Your November 2021 edition
Welcome to the International Insights newsletter, a monthly roundup of news, opportunities and updates with an international focus, curated by Western International for the Western community.
Western receives $3M investment to help more students gain global skills
A 10-day tour of Scandinavian health care organizations in 2019 completely opened Western student Danilla Xing’s eyes to new possibilities.
“The biggest thing I learned was there are so many different ways of solving problems,” said Xing, now in her fifth year of a combined degree in the School of Health Studies and Ivey Business School. The trip was part of Aging Globally: Lessons from Scandinavia, a course she was interested in due to the exceptional reputation of Scandinavian health care and the opportunity to learn about it first-hand.
“We visited people who impacted the health care system from all different perspectives. We met with non-profit organizations; formal government representatives; local care homes… you just saw a diversity of thinking and ways of approaching care that were completely different.”
Xing is one of 90 Western Health Studies students who have participated in the innovative blended in-class course and international study tour led by health sciences associate professor Aleksandra Zecevic. Xing ended up returning to Denmark on her own for a two-month internship with one of the agencies she discovered on the tour.
Thanks to almost $3 million from Canada’s new Global Skills Opportunity program, 298 more Western students like Xing will have the opportunity to gain global experience – including those who have traditionally faced barriers to learning abroad.
Nearly $1 million will expand the Aging Globally: Lessons from Scandinavia initiative over the next three years by enabling 198 students to participate in the international course, internships, summer programs or academic exchanges with partners in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. Of those, more than 80 spots will be designated for Indigenous students, students with disabilities and students from low-income backgrounds.
International students share their experiences with diversity
Amin Biparva describes his experience as an international student at Western as one that has been both exceptional and challenging.
“There have been some cultural gaps and I’ve struggled a bit since I came here,” said Biparva, who travelled to Western from Iran in April for the Master’s in Civil Engineering Program.
“Your family isn’t with you and you don’t have your friends from home. You try to branch out away from people from your home country to meet people from other countries to practice English, but then you might get left out. Making friends can be difficult and making connections can be tricky.”
Biparva and five other undergraduate and graduate international students - Elmond Bandauko, Freya Wang, Panashe Nyaude, Grace Meza and Inaara Savani - all shared their insights as part of a student panel for a webinar focused on equity, diversity, inclusion and the impact on the international student experience which featured Associate Vice-President Opiyo Oloya and held on November 15 as a special kick-off to International Week at Western.
Western Heads East internships - applications now open
Do you know a student who may be interested in earning course credit while making a positive social impact?
Encourage them to apply for an internship with the Western Heads East program. On-site and remote opportunities are available.
This is a great opportunity for students to gain internship experience while assisting with health sustainability initiatives in East Africa.
Opportunities can be found on the Western Heads East website and applications are due January 15, 2021.
International Week session recordings available online
International Week 2021 was packed with thoughtful discussions on diversity, global perspectives and intercultural learning, as well as opportunities to dance, cook and have some fun!
If you weren’t able to join a session, you may still be able to catch it. Session recordings will be added to our website as we receive them.
Thank you to all community members for celebrating and exploring your #globalwesternu! We look forward to continuing the conversations and learning all year-round!
Did you know?
Western International student volunteers produced a video featuring Westerns students sharing their insights on the importance and value of diversity on campus, as part of International Week 2021. Watch the video to hear what they had to say.
If you have ideas, suggestions or opportunities with an international focus to share, please let us know at wicomms@uwo.ca.
