Through the McCall MacBain International Fellowships, you could spend a year immersing yourself in another culture while working and studying abroad. Up to 10 fellowships of $23,500 are available for McMaster students each year.
Volunteer and Work Abroad
Your global experience is what you make of it. Getting involved in a volunteer or work opportunity abroad is a great way to develop skills and gain unique experience while working toward your professional goals.
This page will help you:
- Be curious
- Find success outside of your comfort zone
- Make an impact
Getting involved abroad
Do you want to grow through a work or volunteer opportunity abroad? Are you unsure of how to get started? Browse our global opportunities — getting involved abroad is easier than you might think.
McCall MacBain International Fellowships include three terms to provide you with a well-rounded global experience:
- Language training
- Academic study
- Work experience
Reasons to apply
- Travelling is something you want to do.
- You’ve always wanted to learn a new language.
- Learning about people, places and cultures interests you.
- You like to challenge yourself.
- You want to improve your employability.
- Gaining a new perspective is exciting to you.
- Money might be a barrier that’s preventing you from having a global opportunity.
Information sessions
- Attend an information session to learn about the McCall MacBain International Fellowships and get support with your application.
- For McMaster’s information sessions, browse OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Events for dates and registration. Sessions are offered every fall term in October or November.
You can gain so much through an international co-op, internship or work term. Even if the opportunity doesn’t seem related to your career plan, there are always opportunities to develop transferable skills and explore new working environments. Here are some tools, resources and services to help you find an opportunity that works for you.
OSCARplus
Check OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Employment > Job Postings and filter by “Global Opportunities.” We update the site with new job postings and opportunities to gain experience daily.
MyWorldAbroad and GoinGlobal
Conduct research through external databases. As a McMaster student, you have access to valuable tools that can offer guidance as you plan your global opportunity: MyWorldAbroad and GoinGlobal.
- MyWorldAbroad offers country-specific opportunities and guidance.
- GoinGlobal is a database of job and internship resources, employment trends and industry profiles that span 24 countries.
Note: If you’re on campus, you’ll be automatically logged in. If you’re not on campus, you can access these tools through OSCARplus.
International Experience Canada (IEC) Program
If you want to work abroad, you need to apply for a work permit. Open to Canadians between 18 and 35 years old, the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program has agreements with more than 30 countries, making it much easier to apply for a work permit or visa in these countries.
Compared to applying independently, getting a work permit through IEC is:
- Easier and quicker
- More Flexible
- Less expensive
Get personalized support
Have questions or need one-on-one guidance to help you plan your international co-op, internship or work term? Book an appointment with our global opportunities team on OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Appointments > Global Opportunities.
Teaching English abroad is a great way to gain international work experience and develop your cross-cultural communication skills. Here are some resources to help you get started:
- The English Camp Company: Teach English at summer camps in Italy and Austria for children who are 6–14 years old.
- TeachAway: Explore listings for a variety of teaching abroad opportunities.
- Scotia Personnel Ltd.: Cultural Exchange Opportunities: Learn about teaching abroad opportunities through Scotia Ltd., including tutoring and participating in summer camps.
There are many reasons to take your volunteering abroad. You can work toward your professional goals while helping others and getting involved in a global community.
Want to explore opportunities to volunteer abroad?
Meet with us one-on-one to discuss your options by booking an appointment on OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Appointments > Global Opportunities.
Getting adjusted
Going abroad often means getting outside of your comfort zone, which can require some adjustments. We have resources to help you feel confident and ready to explore.
Getting adjusted to a new environment and culture abroad isn’t always easy. Similarly, it can be challenging to re-adapt after your return home. Making these adaptions can take time and lead to many different emotions and feelings.
Remember, overcoming these types of challenges can help you grow, gain new perspectives and increase your resilience. Here are some resources to help you adapt and overcome any challenges you may experience in your global opportunity:
- MyWorldAbroad: Learn about country-specific opportunities and guidance.
- GoinGlobal: Get advice on adapting to different cultures through this database of resources and opportunities.
- Global Graduates: Receive advice and answers, and learn about opportunities for young people with global skills.
- Culture Crossing Guide: Take advantage of this community-built resource to learn about cross-cultural etiquette.
- The World Factbook: Learn about cultures, traditions and norms around the world.
- Travel Advice and Advisories: Review important government information to support your global experience and transition.
Get personalized support
Have questions or need one-on-one guidance? Book an appointment with our global opportunities team on OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Appointments > Global Opportunities.
In your global opportunity, you may travel to some places where communicating with your parents or friends back home may not be as easy as you’re used to. For example, some places abroad may not have consistent internet access and reliable cell phone service.
Before you leave home, it’s important to plan ahead and identify alternative forms of communication. Consider landlines and internet cafes, and remember to bring any important phone numbers with you at all times — home phone, cell phone, email address, work phone and so on.
Emergency resources
- International SOS: Access supports and assistance that are catered to your needs as a student abroad.
- Government of Canada emergency phone line: Call 613-996-8885 (outside of Canada) or 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada) for emergency supports.
- Canadian embassies and consulates: Review a list of contacts for Canadian embassies and consulates that can support you when you’re abroad.
- Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA): We’re required to adhere to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Please let us know if you want our office to release information about you to your parents (particularly in an emergency situation).
Global Experiences (Gelila Alemayheu)
Recommended reading
McMaster Exchange Program update: November 2020
The McMaster Exchange Program is following McMaster’s Risk Management Policy regarding student travel. Under this policy, undergraduate exchange programs are prohibited within any country/region with a Government of Canada travel advisory of Level 3 (avoid non-essential travel) or above. Currently, the federal government is advising against all non-essential travel outside Canada, and all 2020–21 outbound exchange programs have been suspended.
Journey
Golden Week travels: a new era to explore with friends
Before exchange, I found it difficult to find people I could relate to and found it difficult to even talk to people because I felt that no one had the same interests as me. During Golden Week, I began to learn more about them and because many of us were in the same situation, trying to find our way through Japan, I started to learn more about them.
Read the Journey about Golden Week travels: a new era to explore with friends