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Motiram Singh is a graduate of the Two-Year Social Service Worker program.

I found out about this opportunity through a seminar facilitated by the International Education Centre at Algonquin College. I could not believe it when I found out that a student could do a field placement almost anywhere in the world to earn the necessary credits for their program and get a $2500 scholarship to help with the expenses. Wow! I thought this was the perfect opportunity for me as the main reason for me taking the Social Service Worker program was to one day return to Guyana, the country of my birth, and open a social agency to help the underprivileged. I went through the application process that includes me having to find an agency that would take me on as an overseas student. This was done with the help of one of my friends in Guyana. I was excited when I found out everything was accepted by the college. Here was my chance to see what it would be like living and working in Guyana, specifically familiarizing myself with the available social services currently offered in that country.

Over the next two months, I organized: running competitions, cricket, soccer and basketball games in the park; learning activities like a spelling contest, teaching some residents how to read a clock; facilitated group discussions on drugs and crime; recreational programs like bingo, board games, art and crossword puzzles; group outings to the Fair and The Rotary Club of Georgetown annual Easter Kite Flying Picnic. I managed to build a strong rapport very quickly with the children. This was easy not only because of the activities I organized and the donated equipment I had taken but because they couldn’t believe I had travelled all the way from Canada to work with them.

The time spent in Guyana was great. On a personal level I found out what life is like in an orphanage which I was always curious about. I also had a wonderful time getting to know my homeland and the culture. On a professional level, I got the opportunity to practice my social services worker skills in a developing nation with underprivileged people. Needless to say their needs are many. I was also able to meet a few teachers and social workers who shared some of their experiences with me and they will be an asset to me when I return to Guyana to open an agency. In the meantime, this international experience has helped my resume considerably and I will suggest the following to any student thinking of travelling overseas as part of their studies: Step out of your comfort zone and go for it as it’s an amazing experience. You will never regret it.

Michael Bendick (in white) is a student in the Three-Year Mechanical Engineering Program.

I participated in a student exchange to India in spring of 2009. I attended Manev Rachna International University in Faridabad, India for 2 months. This experience was such an amazing opportunity for me. I was always looking for a travel opportunity like this but was never able to find the time or resources to do such a thing. The international scholarship was a huge help in allowing me to complete some of my education abroad.

My experience there was fantastic. India is not a super tourist friendly country, and we were expecting a big cultural shock once we arrived and we experienced exactly that. Just about everything was different in ways I can’t even describe. Our collaborating school in India was very helpful in making sure we were able to settle in, and tended to any of the needs we had when we were there.

The school experience was very different. I’m glad I had the opportunity to work with people in the international community, and see my field of study without a Canadian influence. While in India, I was given the opportunity to tour commercial sites, and manufacturing plants. I would never be able to do that any other way. The experience I gained from studying there will certainly give me an edge when looking for jobs after graduating. When I return to classes in September, I will appreciate everything my school does for me.

Aside from school, I was able to easily tour the country for as long as I pleased after exams had finished. An incredible backpacking experience was the finale to my amazing Indian experience. I certainly recommend this opportunity to anybody looking to expand their horizons and experience education in a totally different way.

Carrie Heffernan is a graduate of the Two-Year Social Service Worker Program.

For my internship I worked in the camping department at the Fresh Air Fund. I worked closely with the camp that deals with children who have disabilities. I spoke and met with children and their parents to see if we would be able to support them at summer camp. I was also heavily involved in hiring camp staff. Some of my responsibilities included verifying references, notifying new staff of documents needed, and orienting new staff. Lastly one of my major assignments was to recruit more children with special needs to camp. I would research, contact, and network with other agencies in New York City.

All of my expected goals were achieved in my placement abroad. My biggest goal was to learn and observe the differences between New York City’s social service agencies and their policies and compare it to ours here back in Ottawa.

I learned so much within the two months working at Fresh Air. Specially, I learned that it is so important to get out there and see the world and see how other people work and live. I also feel that I grew as a person both professionally and personally. Being on your own in a major city like New York, makes you evaluate your life and grow as an individual. In regards to work, I learned how difficult it can be for children and families to grow up in NYC, especially families who are disadvantaged.

Personally, I learned that travelling is all about budgeting. New York City is very costly, and sometimes theses experiences can add up if you are not budgeting properly.

I also realized how lucky we are to be living in Canada. As much as America can sometimes be all about the “American Dream” I feel we are fortunate to be here in Canada. One major example is the American health care system, we are very fortunate to have the public system that we have here!

I also met a variety of people/friends who I hope to remain in contact with for a long time. I will have this experience to remember for a lifetime and will benefit in future travels from the things I learned about myself and others on this trip. The scholarship was a wonderful opportunity to help fulfill my goals.

