Global Learning Opportunities

Are you passionate about both learning and travel? Looking to combine them into an enriching global experience? Do you thrive on discovering new and diverse perspectives? 

Whether you're passionate about experiencing new cultures, expanding your global perspective, or enhancing your career prospects, U of GH offers dynamic ways to combine learning and travel. Explore our Semester Elsewhere program to study abroad and earn academic credits in destinations like the Netherlands, Austria, and Ireland. From international experiences to collaborative learning, discover how you can build your future while exploring the world.

We believe in preparing students for a global future, which is why our international partnerships are such a key part of what we offer. Through these collaborations, students have the chance to engage with different cultures, participate in exchange programs, and work on global projects. This not only enhances their academic experience, but it also helps students build critical skills like communication, problem-solving, and cultural awareness. 

The following global learning opportunities are available to all current U of GH students:

U of GH Study Abroad

Join the University of Guelph-Humber’s Study Abroad program this spring and summer 2026 and step out of the classroom to explore diverse cultures! You can choose from various countries, allowing you to customize your experience to your interests. Earn academic credit while gaining hands-on experience and making meaningful connections. Don’t miss this chance for an unforgettable journey with us!

U of GH Study Abroad are 0.5 credit General Elective courses offered during the summer semester. All current U of GH students can apply for ONE study tour.

Histories of —and in — Greece

Since Sophia Loren charmed audiences in “Boy on a Dolphin” (1957), the Greek brand has been associated with several quintessential images promoted to entice tourists: olive groves, the Parthenon and white-washed buildings on sun-drenched islands. Beneath this pleasantly reductive picture lies a rich and contentious past inscribed in the country’s architecture, monuments, art, dance, music, poetry and cuisine. This course introduces students to Greece’s many histories, beginning with its touchstones: the Golden Age of Athens (480-404 BCE), the War of Independence (1821-1829 CE) and the anti-Axis resistance (1941-1944 CE).  

Through tours, lectures and experiential learning activities, it explores often-suppressed Byzantine, Ottoman, Jewish, Romá, communist, migrant and refugee pasts. Students will examine how debates about textbooks, commemoration practices, secularism, cultural preservation, academic research and national identity reflect ongoing contests over Greek history. The course will challenge students to consider (i) why societies remember the past, (ii) how they decide which/whose pasts are worth remembering; (iii) how shared socio-historical narratives shape group identity; and (iv) what motivations drive the promotion of specific pasts.  

Course Director: Vasilis (Bill) Molos, Chair, Liberal Studies 

Mental Health, Resilience, and Trauma in Post-Conflict Communities 

This six-week interdisciplinary course explores themes of resilience, mental health, and trauma in post-conflict societies, and the adaptation of professional services within communities recovering from communal violence. The course challenges students to examine global examples of post-conflict truth and reconciliation (including South Africa, Chile, Spain, and Argentina), and to reflect on Canadian contexts and the implementation of the Calls to Action advanced by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in 2015.  

The immersive component of the course focuses on the case study of Northern Ireland and the ongoing recovery from the thirty-year cycle of political and sectarian violence labelled as ‘The Troubles’. Students will travel to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for the travel component part of the course, where they will review the impacts of ‘The Troubles’ across both sides of the border, and consider the work of individuals, communities, not-for-profit, and governmental organizations in promoting post-conflict recovery and reconciliation. 

This immersive experience will involve interdisciplinary discussions about national and international concepts of reconciliation and restorative justice with academic partners at Ulster University’s Belfast and Derry/Londonderry campuses. Upon the return to Canada, students will complete a detailed reflective project, with a multi-media component, as an expression of knowledge dissemination from the course. The project will reflect on concepts of truth and reconciliation and inter-generational traumas both within the context of Northern Ireland as the primary case study for the course, but also in relation to the ongoing Calls to Action for justice for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples within Canada. 

Course Director: Gary Galbraith, Chair, Justice Studies

Community, Youth, Support, and Sport 

This field course invites students to the Dominican Republic for a service-learning experience focused on immersive community work that centers around youth empowerment and education.  Rooted in the principles of experiential learning and reciprocal community engagement, this course offers a unique opportunity to explore how theory meets practice in an international context. 

Students will work in collaboration with local non-profit organizations to support initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of community members in under-resourced communities. This is achieved through hands-on community-led development efforts, meaningful engagement with community members, paired with structured reflection and cultural immersion experiences. Students will also have the chance to explore the cultural and historical richness of the Dominican Republic through guided excursions and interactions with community members. 

Academically, this course is grounded in interdisciplinary approaches to community engagement and global learning. Students will examine social issues such as educational equity, youth agency, and sustainable development, while also exploring their own roles and responsibilities and the varied disciplinary lenses taken.  This course emphasizes the importance of teamwork, collective action, and cultural humility. Students will develop skills in cross-cultural community engagement, collaborative problem-solving, and community-based inquiry.   

