Studying abroad: Participating in the International Mobility Program

Christina Lépine - Features Editor

Duringthe fall semester, the International Mobility Program held an information session online on Nov. 15 and in Cleghorn on Dec. 5 to offer more information to students interested in studying abroad for one or two semesters. Throughout these information sessions, students interested in participating could ask questions and receive information on the selection process and the funding needed, among other topics.

Chloé Rouleau, pursuing a mathematics major at Bishop’s, mentioned she decided to participate in this program to spend a semester in Australia, since she has a passion for travelling and she would like to experience another education system that differs from her experience studying in Sherbrooke. Rouleau mentioned she had been interested in participating in the student exchange before going to the information sessions, but attending these meetings permitted her to answer questions she had not thought of but that other students asked. She wishes to develop her sense of autonomy and to make new friends abroad.

Fabrice Blais-Savoie, pursuing an honours in international studies and a minor in political studies, mentioned: “Learning international studies from one university, in one country, is limiting oneself to a narrow understanding of the field. The exchange semester will allow me to gather knowledge from a different perspective. It will allow me to truly immerse myself in the European systems of governance and be much closer to the historic core of this field.” He is excited to study abroad since “the exchange will allow me to experience varied perspectives afforded by the opportunity to learn from professors with distinct scholarly experience and who can share it from their unique cultural standpoint.”

When asked about the selection process to participate in the International

Mobility Program, Blais-Savoie answered: “You must be present at one information session and then fill out an online form. The form requires you to select three universities and rank them by preference. You then need to write a 400 word maximum essay for each, justifying your choice, and then select eight prospective classes for each university. These classes must be approved by your department chair to ensure that they can be credited to your Bishop’s degree. The form also requires you to write a 1000 word maximum essay justifying your decision to go on exchange.”

However, unlike Rouleau, Blais-Savoie’s desire to study abroad was more academic, since he must complete a student exchange as part of his honours degree. Nonetheless, he mentioned that the information session served “as a question-and-answer session so any worries that students might have can be assuaged by the international mobility advisor.”