Witold Zych, a student in the Mechanical Engineering Technician: Toolmaking program did a study abroad placement at Manav Rachna International University (MRIU) in Faridabad, India

When I first heard of the exchange program being offered to go study in India, I was immediately sold on the idea. The interest grew even more when I learned that there was the Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship to help cover the costs for travel, tuition and accommodations. India was an experience. It was an assault on all of my senses, and at any given time it was easy to be overwhelmed by my surroundings. The school (Manav Rachna International University) was situated just outside of Delhi in the city of Faridabad, just far away enough to be able to study in peace and quiet without the distractions that the city offered. The weekends allowed me to travel and experience the sights of India. Upon completion of the school semester some of my fellow students and I travelled the rest of the country, which gave us a completely new outlook on India. The place is spectacular. I would highly recommend to anyone considering gaining international experience to take advantage of this opportunity.

Reagan Sutherland (middle), Documentary Production program graduate, Class of 2010, shot a film in Sierra Leone. Reagan is pictures with members of the Amputee and War Wounded Association of Kenema’s football team.

Western Africa always seemed like a place I would go, sometime in the future, when I was a little braver. So, when my classmate, Kristen McNaule, started talking about her upcoming trip to Sierra Leone, I was really jealous, even though I knew nothing about it. Luckily for me, the first two people she asked dropped out and so I jumped at the chance. Even though we would be working hard and shooting documentaries for our program, Documentary Productions, I knew it would be a trip I wouldn’t soon forget.

We spent the first 5 days in Freetown, the amazingly chaotic capital. Since we had our camera gear with us, we had hired a guide and driver who showed us around, told us stories of their experiences during the civil war, helped us barter and introduced us to the food and culture. We worked full days shooting our documentary, but relaxed in the evenings with a Star beer or Savana on the YMCA balcony; it was the only way to stay cool during the 30C nights and had an amazing view of the city. After Freetown we headed to Kenema to shoot another documentary, this one on WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). We lived with a host family and her 14 (mostly adopted orphans) children. Kenema was a completely different experience for us. We went from having our own room and freedom to do what we wanted to having to live by the rules of a large family with cultural differences we didn’t understand. But, by the end of our week there, we had fallen in love with the more laid back vibe, our host family (especially Frank, the adorable 3 year old) and Kenema.

The best part of our trip was definitely the people we met. By having a guide (who ended up sticking with us almost the entire 3 weeks) and staying with a host family we were really able to get to know people and have a connection with them and the beautiful country of Sierra Leone. We can’t wait to go back!

Alycia Bannon (right) with Jocelyn McAlpine (left) both graduates of the Recreation and Leisure Studies Program, Class of 2010 did Summer work at Camp Beaumont, England.

Traveling to England for a summer definitely tops the list for the best summer ever and experience of a lifetime, also having the chance to work in my chosen field of recreation was a major bonus!

I worked at Camp Beaumont, as a Group Leader. Camp Beaumont is an International Adventure Holiday summer camp welcoming children aged 7-18 to participate in sports and recreation activities. I have always wanted to travel the world and experience as much as possible in life. When this opportunity came up I thought hard about it, but when I mentioned it to people, with a developed career that never had the chance to travel, they all said “I wish I had of…” that is when I knew I had to do it.

My over all trip was amazing. Working and traveling for two months I met so many great people, gained a lot of experience and made lifetime memories. Having the chance to live in a different country I experienced a new culture. You may think England and Canada are very similar, as did I before traveling there. Everything from the food, to the language and architecture is all very different. I worked with children from all over the world, making language a major barrier. These experiences helped develop my ability to work with different people as well as understand other cultures and ways of life, these are all attributes that are key for someone in the recreation field. I also gained a lot of excellent resources for my future in recreation.

While being a Group Leader I got to put what I learned in my classes to work. Being a student in a classroom, teachers can provide you with endless amounts of resources and teach you many things but, after completing four field placements, I can say that my placements are really where I got my experience and knowledge, especially while in England.

I would suggest anyone that has the chance to go abroad for a placement should do it. It was a total blast, you meet so many new people and experience more then you could ever imagine, oh and it looks really nice on your resume.

Katie Driscoll, (left) with one of her patients, is a graduate of the Social Service Worker Program (Intensive)

I did my SSW placement in Tanzania, Africa at the Amani Centre which is a centre for children with disabilities. When I started at Algonquin College I never once imagined that by the second semester I would be flying half way across the world to Africa as part of my program experience. I prepared myself before leaving Canada so well that when I arrived nothing seemed to bother me, not even the lack of water and having to shower out of a bucket. The process of applying for this scholarship really helped make the experience go much smoother in the long run. While in Tanzania, for my field placement, I did home visits to families who could not access the Amani Centre due to lack of financial resources or transportation. Also, I worked in the physiotherapy unit as well as the day care. I spent the majority of the time with the children. It was a struggle learning a new language but certainly not impossible.

This experience took me way out of my comfort zone and there were many ups and downs as with any experience but in the end it was the best thing I have ever done. I learned so much about myself, others, and I believe it will make me a better social worker in the future. My view of Africa has changed dramatically and I highly recommend to anyone who has the opportunity to go to do so. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that one day I will be able to travel while in school but at Algonquin College I did just that. Tanzania is a beautiful country and it would be well worth the long flight to experience its beauty.

