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Make The
World Your
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Explore the World through Education

The British Columbia Study Abroad (BCSA) Consortium is a group of BC post-secondary institutions that work together to encourage students to gain international academic experience by offering short-term study abroad programs across disciplines and countries around the world.

Go ahead; Make the World Your Classroom!

Megan Graham, Thompson Rivers University, winner of the BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

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Why You Should Pick a Small City for Your Academic Exchange

By: Maria Gabriela Rivera Monterrosa, University of Victoria, winner of the spring 2020 BC Study Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: France...

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BC Study Abroad Scholarships are back for Spring 2022

Are you currently studying or planning to study abroad in-person or virtually this spring? Apply now for a chance to receive a CAD$500 scholarship to enhance your learning experience abroad. BC...

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Announcing the Winners of our Fall 2021 Scholarship

Thank you to everyone who participated in our scholarship!

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Fall 2021 Stories from Abroad: British Columbia Study Abroad Scholarship...

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The Blog

Posted by BCSAadmin on 02/22/2022

Why You Should Pick a Small City for Your Academic Exchange

By: Maria Gabriela Rivera Monterrosa, University of Victoria, winner of the spring 2020 BC Study Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: France

As someone who grew up dreaming of living in Europe for at least a semester, I was sure that if given the opportunity I’d definitely pick a major city–like Paris, Milan or London. To everyone’s surprise, when the opportunity arrived and I had to pick a city to go on exchange in, I ended up picking a small French city over Paris.

The city I picked is called Reims: a city that is just a short forty-five minute train ride from Paris with a population of fewer than three-hundred thousand people. Famous for being home to some of the most famous champagne houses in the world and its historical importan...

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Testimonials

I think throughout this exchange, it has helped me understand a larger picture and window of possibilities that the world has to offer. Although the comfort of my home is cozy, it doesn’t help me accelerate my career to lengths I can imagine. It all starts with you taking that initial step and who knows where it might take you.

Brian Lau, Simon Fraser University, winner of the fall 2019 BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

Take the chance, get out of your comfort zone and ensure you put your all into whichever culture you’re exploring. The memories, experiences and insight you will gain will be priceless moments no one can teach you,

Porsche Campbell, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Winner of the spring 2019 BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

What are you going to do there? Listen. Reflect. Transform. We will stop asking what 'we'can do for 'them' and start asking how we can listen to each other and develop a truly sustainable global system together, remembering that sustainability is a three-pronged pursuit: Environmental, Social, and Economic.

Betsy Agar, Capilano University

Learning solely through books has its place, but actually getting out and experiencing the world is a whole different level. When you physically see the vast skies over the river, when you smell the dirt, flowers and trees after a downpour, when you taste the local food and see the smiles of its people; that’s absorbing knowledge.

Lisa King, Winner of the BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship, BCSA Writer in Residence

“The world is my home.” I realized that no matter where I am, I don’t need to miss home because I am home. Home is where one chooses to make it. Two months ago, home was in Abbotsford. Last month, home was in Arlon. Today, home is here in Rotterdam. I don’t know where my home will be next year, but I don’t feel worried about it anymore.

Oana Salcescu, BCSA Writer in Residence

The desire for independence and a sense of adventure were some of the driving forces behind my choices.

Melinda Ng, Winner of the BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship, BCSA Writer in Residence
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