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Ryerson’s Global Learning Week moves beyond borders

Take your learning to new heights (and distances) this year – find out more at Ryerson’s Global Learning Week
By: Michelle Grady
October 15, 2019
Felix Pun rock climbing in Hong Kong during his exchange to Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University

Felix Pun (TRSM), on exchange to Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong. Photo credit: Felix Pun.

Higher education goes global in just over a week as Ryerson gets set to kick off Global Learning Week on October 28. This year’s line-up will highlight the many global learning opportunities available to Ryerson students, as well as put students at ease by answering any burning questions. Semester or year-long exchange, summer research or work abroad, short-term faculty-led international courses, or even global learning events and programs on campus – there is a way for everyone to experience global learning, whatever your needs and budget.

“Global Learning is for everyone who is interested in engaging internationally (whether here on campus or through travel),” says Emma Wright, manager of global learning and engagement. “It comes in many different forms and its meaning shifts depending on your perspective. We wanted to be sure to provide a variety of different types of events that would connect with students in unique ways and we wanted to ensure that there were many opportunities for students to hear directly from other students.”

Wright says that global learning is a leading priority for Ryerson and the team wanted to provide students with many avenues to explore what this could mean for them. “We want a wide diversity of students to be able to imagine themselves participating. Presenting a broader vision of what global learning is, ands providing the supports needed for students to participate, are both key to our ongoing commitment to expand its scope and improve access overall.”

The week launches with the Global Learning Fair on October 28th (10 a.m. – 3 p.m., SLC Amphitheatre), where students can hear first-hand accounts from past student participants about the many ways to engage in global learning at Ryerson.

October 29th’s itinerary includes the Mental Health While Abroad session (11 a.m. – noon, VIC 303) that acknowledges the extra emotional and mental strain being abroad can add to a student’s plate and covers all things mental health to lighten the load.

TRSM students who are interested in exchange can come to the TRSM Exchange Panel and Fair (1 – 3 p.m., CPA Lounge, TRS1-003) to hear from former and current TRSM exchange students about their experiences.

The evening events include a screening of the film Dreams (5 - 7 p.m., SLC 508), which was created by a Ryerson alumna and engages viewers in conversations about stereotypes of Latino youth, U.S. undocumented immigration laws affecting Canadians and empathy.

Through The Looking Glass Storytelling (7 – 9 p.m., DMZ Sandbox), the first-ever night of student storytelling for Global Learning Week hosted by Ryerson International and Replay Storytelling, is a night of stories from our student community about the adventures and misadventures that arise when living abroad.

Financial Planning and Funding For Going Abroad (noon – 1:30 p.m., VIC 203) kicks off the programming for October 30th, which aims to help students get a jumpstart on the planning process and learn about funding, budgeting and saving for a global learning experience.

The evening’s Sharing Circle: Identity & Travel (5:30 – 7 p.m., TBC) encourages participants to reflect on how their experiences were shaped by their social location and share stories about international learning from diverse perspectives.

Returning from an experience abroad is a multi-faceted process. Join others to share and process your experience, while engaging in guided reflection on the ways you have grown or shifted after coming home at Beyond Travel: I’m back, now what? (11 a.m. – 1 p.m., KHE 125).

Ryerson will also launch its Internationalization Strategy on October 31 at the DMZ Sandbox from 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. This faculty and staff event will celebrate the new strategy with remarks from Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice chancellor; Michael Benarroch, provost and vice-president, academic; and Anver Saloojee, assistant vice-president, international. Refreshments will be served.

The week will include a number of exchange info sessions, where students can ask questions about exchange offerings, financial planning or logistics, including the following:

  • Faculty of Science Exchange Drop-In Info Session (October 29, 10 a.m. – noon, VIC 735)
  • TRSM Exchange Info Session (October 30, 2 – 3 p.m., TRS2-149; and October 31, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., TRS1-147)
  • FCAD International Info Session (October 31, 10 – 11 a.m., RCC 223)
  • Engineering Abroad Info Session (November 1, noon – 1:30 p.m., POD 366)
  • Faculty of Community Services Exchange Drop-in Session (November 1, 10 a.m. – noon, EPH 204).

The week’s events close on November 3 with the Ryerson Exchange Pre-Departure Session (9 a.m. – 4 p.m., TBC), a mandatory, invite-only session for all winter 2020 Ryerson exchange students that will cover all the need-to-know details pre-departure.

The third Ryerson Global Learning Week runs October 28 to November 3 on campus. For a complete list of events and times, visit the Global Learning Week website. “Whatever the question and no matter what program or faculty students are in, they can always reach out to us at Ryerson International at rihelp@torontomu.ca,” says Wright. “If necessary, we will be sure to redirect them to the appropriate contact within their programs and faculties.”

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