Through the Study Abroad program, SAIT provides opportunities for students to travel all over the world — and some are free for eligible students.
“The federal government came up with this funding initiative to basically promote international education for those who it’s not always accessible for,” says Laurel Sherriff, a student engagement coordinator at SAIT.
“Some of the trips that we run, we can afford with this funding to fund students who fall into one of a few categories — which include students with disabilities, students who are low income, and Indigenous students. We can offer them these experiences without the big price tag, making sure that they are also reaping the many benefits of international education.”
Currently, SAIT is offering a fully-funded trip to Costa Rica over the February reading break, during which students have the opportunity to learn about Costa Rica’s indigenous peoples by taking part in an immersive experience. Over the last four years, SAIT has also received government funding for trips to Portugal, Peru, Switzerland, and Denmark.
“A few of the things that we hope that students learn have to do with appreciating and looking to incorporate diverse perspectives into their work, understanding the value of intercultural education and basically being very open minded to new experiences and new people,” Sherriff says.
“SAIT students have some really great practical and applied skills that they come out of their programs with, and we hope study abroad can add some intercultural components to that education, making them really well-rounded individuals.”
James Plunkett, a third-year financial services student, found a lot of value in last year’s Costa Rica trip, despite it not directly relating to his program.
“It gives me a little bit more of the life experience that I want,” Plunkett says.
His biggest learning?
“How to interact with different cultures and not necessarily go in assuming certain things of different cultures,” he says. “Especially when they’re so different than the one that I grew up in.”
Students on the Costa Rica trip experienced aspects of Indigenous cultures by staying in traditionally built huts in the rainforest. Activities like traditional crafts, harvesting cocoa, and hiking tours gave students opportunities to learn about the local Bribri and Maleku peoples.
One of the highlights of the trip for Plunkett was seeing how Costa Rica’s Indigenous people make their huts.
“I’m a very hands-on learner, so the way they make their huts, and how expensive it is now versus when they used to use their own materials … was probably the most interesting thing.”
SAIT offers a wide variety of Study Abroad experiences, some directly relating to specific areas of study, and some with a broader scope.
“They always have something really good to offer, whether it’s an academic focus or more of a cultural study,” Sherriff says.