Through preparatory readings, reflective journaling, group work, and a final synthesis paper, students will critically evaluate the ethics and impact of international service work, and apply key theories from community development and engagement to real world contexts.  

This international field course is ideal for students who have an interest in community engagement, social justice, collective empowerment, and change making! 

Instructor: Olivia Boukydis, Chair, Community Social Services 
 

Euro Business & Cultural Innovation Course

This course involves a ten-day study tour where students engage in an immersive cultural and historical exploration of London and Paris, two of Europe’s most influential cities. In London, students will experience the city through guided tours of landmarks such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Buckingham Palace, along with visits to the Tower of London and Covent Garden. Cultural enrichment includes a theatre workshop, a West End performance, an afternoon tea, and a cricket lesson, encouraging students to reflect on the ways tradition and performance contribute to cultural identity.

In Paris, students will engage with French culture through a guided city tour of the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Les Invalides, and the Eiffel Tower. Interactive activities include a perfume- and cologne-making class, a hands-on art workshop, and a pétanque lesson, complemented by exploration of the Marché des Enfants Rouges, one of Paris’s oldest markets. Shared cultural experiences, such as traditional French dinners and a Seine River cruise, provide opportunities for reflection on community and heritage.

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to connect these experiences with broader themes of culture, tradition, and globalization. By analyzing how history, art, and everyday practices shape modern European societies, students will develop critical perspectives on identity, heritage, and cross-cultural exchange.

Instructor: Karey Rowe, Chair Business

Peru: From Ancient Civilization to Tourism Frontier

In just the last 25 years, tourism has become Peru’s third-largest contributor to the national economy (after mining and fishing). A fascinating destination for archaeologists and adventurers in the mid-20th century, Peru drastically stepped up its tourism push in the 1990s; since then, the country has grown as a top destination – especially among young, environmentally conscious and culturally sensitive travellers.

Today, Peru is a national incubator for modern approaches to tourism and tourism marketing: ecotourism, community enrichment (or “volunteer”) tourism, adventure tourism, cultural and historically-focused tours and, most recently, gastrotourism (Peru was named the world’s top culinary destination in 2024 by the World Travel Awards). At the same time, it is a focal point for debates on sustainable tourism and the impact of large-scale tourism on such UNESCO treasures such as Machu Picchu.

In this course, students will have an exceptional opportunity to explore and analyze modern tourism and its impacts as they visit the ancient cities and temples of the Inca people, the modern gastrotourism hub of Lima and the spectacular natural  landscapes of the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest. Visits to the Incan strongholds and religious centres of Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, traditional tented markets in Peruvian villages, a lodge on the Amazon River and Miraflores, the upscale shopping and nightclub district of Lima, will encourage students to reflect on the impacts (positive and negative) of tourism on a society, and discover first-hand the emerging approaches to tourism marketing.

Instructor: Kathy Ullyott, Chair, Media Communication Studies 
 

Semester Elsewhere

Apply for an international exchange and earn academic credit while spending a semester abroad. The University of Guelph-Humber offers partnerships with schools around the globe, including in the Netherlands, Austria, and the United Kingdom, Spain, South Korea and Belgium. 

Below you will find all the necessary information relating to the University of Guelph-Humber’s International Exchange program.

Who is eligible to go on exchange?

Any University of Guelph-Humber student in good academic standing can participate in the Semester Elsewhere program.

What are the requirements?
  • Good academic standing
  • Minimum cumulative GPA defined by the host institution
Why is it beneficial to participate in the Semester Elsewhere program?
  • Experience a new culture while studying abroad
  • Gain a new global perspective
  • Opportunity to travel and see the world
  • Learn and grow personally and professionally
  • Build an international network
  • Develop your leadership skills
  • Learn new language skills
  • Discover possible international career opportunities
  • Form new and rewarding relationships
  • Great for resume
When can you go?

Student can participate in the international exchange program in the fall, winter, or summer semester.

Where can you go?
  • Avans University of Applied Sciences – Netherlands
  • University of Cumbria – United Kingdom
  • Hanze University of Applied Sciences - Groningen
  • Universidad de San Andres – Argentina
  • Haute Ecole Ephec  (Ephec University College) - Belgium
  • Soka University - Japan
  • Institute Quimic De Sarria Cets (IQS), Fundacio Privada - Spain
  • Management Center Innsbruck "MCI" – Austria
  • Pontifical Catholic University of Peru - Peru
  • Leuphana University - Germany
  • University Colleges Leuven-Limburg – Belgium
  • University of Ribeirao Preto - Brazil
  • Solbridge International School of Business - Daejeon, Republic of Korea
  • University of Ulster – Northern Ireland
  • University Center of Anj/Polis (aka UniEVANGELICA) - Brazil

Guelph-Humber students can apply to study elsewhere for a semester at any accredited university with Program Chair approval via a signed Letter of Permission. Semester Elsewhere is not limited to partner institutions, though students intending on studying at a non-partner institution will pay the host school's tuition and potentially higher international fees. Students must also conduct more research, as the chosen institution may be unfamiliar to Guelph-Humber administration.

