Trent University Partners with Universities Canada to Build Study Abroad Opportunities for Students
$500,000 grant through Global Skills Opportunity Project connects Trent students with international learning opportunities in Mexico, Chile, Honduras and beyond
More Trent University students will gain global experience thanks to a $500,000 Global Skills Opportunity grant from Universities Canada to support international learning opportunities through the Trent Abroad program.
“The value of an international learning experience has lifelong impact and value,” said Glennice Burns, associate vice president of Trent International and Careers. “This federal funding will provide opportunities for Trent students to live and learn in different parts of the world, and ultimately benefit from personal, academic, and professional growth. We are thankful for these funds from the Government of Canada to enrich the lives and futures of Trent students through experiential global learning.”
The Trent Abroad program provides students with opportunities to explore academic learning, acquire hands-on training in the workplace, conduct research, and immerse themselves in new social and cultural experience – all while studying internationally. The funding from the Global Skills Opportunity project will make study abroad opportunities more accessible to more students, providing $500 to $10,000 grants toward studying in Belize, Mexico, Chile, Honduras, Alaska (USA), and Germany. Funding will be targeted to support Indigenous students, students with disabilities, and students from low-income backgrounds.
“We live in an increasingly interconnected world, so our education systems need to be fostering the development of global citizens,” said Paul Longhurst, global engagement manager for Trent International. “International experiential learning opportunities like the ones made possible through this funding will help Trent students be better prepared to address the serious global challenges that impact all of us.”
A portion of the funding will also allow the University to develop a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) course in connection with Universidad Vina Del Mar, Chile. The COIL course will explore cultural learning and literacy within an increasingly global community. The course will be open to all students across all disciplinary areas and will be a requirement for students participating in Trent study abroad programs.
The Trent Abroad initiative will begin accepting applications for funding from students beginning January 2022.
About Trent Abroad
Internationalization is an integral part of Trent's commitment to unite diversity through people and experience. It involves bringing the world to Trent and opening up amazing opportunities for international discovery. Since 1984, Trent International has managed an active exchange program, maintaining long-standing study abroad opportunities with more than 58 partners in 36 countries.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information contact:
Celia Grimbly, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or celiagrimbly@trentu.ca