"I have been lucky enough to get the chance to study abroad in Barbados at the University of the West Indies. It has been an experience unlike any other and I have loved every minute of it. Actively participating in Caribbean festivals like Carnival and Phagwa have been highlights of my time here, and the fact that the beach is only a five minute walk away through a monkey filled jungle isn't so bad either! I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel and work towards my degree at the same time. I would recommended this or any other study abroad exchange to any student who is focused on their academics but also has an urge for adventure, meeting new people and experiencing a culture entirely different from their own!" - Jessica Pinkham, 3rd Year Biology Student
"I always knew I wanted to travel after I graduated high school but didn’t want to take anytime off school. During my second year I started researching all of the opportunities that UPEI offers students, everything from weeklong programs to summer exchanges to an entire year abroad. I finally settled on a semester in Malta and it has been an incredible experience. Malta is a small island off the coast of Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea. It has all the feel of a trip down south but with the benefit of being in Europe, so travel is a breeze. The people are friendly and the university has a large international student population so I’ve been able to meet people from around the world. I strongly encourage anyone thinking about travelling while at UPEI to visit Sherilyn Acorn LeClair at the International Student Exchange office. There are so many options to fit any schedule, budget and interest, you’ll be sure to find the best option for you." - Kristin Sweet, 3rd Year Business Student
UPEI Nursing Students in Kenya
On an exceptionally balmy evening at the end of June, the Charlottetown Airport was a hub of activity and excitement as four families gathered to say good-bye and good luck to UPEI Nursing students, heading off to Kenya for three months. Marley Bruce, Rianne Carragher, Ashley Caulier, and Cheryl Edmunds each received $8,000 to participate in an internship through the Students for Development program. Students for Development is a way for young Canadians to work together to understand better international development challenges, and to take part in the search for solutions. Financial support for this program is provided by the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
The four interns will be working at Saint Theresa’s, a small community hospital in Kiirua located in the Mount Kenya region. They will rotate through a number of placements within the hospital, for example, outpatients, emergency, pediatrics and the maternal ward. They will also have the opportunity to work outside the hospital in an Aids Outreach program as well as in the Children’s Home (orphanage.)
UPEI Students Travel to Cairo for Summer Studies
Sherilyn Acorn-LeClair, International Student Exchange Coordinator, will accompany 15 students to Cairo, Egypt on July 23rd who will be participating in a 4-week Middle East Studies program in partnership with Misr International University (MIU). Mamdouh Elgharib, UPEI’s Manager of International Development, will join the students for ten days in early August.
The students will enjoy a week of field trips which will include the Alexandria Library, Islamic and Christian Cairo as well as museums, pyramids, the stock exchange, and different cultural events. They will then attend classes for three weeks of intensive study of the region’s history and culture. They will take a maximum of two courses, which, upon successful completion, will be transferred back to UPEI.
The students recently attended an orientation session in McDougall Hall facilitated by Sherilyn and Mamdouh. They also participated in a presentation by the Travel Clinic.
