Quick Links: Why get involved? | How does it work? | Where can I go? | Student Testimonies

STUDENT ABROAD What is Student Abroad? UNB recognizes that we live in an increasingly globalized world. This is why the university provides students with overseas opportunities. The Student Abroad Program involves exchanges, internship programs or courses at overseas institutions. The Conference Board of Canada has identified that, for students, being educated in a diverse environment better prepares them for excelling in today’s global work environment. Studying at an internationalized institution provides them the opportunity to become “globally literate”, to enhance their intercultural competencies required in today’s job market, and to learn about diversified cultural and political perspectives. Download the Student Abroad Brochure - 604kb - Acrobat PDF File. Download the List of Exchange Partners

Student Abroad Slide Show

Why get involved? - Back to Top

“ Canada needs citizens who are attuned to global realities. Student Abroad can be the first exciting step into that bigger world.” Kathy Hamer, UNB vice-president ( Saint John ).

Apart from gaining a cosmopolitan worldview and/or second language skills and/or courses towards a degree, it is a life changing experience: According to a recent poll, Canadian business executives ranked a cosmopolitan worldview and second language training as key skills required for future corporate leaders. This trend is especially heightened in trading nations such as Canada . One of the best ways to develop the skills and attitudes necessary to adapt and prosper amid this change is to live and learn overseas for an extended period of time.

How does it work? - Back to Top

Student Abroad Programs are integral to UNB’s internationalization strategy. UNB offers a variety of different abroad opportunities to students on both the UNB and Saint John campus. With a belief that an overseas experience alone will not necessarily develop one’s inter-cultural skills, the Student Abroad Program sandwiches an overseas living and studying experience between a year of preparation and a year of follow-up. UNB Fredericton students will ideally enter the programme in their second academic year. During this year, the student will take part in cross-cultural training sessions, pre-departure training, and will participate in and help organize international activities on campus. During the student’s third academic year, the student will study or intern overseas for a term or an entire academic year at the partner institution. During their fourth academic year they will take part in a debriefing program, which will help them identify the skills they have developed, and help prepare other students who will be leaving to study overseas.

Where can I go? - Back to Top

Whether you're intrigued by Australia, Austria or Asia, the Student Abroad Program is sure to offer you a destination to your liking.  For information on the universities that we currently have exchange agreements with, please see the Get Involved section of the website.  Some are open to any full-time UNB students, while others are faculty-specific.  Your faculty may offer additional international opportunities not listed here. If you have any questions, contact the International Relations Office: 453 4816/ iro@unb.ca

Student testimonies - Back to Top

	Article by Lindsey Pendleton, a fourth-year UNB Business Administration student who spent 5 months at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia as part of UNB’s Student Abroad Program.
Kayaking the wide open ocean between Australia and New Zealand, surfing the waves on famous Bondi beach, exploring the magnificent city of Sydney, hiking the Blue Mountains, camping in the amazing Outback, attending the Uni games in Brisbane on a sports team; these are just a very few of the marvilous experiences awaiting you on the UNB Student Abroad Program. Being a student of UNB Fredericton for four years, I know as well as anybody how great of a place it is, and how you become so comfortable and content with such surroundings and wonderful friends; but the chance to study abroad may only come once in a lifetime, and it is one I beg of you to consider. It is so exciting attending class in a new country, new University, and making new friends from all around the world. I feel this has been the most important lesson thus far during my experience; getting to know many other cultures and seeing life with a new perspective. For those of you who love having a good time, Australia is the place to go! Don’t get me wrong, I can have a good time at Nicki Zee’s on a Saturday night, and a lot of fun at Dolan’s on Thursday listening to a band, but the opportunities surrounding the night life here are endless. Whether it’s just chillin’ with some friends at a pub, listening to a new and upcoming Australian band, or totally letting your hair down for a full night out of dancing ‘til 5:00am - Sydney has it all! It is truly fabulous! The wildlife is also magnificient with amazing Koalas, Kangaroos, Walabi’s, and over 800 species of birds. Whether seeing them in their natural habitat or in an animal refugue, these animals are truly amazing!! So, whether it’s the night life, wild life, new friends, new city, or nature which turns your crank; the study abroad program is definitly worth looking in to!! Later Mate, Lindsey Pendleton

To read more about UNB's students' experiences abroad, visit our STUDENT TESTIMONIES page, or click on these links to read about:

Erin Macdonald in Bangkok, Thailand

Alex Campbell in Singapore

Katriena McKay in Townsville, Australia

Magda Piasecka in St. Etienne, France

Peter Trusiak's trip to Cambridge, England

Jennifer Weston's time in Brighton, England