What should you consider when choosing an exchange program/institution?
  • Courses available at host institution and their equivalency to a specific course within your current program
  • Host institutions academic dates and requirements
  • Availability of courses in the semester you intend to study abroad
  • Cost of living
How do I apply?

Step 1: Explore Your Global Opportunities

Exchanges are open to all GH students, but the Academic Institution available to you and the courses you can take abroad will depend on your program of study. Please see the list of institutions listed above to explore your options. 

Deadline to apply for Exchange programs varies. Please check the application deadline date for your host institution. We recommend you submit your applications by mid- to end April for Fall and mid- to late September for Winter. 

Step 2: Complete the Application and Letter of Intent

You can find the online application form here. This link includes detailed instructions on the application process, guidelines to writing a Letter of Intent, Terms and Conditions and the Application Form. You will also need to make an appointment with your Academic Advisor to get a Letter of Permission. Click here for more information on Letter of Permission.

Step 3: Complete the Interview

The Guelph-Humber Global team will review your application and letter of intent and invite you to attend an interview. The purpose of the interview is for our team to get to know you and to understand your reasons for studying abroad. Please review your Study Plan and Letter of Intent prior to coming to the interview.

What Happens Next?

All successful candidates nominated for a Semester Abroad will receive a notification of recommendation within 2 – 4 weeks after the application deadline. This notification will list the host institution you have been recommended to and information regarding next steps which will include (but are not limited to):

  • Cost & expenses: Costs will vary by country and the host institution. Please conduct some research to estimate the costs associated with your trip. Here are some of the major costs and expenses you should consider when deciding on an exchange program.
  • Tuition: Students participating in an exchange program generally pay tuition fees to the University of Guelph-Humber. In some cases, students currently pay tuition fees directly to the host institution. Please check the tuition fees requirements and deadline with your host institution. Students are responsible for other expenses such as books.
  • Accommodations: Students may have access to residence at their host institution. In general, the International office at all host institutions assist students in finding accommodations.
  • Travel: Your provincial health plan will probably not cover you the entirety of your medical expenses while travelling. Check if the host institution offers health coverage to visiting students. If not, we strongly suggest you to purchase a good, comprehensive, private health insurance before you go.
  • Other Fees: Students are responsible for any other fees such as visas, passport, and vaccinations not covered by your provincial health plan.
Humber's Global Summer School (GSS)

The University of Guelph-Humber offers students the chance to participate in Humber’s Global Summer School for three weeks in July and August. This intensive program brings together over 700 students from 40+ countries for daily courses on intercultural communication, among other subjects. Students will gain valuable skills for working internationally, make lifelong connections, and experience Canadian culture through both classes and optional activities.

The intensive, three-week Global Summer School courses meet daily (Monday-Friday) and classes are typically held in the morning.

2025 Global Summer school courses available to UofGH students are as follows:

  • BHSW 1001 - Health and Wellness Concepts
  • BUS 3505 - Intercultural Communications
  • MEDC 1006 - Social Media
  • SOCI 1500 - Human Rights, Diversity, and Social Inclusion
  • JOUR 3012 - Becoming a Podcaster: Introduction to Podcasting
  • SOCI 3200 - Thinking in Systems: How to Understand and Tackle Complex Problems

For course details, click here

Why Join Humber's Global Summer School?

  • Work on real-world projects for elective credit
  • Expand your professional and personal global network
  • Learn from Humber faculty and industry experts
  • Enhance your intercultural communication skills
  • Flexible learning option - earn academic credit in an intensive 3-week course (Monday to  Friday from 8:30am - 11:30am)

Limited space available for each course, and admission is not guaranteed. To apply, connect with your Academic Advisor for help with the application process. The deadline to apply is May 6, 2025.

 

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) 

The University of Guelph-Humber offers Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) programs that connect our students with peers from around the globe. Through these online collaborations, students engage in meaningful projects and discussions, allowing them to gain diverse perspectives and cultural insights without the need for travel. This innovative approach enriches their learning experience, enhances their global competence, and helps them develop essential skills like communication and teamwork in a multicultural context. By participating in COIL programs, students not only broaden their horizons but also build valuable connections that can benefit their future careers in our increasingly interconnected world.