Preparing to study or work abroad doesn’t have to be complicated. We understand a lot of planning is involved and are here to help you through this process as we have helped others plan for traveling abroad for academic initiatives.
Pre-departure training
Students must complete pre-departure requirements assigned by Conestoga College, ISEP, and/or their host institution before departure. Students must complete Conestoga’s pre-departure training before they have the authorization to proceed with their study abroad activities and their learning agreement is signed. Post-return activities are required to be completed by the student within three (3) weeks of returning from abroad.
Conestoga will register you in the self-directed pre-departure modules. Further workshops, training and meetings may be required depending on your global activity. Some of these may be in person and mandatory to attend.
Funding for studying and working abroad
Below are funding options Conestoga students who join international experience activities can apply for. All students applying to study abroad are encouraged to apply.
Conestoga Global Initiatives - Study Abroad Grant (multiple grants available)
Open to study-abroad students only; this grant is valued at a variable amount per student, depending on the global initiative (physical study abroad only). All students who wish to study abroad in a Conestoga-approved program are eligible for this grant.
To apply, contact
global@conestogac.on.ca.
Conestoga Global Initiatives - Jet-Setter Grant (multiple grants available)
Open to study-abroad students only; this grant is valued at a variable amount per student, depending on the global initiative (physical study abroad only). This can be added to the Study Abroad Grant.
To be eligible for this grant, students must identify as members of an underrepresented group:
- a student receiving OSAP,
- a student with a disability registered with Accessible Learning, or
- an Indigenous student.
All students who wish to study abroad in a Conestoga-approved program and believe they may be eligible for this grant must self-identify and authorize a verification from various Conestoga departments as required.
To apply, contact
global@conestogac.on.ca.
Scotiabank Global Citizenship Award (three awards available)
Each year, up to three students will be selected to receive Scotiabank Global Citizenship Awards valued at $3,000 per student to support international experience activities, including an approved study abroad or work experience. Recipients of this award must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have been accepted to a study abroad term or overseas work experience. This award is offered to students in any Conestoga program for fall, winter, and spring terms.
To apply, fill out the
Scotiabank Global Citizenship Award form.
Note: students who receive the Scotiabank Global Citizenship Award are not eligible for the Conestoga Global Initiatives - Study Abroad Grant. Students can apply for both if they wish.
If selected, the funding outlined above is given to the student at the end of the study/work abroad term/timeframe. Students must successfully complete the semester/activities and return to Conestoga to be eligible.
Financial travel planning
There are many expenses to consider when participating in a study or work abroad experience. We recommend starting with the following items when you are budgeting for your travels:
Expenses
- Tuition payable to Conestoga
- Fees payable to third parties (such as ISEP)
- Application fees at the host or home institution
- Visa/study permit/application
- Passport and photos
- Housing and accommodation for time abroad
- Books and course materials
- Food and beverages
- Phone/Sim card/roaming/Wi-Fi
- Transcript request costs (if applicable)
- Credit transfer costs (if applicable)
- Airfare (round-trip airline ticket)
- Airport transportation (to and from your destinations)
- Insurance (travel and health)
- Entertainment (amount varies depending on interests)
- Medication
- Personal costs (including clothing, shoes, outerwear, personal amenities, non-food items, personal care costs, etc.)
- Immunization
- Local transportation (bus, train, etc., if applicable)
Funding
- Grants
- Personal savings
- Funding from parents/relatives
- Loans
- Other (income from job, etc.)
Helpful resources
Go Abroad:
Student Travel Budget Planner
Go Overseas:
How to Budget for Study Abroad
ISEP:
Create a Budget for Study Abroad