view their documentary at https://youtu.be/7mxWywgq8gg, produced by their skilled documentary team.

Angers Program Information Session

Dr. Sophie Beaulé hosted an informative session about SMU’s longstanding partnership in Angers, France. Students have been attending this French language-learning program since the 1970s, and it remains one of our most popular study abroad destinations today. Allons-y!

Canadian Summer School in Germany (CSSG)

Dr. John Plews led a virtual presentation on the Canadian Summer School in Germany, a program where students can learn German, explore the country, and meet local friends.

Travel the World with SMU Student Societies

Travel the World with SMU Student Societies session allowed attendees to interact with representatives from different student societies, offering insights into diverse global cultures.

Interactive Session: The Sounds of Culture

On November 16, 'Interactive Session: The Sounds of Culture' took participants on an auditory journey, exploring the diverse cultural sounds from across the world. This session offered a distinctive approach to understanding global cultures through their auditory landscapes.

Info Session: Difficult Heritage Field School (Paris and Berlin)

An informative session on the Difficult Heritage Field School, presented by Drs. Jason Grek-Martin and Kirrily Freeman, explored historical sites in Paris and Berlin, illuminating aspects of history and memory in these European cities.

IEW Signature Event:
13th Annual Stories from Overseas

The International Education Week culminated with the 13th Annual 'Stories from Overseas' event. This gathering was designed to help participants challenge their preconceptions and beliefs, fostering a culture of understanding through the UNESCO Story Circles workshop. Aimed at addressing the Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) of the 2030 Agenda, the program showcased the broad scope of international education. Reflecting on the event, an attendee noted, “These stories highlight the transformative nature of international education,” emphasizing the profound impact of the shared narratives.

Stay tuned for the 2024 call of proposals and join us in next year’s celebration of international and intercultural experiences at Saint Mary’s University!

Studio Workshops on CCR

The Studio’s Writing Centre is pleased to announce that its undergraduate workshops are now recognized and included in the university's Co-Curricular Record (CCR). As a hub for academic communication support, the Writing Centre provides a wide range of services, including individual and group tutoring, workshops, in-class presentations, and online support, all free for students, faculty, staff, and alums.

This new development offers students recognition for students’ participation in workshops and showcases their skills and achievements. These workshops are designed to assist in developing writing abilities and contributing to academic success and are a valuable resource for students seeking to improve their CCR.

Stay informed about upcoming workshops and events by visiting our events page at studio.smu.ca/calendar and following us on social media.

Teaching English with a Global Outlook

Congratulations to our fantastic EAL tutor, Sandra, for being awarded the Eric & Ingeborg Enns Family IMTE Convocation Award. Read more about it here: https://news.smu.ca/news/2022/5/13/teaching-english-with-a-global-outlook

Saint Mary's Academic Writing Awards

The Writing Centre has announced that the deadline for this year’s Saint Mary's University Undergraduate Academic Writing Awards will be Monday, May 30, 2022 at 4:00pm AST.

This annual competition recognizes the best in undergraduate academic writing at Saint Mary's University. Awards are available in four categories: Humanities, Social Science, Science, and Business. There are also two levels of awards—lower (students with 60 or less total credit hours from any institution) and upper (students with more than 60 total credit hours from any institution). Papers at the upper level will be judged at a higher standard.

Submissions must be:

• Written by an undergraduate student

• Written entirely by the student making the submission

• Individually written; group assignments are not eligible

• From either Fall 2021 or Winter 2022 courses, but cannot be an undergraduate thesis

• Accompanied by the original assignment description from the course

• Accompanied by the submission form, digitally signed by the instructor of the course

• Submitted via email (writing@smu.ca) as a Microsoft Word document, unless the submission is in an alternative digital medium (e.g. .mp3, .mp4, .mov)

• Submitted before the deadline.

Students must agree to participate in the publishing process to be published.

Students may submit a paper from any course from September to April, regardless of whether it is related to their primary discipline. For example, a student in Science may submit an English paper.

For more information, please visit the Writing Awards website.