Overview

There are many ways Alberta students can get a post-secondary education or internship experience in another country.

Some programs are offered through partnerships between the Government of Alberta and organizations in other countries. These programs offer professional work and study experiences in exciting places around the world.

Students can also choose to take programs available through their post-secondary institution or plan their own study abroad experiences.

Find out how to choose the study abroad experience that’s right for you.

Alberta-Smithsonian Internship Program

This program is not accepting applications at this time.

About the program

The Alberta-Smithsonian Internship Program (ASIP) provides 10 eligible Alberta students per year with up to $7,000 (CAD) to support their participation in a semester or summer internship at a Smithsonian museum.

Students get the exceptional opportunity to work with Smithsonian:

  • scholars
  • scientists
  • experts
  • educators

Areas of focus include:

  • science
  • history
  • culture
  • the arts

Students could intern in Washington, D.C. or at other Smithsonian sites around the world.

The program is a partnership between the:

  • Government of Alberta
  • University of Alberta
  • Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Eligibility

The program is open to students that are registered in degree-granting programs at Alberta post-secondary institutions and meet other requirements.

“This internship allowed me to confirm that I want to pursue a career in conservation science. I learned so much and all of my Smithsonian colleagues were so bright and passionate about their work. It was a very inspiring experience. The opportunity to return as a fellow is also amazing and will help me along my career as a conservation scientist.”

Aleksandra Popowich interned at the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute in 2017.

Chinese Government Scholarships

Deadline for applications is January 31, 2020.

About the program

Every year, the Government of China provides scholarships for Alberta students and scholars to study in China:

  • 5 full scholarships
  • 10 partial scholarships

The program is open to Alberta residents that are:

  • high school graduates
  • post-secondary students
  • scholars

Study programs

Study programs focus on:

  • Chinese language studies
  • academic study at the undergraduate or graduate level
  • research

The language of instruction is primarily Chinese, but a limited number of programs are offered in English.

The program may also sponsor and recommend remedial Chinese language studies for applicants who are not applying for the Chinese language study program.

Find Chinese institutions accepting students.

Scholarship types

Full scholarships cover:

  • tuition (or research) fees
  • accommodation
  • stipend
  • comprehensive medical insurance

Partial scholarships cover only tuition fees.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • be a Canadian citizen
  • hold a Canadian Passport
  • be in good health
  • be an Alberta resident

Educational background and age limits include:

Table 2. Chinese Government Scholarship program eligibility

Category Age limit Educational background
Undergraduate studies Under the age of 25 Completed senior high school with good grades
Master degree Under the age of 35 Must have a bachelor’s degree
Doctoral degree Under the age of 40 Must have a master’s degree
General scholar Under the age of 45 Must have completed 2 years of undergraduate studies (can pursue any major, except Chinese language)
Senior scholar Under the age of 50 Must have a minimum of either a:
  • graduate degree
  • academic title of associate professor or higher

Read the Chinese Government Scholarships Program Overview for specific eligibility information.

How to apply

Read the Chinese Government Scholarships Program Overview for details about how to apply.

The online application asks for a:

  • agency number (it’s 1242 for Alberta students)
  • guarantor (optional)
  • letter of intent (PDF, 12 KB) (required)

If your application is accepted, you will be asked to complete a medical assessment form (PDF, 135 KB) for your Chinese visa application.

Summer School in Czech Republic

Deadline for applications is February 26, 2020.

About the program

The Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport offers full scholarships to 2 Alberta post-secondary students to take Slavonic Studies in the Czech Republic during the summer.

Students study Czech:

  • language
  • literature
  • culture
  • history

Students also visit important landmarks and attend cultural events.

Scholarships cover:

  • tuition
  • room and board
  • various field trips

Scholarship programs

One scholarship is available for each of the following programs:

  1. Masaryk University in Brno
    Dates: July 18 to August 15, 2020
    Read program details (PDF, 425 KB).
  2. Charles University in Prague
    Dates: July 24 to August 21, 2020
    Read program details (PDF, 1.0 MB).

Eligibility

Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and be residents of Alberta.

Recipients are selected based on academic merit, relevance of previous study and letter of intent.

How to apply

Submitted applications must include:

  • completed application form (WORD, 50 KB)
  • curriculum vitae in Czech or English
  • letter of intent
  • post-secondary transcript(s)
  • copy of passport/ID along with passport-sized photo

Email completed applications to erin.reynar@gov.ab.ca.

The Washington Center

About the program

The Washington Center – Alberta Internship Partnership helps students get valuable work experience and take courses at The Washington Center in Washington, D.C.

Internships are structured according to student interests. Examples include:

  • political leadership
  • mass communications
  • law and criminal justice

Read about sample internships.

The internship program is administered by The Washington Center and partially funded by the Government of Alberta.

Eligibility

The program is open to qualified students who are registered at a participating post-secondary institution in Alberta.

Visit the Washington Center website for details about programs and eligibility requirements.

How to apply

Contact the International Office or Registrar's Office at your college or university or visit the Washington Center website for details on how to apply.

“The Washington Center provided me with the invaluable opportunity to experience work-life balance in a wonderful city. It is a remarkable place to gain deeper insight into my field of studies, meet and interact with influential people and diverse cultures, and most importantly strengthen my personal, academic and professional development. Through my internship, site visits and classes, I was able to capture knowledge that will influence my future endeavors.”

Beverly Alfred, an International Affairs student at Burman University, interned at the Embassy of Canada.

Through your institution

Many publicly funded post-secondary institutions in Alberta offer study abroad opportunities for their students, including:

Talk to your post-secondary institution about:

  • the types of study abroad opportunities they offer
  • program requirements
  • costs
  • any funding support that could be available

Federal study abroad programs

The federal government offers several internship and scholarship programs to Canadian students:

Study abroad on your own

Research study abroad opportunities

You could contact post-secondary institutions you may want to attend to ask them about opportunities for international students.

You may also choose to connect with organizations for international students, such as:

What to consider

When researching a program offered in another country, find out as much as you can about the:

  • post-secondary institution you may be attending or organization you could be working with
  • country you’ll be living in
  • embassy or other supports available to you while you’re away
  • availability of student loans or scholarships for the program you want to take

Contact

Connect with the International Education and Intergovernmental Coordination Branch:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-644-1785
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-427-4185
Email: international.ed@gov.ab.ca