Canadian Universities Seek to Send More Students Abroad

February 3, 2012, 2:27 pm

Canadian university presidents want more of their students go abroad to study or to conduct research, reports The Globe and Mail. Canadian universities have hundreds of study-abroad programs, but there is a concern that most students are failing to take advantage of the opportunities. A survey released last year showed that more than a quarter of university students were considering studying abroad, saying that the experience could be an advantage in the job market. Canadian community colleges are also expanding their study- and work-abroad programs after a survey showed only a little more than 1 percent of college students went overseas.

This entry was posted in Canada. Bookmark the permalink.

E-mail

sherrysmarshall

This is a standard operationing procedure – it will never change.

There are three highly sucessful 50 year old community college systems in adjacent Prince George’s CTY, MD, Montomery CTY, MD and Northern Virginia Commumity College.

Why should this man get paid more than other established local community college presidents? There is no college yet.

The trip to the middle east? Really he is trying to start a community college for District of Columbia residents.

When this was first approached for UDC, I was enthusiastic. I am a big advocate of community colleges. I teach at one in Virginia.

I am so sad; this is typical DC politics. This job was given as a plum with large salary and expense account. I care more about DC’s community college students.

After almost 3 years and one million dollars, his contract has been exteneded another two years.
ftuer

Having taught in Canada and now in the USA the issues are similar. I’ve had extensive conversations and asked them to write about the challenge. One theme that comes up repeatedly is that students are working year-round while going to to school and they don’t believe they can step away from work to take a study abroad opportunity. If we want this to happen we have to get them planning and saving from Day One. Furthermore, in both countries I’ve noticed an increasing focus on “getting done” in four years max. if not sooner – taking a semester out somewhere else if they can’t accumulate the same # of credits as staying home becomes a “nice to do” but is considered to be a luxury. Concerns about safety have also increased dramatically since 9/11. It’s not that they wouldn’t like to study abroad and get more of a global perspective but it’s just so far down the line in terms of their priorities.