Can I?

Any student enrolled in the BBA/iBBA program may apply to study abroad for one term. To be eligible to participate in the Exchange Program, students must:

1. Be in year 3 or year 4 for the proposed exchange term
2. Have successfully completed:
   • all year 1 and year 2 requirements for those applying for 3rd year exchange
   • all year 1, 2 and 3 requirements for those applying for 4th year exchange
3. Attain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.50 prior to the desired exchange term
4. iBBAs must have successfully completed intermediate level language competency, or higher, with a minimum grade of C.

For more information about the exchange program requirements and policies please see the Undergraduate Academic Handbook (page 31).

Should I?

Every Fall, the International Relations Office invites students to attend an International Opportunities Fair and Information Session to start their planning and research for all exchange destinations and possibilities.  All students considering going on exchange should attend the fair and information session prior to researching and submitting their applications.

International Opportunities Fair

The Fair is the event to learn about the schools with which have exchange partnerships.  Students will have the opportunity to view material about the school and their exchange program. However, what holds most value is being about to speak to Schulich students who have previously been on exchange, as well as students here on exchange.

In addition, students can learn about other opportunities to “internationalize” their degree or get involved in the exchange community.

Update Fall 2022: Due to the limited number of students who went on exchange last year, we’ve decided to offer a second info session in place of the fair. Please see details below. 

Information Session

To complement the fair, we will hold an information session where students can receive more details and ask us questions about the following:

• All International Opportunities
• **New for Fall 2022: Student Experience Panel**
• New Partnerships
• Eligibility and academics
• Finances
• Application requirements and selection process
• Tips and tricks to be the best exchange applicant you can be

October 4th 2023-2024 Info Session Recording

2023-2024 Info Session slides

Exchange Application Q&A and Drop-in Advising

As mentioned during the info session I will be offering Q&A and Drop-in advising for the exchange application leading up to the deadline.

What’s the difference between a Q&A and Drop-in Advising sessions?

Q&A Session: An open meeting with all interested students to ask generic questions about the application that other students could benefit from listening to.

Drop-in Advising: One-on-one short meetings to discuss personal/confidential questions/situations about exchange.

Please attend the session that applies to the questions you have. The schedule is below (click on the date to access the Zoom meeting):

**Only attend a session below if you attended the info session or watched the recording. I will not be answering questions that are answered on the website, in the info session recording or on the slide deck. **

Q&A Session (Zoom): Tuesday November 8th 1:00PM – 2:30PM

Drop-In Advising (In person – Marketplace): Thursday November 10th 1:30PM – 3:00PM

Q&A Session (Zoom): Friday November 11th 1 – 2:30PM

Exchange Reports

Pre Winter 2020 – Log in with your Passport York

Winter 2020 & 2022 terms – you MUST log in with your York U email through Outlook.

Online Application

DEADLINE FOR EXCHANGE IN 2023-2024:  MONDAY NOVEMBER 14th @ 12 NOON

Submitting an application is the first formal step of the process. Complete the online application form and upload the following documents online.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

 List and describe 3 specific criteria you used to narrow down your choices (300 words max). You can also include anything confidential or personal you would like the Exchange Selection Committee to know. (Upload a pdf document)

A Proposed Study Plan form listing the courses you are interested in taking on exchange for your TOP 3 SCHOOL CHOICES.  The purpose is to ensure students have thoroughly researched, that the schools meet academic goals and for the committee to have an idea of what applicants are interested in taking.

A Proposed Budget – Submit ONE budget ONLY. Not one for every school/country. Use a range if schools/countries have varied costs.

Resume – 2 pages maximum:  Basic – employment and cocurricular/community involvement

Language Referee Form – OPTIONAL – Only submit if you are planning on taking business or other courses taught in the local language (not language study)

Optional: Creative Bonus
Show us your passion for exchange by expressing your creativity. Some ideas for creative submission (but not limited to):

• Video
• Infographic
• Song/Rap/Spoken word
• Painting/drawing/graphic design
• Dance via video

*Any video/audio submissions must be maximum 1 minute. Any written, graphic or other formats much be 1 page maximum.

DEADLINE FOR EXCHANGE IN 2023-2024:  MONDAY NOVEMBER 14th @ 12 NOON

*Late applications will be subject to penalty

Interviews begin  late-NOVEMBER and run until the end of February/early March. Students will be redirected to book their Exchange Evaluation Session when they submit the application.  

(Virtual) Interview

Individual Interview

• Prepare for questions about criteria, school choices and overall intention and goals for exchange
• Optional: discuss creative submission

Students should prepare for a 15 minute interview.  They will sign up for a session that fits their schedule.  Students will sit in a virtual waiting room and be invited to join the Exchange Selection Committee for their individual interview.

Matching Procedure

Students are evaluated by the Exchange Selection Committee on their overall application, including interview, group exercise, and optional creative submission, then given an overall score. The Committee is looking at:

• Rationale of exchange choices
• Attitude towards a global experience
• Professionalism and ambassadorial skills
• Evaluation ranking and available spaces

Students will be invited to a ceremony at the end of the selection process where they will learn the school they have been matched. They will be given one week to confirm their acceptance of the offer.

Partner School Nominations

Once confirmed, the Undergraduate International Program Coordinator will nominate the student(s) to the partner school at which time the exchange school will contact the student to begin setting up the exchange. The student will be required to submit the requested documentation to the exchange school.

Student Responsibilities

Students must:

• Register in the appropriate number of EXCH 4900-level courses through Passport York
• Submit the online Emergency Contact Form and Risk & Responsibility Waiver Form

Amend OSAP application

• Students must submit the Exchange Program OSAP form to the York U OSAP office

Student Responsibilities

Academic

Students will required to submit the following items:

• Exchange Report
• Social Media Submission
• Volunteer at International Opportunities Fair
• Join the Open Arms Committee
• Update your Resume

Please follow the format outlined in the Exchange Report & Social Media Requirements.

For any additional questions or concerns, feel free to contact a member of the International Relations Team