Provincial scholarships help students see and study the world

Wouldn't a month in Italy feel good right about now? How about an extended stay in Japan or a full semester in England or Brazil?

For Fanshawe students, the educational experience of a lifetime could be just an application away, courtesy of the Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship (OIEOS). In fact, over 4,000 Ontario students - including more than 75 from Fanshawe - have used the OIEOS to take their studies abroad since 2007.

"We live in a global community and we work in an increasingly global economy," says Wendy Curtis, Fanshawe's Manager of International Services. "International study opportunities give students the chance to expand their cultural horizons. By studying abroad, students can get a better understanding not only of another country, but of Canada and of themselves. We encourage Fanshawe students to explore international learning as part of a complete personal and academic education."

OIEOS scholarships are available in grants of $1,250 for a four-to-eight week experience, or up to $2,500 for two or more months abroad. Fanshawe is rated an 'A' partner in the program because it has consistently used all of its allotted scholarship money to help students gain study or work experience overseas.

One such student, Fanshawe Business student Darryl Griffioen, received funding through the OIEOS and is spending the fall 2009 semester at the Hogeschool Zeeland in Vlissingen, the Netherlands.

For Griffioen, the OEIOS was the ticket to a family pilgrimage.

"I chose to study in the Netherlands for a variety of reasons," he says. "The main one was because of my heritage. My Oma and Opa emigrated from the Netherlands and I wanted to see a bit of where my family came from. I also wanted to learn the language. The school's program and courses were very interesting to me as well."

Griffioen says studying abroad benefits everyone, from students to the businesses that will eventually hire them.

"I believe this experience is especially important because it enables us, as students, to learn more about other cultures and traditions," he explains. "For business, it opens doors to putting into practice the different theories we have learned here that apply to business internationally. It is also a great way to meet new people and make life-long friends. I would challenge every student to experience a semester abroad."

Students who are interested in applying for OIEOS funding, or who want to explore other exchange opportunities, should contact the International Services office.