International education week at WLU

International Education Week at Wilfrid Laurier University began with a presentation on Monday evening by Jean-Marc Hachey.

The presentation, called Going Abroad 101, was a joint project by Laurier International and the Career Development Centre aimed at informing students on how to access international opportunities, but also on “how they can sell it once they return to other employers as well,” explained Jessie Eulenberg, career consultant with the Career Development Centre.

Hachey is the author of The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas, a guide to seizing and capitalizing on international experiences.

Since publication, the guide has been converted into an interactive and informative website, which offers resources on global opportunities ranging from academic studies abroad to permanent careers.

Bridging the gap between academic and career opportunities has been a central element to the programming at Laurier.

“The Career Centre and Laurier International work closely together,” said Phyllis Power, manager of global engagement programming at Laurier International. “We’re always looking for partnerships so that we can leverage each other’s strengths. Everyone benefits when we collaborate together rather than working by ourselves.”

With the boundaries of education expanding beyond the classroom, Laurier is aware of the importance of providing students with the opportunity to develop global knowledge and skills, imperative for the future work force.

“If you look at the academic mission of the university, it actually notes there that one of the core principles is global citizenship,” Power continued. “The reason for that is the diversity of the world. You don’t have to leave Canada to realize that you need intercultural competence to be able to work effectively, even in the Canadian environment.”

This importance is not lost on Laurier students, who were well aware of the value of global citizenship at the presentation.

“I have international experience, I’ve gone abroad twice,” said Heidi Madden, a fifth-year history and North American studies student, who was in attendance at the presentation. “And now, as a fifth-year student, I’m interested to know how to market those skills and those experiences to future employers.”

The presentation was streamed between the Waterloo and Brantford campuses, giving students at both locations to opportunity to capitalize on the resource, which did not go unnoticed, as many in attendance commenting on the resources available through the school.

”Students at Wilfrid Laurier University are just privileged to be in an environment where international experience is so valued and respected,” Hachey explained.