Students in a full-time diploma or degree program can study abroad for 3 to 4 weeks at one of our partner institutions and be eligible to earn an academic credit.

Past Student Experiences

Robert Gordan University, Scotland 2018

Alexandria Cozzolini, - Behavioural Science (Bachelor of)

My name is Alexandria Cozzolino and I am a third-year student in the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program. I had an amazing opportunity to complete a course abroad in the summer of 2018. I decided to go to Robert Gordon University in Scotland. This opportunity is something that truly means a lot to me. Going abroad allowed me to get out of my comfort zone. I had the chance to experience a new culture and the experience of traveling alone for the first time. It was also such an amazing opportunity to talk and learn from people that were from different areas of Canada and Germany. Looking back, going abroad was one of the best choices I have ever made. This experience allowed me to grow as a person and allowed me to take part in a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The reason as to why I decided to create a scrapbook is because it is something that I have always enjoyed making. It was a way that I knew how to express my experience abroad. I also decided to make a scrapbook because I wanted something that I would physically be able to keep and remember looking back at my time during the summer program.

Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand 2018

Emma Patten - Social Service Worker (Diploma)

My name is Emma Patten and I am now in my second year of the Social Service Worker program. I attended the summer study abroad program in New Zealand at Otago University. I was nominated by the Aboriginal Resources Centre at Humber College to attend this trip. I didn’t know much about the country or the opportunity of going to the country. Although New Zealand was kind of chosen for me, I quickly learned it is such a beautiful country. The thing that interested me the most about going to New Zealand was learning about the aboriginal people that are originally from there. Being native myself makes me more interested about learning more of the Moari people of New Zealand and what their history and stories are, as well as how they are similar and different from ours.

The courses I studied on Sustainability through Nature, introduced me to how I could become more sustainable back home and within my community. Biculturalism, introduced me to learning and comparing how it is for the Maori people and the Indigenous people here are the same in some ways and different in some ways with hands-on experience. This will give me an understanding while working with client’s on how other cultures have their own ways and views on things. This trip will give me the advantage of working hands-on with people and different cultures within studying in a different country and different learning atmosphere.

Going on this trip was definitely out of my comfort zone. I didn’t know anyone that was going, I didn’t know any of the people I was traveling with, who my professors were or who I was going to be living with for the next month. I got to know my professors well and started to have a good connection between the both. I also gained a lot of new friendships with students that were from different countries. By the end, I was extremely sad to say goodbye.

The impact that this trip has had on me is huge. I can say I am the first person in my family to study in a different country, on the other side of the world to be exact. I have met some amazing intelligent people while I was in New Zealand. I have created and kept friendships that I couldn’t have even imaged having before. And I am getting to travel with people from my school community. It took a lot of time and effort put in to this trip from the staff that work here at Humber and at the University that I studied at and I am so grateful to have been able to meet and make connections with the people I did.

Alanah Vellone - Behavioural Science (Bachelor of) 

My name is Ally. I am 20 years old and have recently started here at Humber College after switching majors from Ryerson University. Currently, I’m in my second year working toward my degree in Behavioural Science, hopefully to end up with my BCBA; an Ontario Board Certification in Behaviour Analysis. On my spare time I enjoy going to the gym, listening to music, I have an interest in fashion, and I have a strong bond with my family. Coming from a background in philosophy, I constantly look to gain a better understanding of life and how the world works. Over the summer I took the opportunity to live in New Zealand for a short while. That experience among many during my time at Humber has answered some of the curiosities I have had about life, people, the world, and also has excited me for my future with the college and as a young woman in general. 

This trip showed me that I really could do anything I dream of. Never in my life did I think I would travel on my own let alone for a prolonged amount of time before coming to Humber. Travelling to the other side of the world really showed me the power I have to break free of my own societal norms to see more of what this planet has to offer. I also learned that I underestimate myself a lot more than I should. As an only child I grew to avoid spotlight and enjoy my own company. But, in New Zealand I felt as if my leadership, friendship and independence skills were thriving since I realized I was my only advocate while in a foreign country. My fellow Humber friends were awesome but we all had just met each other before the trip, so I was happy/surprised that I was able to befriend people so quickly. I also sang for the first time EVER in front of people which was a big deal for me since most people don’t know I can sing. Belting out Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman” in front of a bunch of strangers at a huge karaoke party really showed me how much more I needed to get out of my little comfortable shell. The many opportunities we had in class and on our own time to step out of our comfort zone like that, I believe, was the most empowering and therapeutic thing any person could experience. Even though I learnt about New Zealand and all that this place had to offer I’m glad that I was also able to learn about myself as a person that I am developing into. 

My advice to students who are thinking of studying abroad is to take the leap. I originally wanted to study abroad for a full semester, but I opted for the one-month exchange instead to give myself a taste of this experience. As a first-time traveler I was very nervous, but towards the end of my trip I wish I had stayed longer. The idea of going across the world, into a different culture, with totally different and new people/surroundings is very overwhelming but you soon realize that despite obvious cultural and historical differences we as humans are all the same! I’m grateful for all of the paths I have crossed, and you will be too!