International Study & Experience

International study is not a requirement of the SASAH program, but students are encouraged to undertake some sort of international study during their time at Western.

Students can start investigating international opportunities by going to the Western International site. Information on scholarships and funding for international learning experiences can be found here.

Note! Students should plan international experiences as early as possible in their undergraduate studies and contact Western International at least a year in advance of a desired departure date to discuss options.

Deadlines to apply for international learning opportunities can be set up to a year ahead of the departure date and vary by organization. Do your research well ahead of time!

To see what other SASAH students have experienced abroad, click here. 

Exchange Program and Study Abroad

SASAH students who opt to go on an exchange or study abroad typically do so during their third year at Western, and the third-year SASAH courses have been structured to allow students this opportunity.

Students can undertake exchanges or study abroad at Western’s partner universities in destinations around the globe. To find out about exchanges, go to Western International’s International Learning page, and for a list of partner universities, go to Atlas.

For more information on Western's international study opportunities, please visit the Western International site.

International Experiential Learning

SASAH works with programs at Western to offer remote and in-person international EL opportunities, including:
• Vindolanda Field School
• Western Heads East

Western International also offers International Internship opportunities. For a list of internship programs, go to Atlas and search with the keyword “internship.”

Note! There are application fees associated with these opportunities. However, students undertaking in-person international opportunities can apply for scholarships and awards, which help to offset fees and expenses.

A student who undertakes a remote internship with Western Heads East will receive an honorarium. Unpaid internship and CEL opportunities are also eligible for awards from SASAH’s Assaly Experiential Learning Fund.

Global and Intercultural Engagement Honour

Students who engage in global and intercultural activities during their time at Western may be eligible for the Global and Intercultural Engagement Honour (GIEH).

The GIEH is a distinction that recognizes students' global and intercultural experiences in both academic and extra-curricular activities on campus and abroad. Once completed, the Honour will appear on a student’s Official Academic Record and complement their Western degree.

Why achieve it?

Because you can . . .
• enhance your degree with recognition on your transcript for global and/or intercultural experience.
• develop intercultural communication skills, knowledge, and global awareness that employers seek.
• connect with other global-minded peers and grow your professional network.
• broaden your perspective on the world and increase your cultural awareness and knowledge.

How to achieve it?

You must achieve 100 points of experience to be awarded the Honour. You can earn points in four different ways:
1. Taking courses with an international or intercultural focus from an approved list on the Honour website (required).
2. Completing a global experience at home or abroad (required).
3. Studying an additional language or for pre-existing second language proficiency.
4. Completing global or intercultural engagement and training during your time at Western.

For more information, please visit www.international.uwo.ca/globalhonour. Students with specific questions can email goabroad@uwo.ca.

SASAH Travel Award

SASAH students who plan to go on exchange or attend a conference or who otherwise require funding for a trip directly related to their university education may apply for a SASAH Travel Award.

The awards are based on academic achievement and designed to assist with travel costs for study/research at sites/institutions anywhere in the world. Twelve awards valued at $500 each are awarded in one or two rounds throughout the academic year (Sept 1 to August 31) and selected by the Director of SASAH.

To be considered for a SASAH Travel Award, students must submit to the Director of SASAH and the Program Coordinator a one- to two-page summary that outlines the need for the award (what it will be used for) and the benefit to be gained from the travel experience and includes a detailed budget.

Note! This award is not retroactive: you cannot apply for travel that has already occurred.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Jennifer Tramble, SASAH’s Program Coordinator, with any questions you may have.