There are countless reasons why you may choose to study or work abroad during your time at Seneca. In addition to seeing another part of the world and experiencing life in a new culture, the opportunity can provide you with an opportunity to explore academic and work environments outside of Canada.

Global opportunities also provide you with marketable skills, such as intercultural learning, adaptability and flexibility, which you can highlight to future employers. You may also learn a new language, expand your network or simply check a travel destination off your bucket list.

The International Mobility Office offers four main types of programs, called global opportunities: 

Semester Exchange allows you to study abroad for a semester (four to six months) with one of our international partners. You will explore new cultures and new forms of teaching while earning credit towards your Seneca credential.

Summer Academic Program allows students to study abroad for two to six weeks during the summer. Students typically take one or two courses that can offset the workload for an upcoming term. These programs have extracurricular activities and experiential learning embedded in the programming to ensure you explore the local culture and context of the host country.

Faculty-Led Program Abroad (FLPA) is an opportunity to take Seneca courses overseas. You will join a group of Seneca students and experience the world under the guidance of a Seneca faculty member.

International Work Experience: Several programs at Seneca have mandatory or optional work experience components. These may come in the form of field placements, externships, work terms or co-ops. This global opportunity allows you to gain a competitive edge when entering an increasingly globalized work force. 

Seneca has global opportunities in South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Different programs are offered in different parts of the world. 

Our global opportunities take place throughout the year:

Semester Exchange takes place in fall or winter semester. If the dates of Seneca’s academic calendar and your host institution cause a scheduling conflict, accommodations will be made to allow you to complete your semesters at both your host institution and at Seneca.

Summer Academic Program takes place during the summer months between May and August.

Faculty-Led Program Abroad typically takes place during the summer months (May to August) but as we expand opportunities, there may be options available during the fall and winter semesters.

International Work Experience takes place throughout the academic year based on when academic areas require students to enrol in a field placement, externship, work term or co-op.

To be eligible to participate in a global opportunity, Seneca students must:

• have completed one full semester of study at Seneca prior to participation
• be currently enrolled as a full-time student at Seneca
• have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
• be in good standing in Seneca
• be 18 years of age or older

Some programs will have additional eligibility requirements.

Yes. International students at Seneca who are interested in participating on a global opportunity are required to meet with an International Student Adviser at their campus prior to starting their application to ensure their program of study and/or study permit will not be impacted by travelling abroad.

At this time, Seneca only allows students to participate in programs that have been vetted by our International Mobility Office. Seneca’s global opportunity partners are listed on our website under each of the “Our Opportunities” options. 

Once you choose your global opportunity, follow the detailed application instructions. Applications are submitted through an online portal and require students to upload a signed learning agreement, personal statement, resume and budget. 

Deadlines for each program can vary. More information is listed on our website under each of the “Our Opportunities” options. In general, we accept applications from mid-fall to mid-winter semester for the upcoming academic year.

Once you’ve submitted your completed application, the International Mobility Office and the SenecaAbroad Selection Committee will review your application. It can take our office 10 to 15 business days to review your application. If your application is approved, you will receive an email with next steps.

The type of accommodation available to you will depend on the type of global opportunity you have been accepted to as well as the host/partner organization where you will be studying or working:

• for Semester Exchange or Summer Academic Program, host institutions will facilitate on-campus and/or off-campus housing options
• for Faculty-Led Program Abroad, accommodations are typically arranged through the International Mobility Office
• students taking part in International Work Experience should consult with their WIL/Field Placement Co-ordinators and/or Host Organization for more information on accommodation 

No. While helpful, fluency in the language of your destination country is not a requirement to take part in a global opportunity. All courses offered through Semester Exchange, Summer Academic Programs and Faculty-Led Programs Abroad — except courses for learning a second language — are offered in English.  

There are a limited number of spaces available on each type of global opportunity that we offer. If you aren’t selected for your first choice, we will work with you to find an alternate program.

Ensuring the you earn credits for the course(s) that you take abroad is an important part of preparing for your global opportunity. The International Mobility Office and your Program Co-ordinator will help you through the process of identifying courses abroad that will be eligible for credit transfer at Seneca.

Visit the Credit Transfer Guide and use it as a starting point when thinking about which institution to attend and which courses to select. The credit transfer guide is meant to be used as a guideline and never a rule as credit transfer can vary for individual students based on their program of study, courses already completed at Seneca and program completion requirements.

The Learning Agreement is a tool used by students and academic areas to confirm that the courses students take abroad will transfer to their Seneca credential.

Explore our student blogs and stories to learn more about the experiences of Seneca students and faculty who have participated in a global opportunity. Our past participants may visit one of your classrooms to speak about their time abroad. We also invite past participants to join our pre-departure training to share their experiences with students going to the same partner institution or program location. 

The cost of taking part in a global opportunity varies based on the type of program, length of the program and destination. You will be registered as a Seneca student while abroad and in most cases, you are paying your tuition to Seneca. Some programs will have an additional fee that could include accommodation, meals and extracurricular activities. The costs of each program are listed on our program pages.

Additional expenses to consider include:

• airfare
• ground transportation
• travel documents such as passport and visa fees
• accommodation
• meals
• personal travel

Yes, students may receive support through the International Experience Grant. The amount of funding a student receives depends on the type of global opportunity and the length of time abroad. When students apply for their global opportunity, they are also applying for the International Experience Grant — a separate application is not required.

Yes. For more information on OSAP, including eligibility requirements and how much funding you may be able to receive, visit their website or contact your Financial Aid Adviser.

Canadian students are encouraged to review the entry and exit requirements for their destination country. International students are advised to check with their nearest host country’s consular office to determine if they require a visa.

In order to mitigate safety risks while abroad, all Seneca students taking part in a global opportunity have access to International SOS and are required to complete pre-departure steps.  

The International Mobility Office is available to answer any questions you have about planning your global opportunities. You can get in touch with by email at senecaabroad@senecacollege.ca, attend one of our upcoming information sessions or webinars, or follow us on social media @Seneca_Go and #SenecaAbroad.