Rong Lu (pictured in the Shanghai subway) is a graduate of the Tourism and Travel program, Class of 2010

My international field placement took place in Shanghai, China from March until May 2010. Overall the experience was extremely enjoyable. I met so many great people and developed friendships with all types of people. The trip allowed me to put the skills I have learned in the classroom into real-life scenarios. I also started building my professional career network and gained a tremendous amount of experience in the tourism field.

The company that I volunteered for was Shanghai Yangzi International Travel Service, China. During the two months placement, I did researched and analyzed various Canadian, Chinese and European tourist destinations to meet the needs of different cultures and backgrounds of their clients. I traveled as a tour guide to Jiu Hua Mountain which is one of four Buddhism pilgrimage places in China. I also organized the one day kite-group-trip which was very successful. My placement company even offered me the chance to visit Expo 2010 Shanghai which the theme is “Better City, Better Life” this year. All of these experiences helped me develop my ability to understand other people and cultures, but also gain work experience in the tourism industry.

The Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship and Algonquin College were very supportive helping me to fulfill my career goals. Without it, I would never have had the valuable experiences that will benefit in my future career. If anyone is thinking of having abroad working and traveling experience related to their program, they shouldn’t pass up this opportunity up.

This experience taught a tremendous amount about the culture of India. The air conditioned staff hostel has made our climate adapting process much easier as well as help to study in comfort. The hardest adjustments were the lack of proper nutrition, and understanding the Hindi accents. However, once we’d found accommodating malls in Faridabad, we had food we could enjoy while slowly and occasionally trying Indian dishes. Usually the odd taste and spice would upset my stomach, but now, I am open to anything. I especially enjoy Parantha with different sauces. The accents got easier to understand too.

The teaching style in India is different as there is more dictation. The classroom environment is way noisier and non-formatted. I found the constant interruptions from students with questions hard to get used to but I adapted. Overall the teachers were easier to follow with a slower pace than in Canada. I also found the teachers to be more personable and easier to approach with any concerns.

When I start my job searching, I will be able to show how I have seen manufacturing facilities in India and I now have many contacts that work in my area of study overseas. I believe that I can do anything now and will take more pride in the work I do because of how I lived and worked in India.

In general, the people of India tend to be quick to make an introduction and are interested to learn about Canada. I found it very easy to make friends here. All the classmates get along with each other very well despite their unique personalities. The physical contact and closeness took some getting used to as well. It just means people are more comfortable with and accepting of one another. The tighter rules make people more respectful and “down-to-earth” in India. It really helps that everyone or almost everyone speaks a little English.

I am very glad I went to India. The slower lectures made it easier to grasp concepts. But most of all is the development of our social skills. India teaches us to be patient in stressful situations. Also, in dealing with communication barriers and interacting with a different culture with different values, we learn to be more respectful. I’ve learned from people of India on how to treat others. The initial culture shock was hard, but it is now a new lifestyle for me. I see those less fortunate and it makes me appreciate what I have in Canada much more.

I will no doubt return to India to visit someday in the future. There are many beautiful places to see and many people to learn from in a country booming with industry and over 1 billion people. This opportunity was an unexpected learning component from the Mechanical Engineering Technology program that surely can’t be valued by any global currency. Thank you Manev Rachna International University for the opportunity of a lifetime!

John McMullin, with the Himalayan mountains in the background (and wearing Algonquin College gear), is a Mechanical Engineering Technology graduate. He did a study abroad placement at Manav Rachna International University in Faridabad, India.

India! Looking back I still can’t believe how much I have learned about life. This trip has broadened my mind about the real world. If I had the chance to go to India again I would in a heartbeat.

As soon as we arrived in India we found that everyone wanted to help us and make sure we felt welcomed. The people of India treated us like kings! We were taken to get groceries whenever we wanted, and we were able to plan trips to Agra, Jaipur, and Manali on a few weekends to see different parts of India. Studying did come first so we had to make sure assignments were handed in and we were caught up on all school work.

Learning in India was less structured and I found it harder to understand concepts than here in Canada as our learning here is more practical and less memorizing. The teaching is more of a dictation style.

The climate, language, and food were by far the hardest parts of the trip. Most mornings I would wake up at 7am to a 40 degree day, and eat maggi noodles for breakfast. I brought 50 pounds of Canadian food and had to ration that for my two months which was very difficult. I was a vegetarian for the month of March, in turn made me lose a lot of weight. The language barrier was a little difficult but with time I was able to adapt.

India is a beautiful country with a very diverse atmosphere. You will see anything in India. This is what I liked so much, everyday when I walked out my front door I didn’t know what to expect. Thank you India for opening my mind and giving me so much more than I expected. For those who haven’t been to India I highly recommend the adventure. Santra…