This space is designed to provide comprehensive information on various training and workshop opportunities aimed at enhancing your skills in intercultural development and international student support. Here, you will find valuable resources to help you engage more effectively with our diverse student body, foster inclusive learning environments, and participate in or develop global initiatives. Whether you are looking to expand your expertise in cross-cultural communication, support international students in their academic and personal growth, or contribute to global educational projects, this section has everything you need to succeed and make a meaningful impact. Explore the offerings and take advantage of the opportunities available to advance your professional development and enrich our international community.
Supporting International Students
The International Education Centre is dedicated to providing a comprehensive space for staff and faculty to access the information and support they need to support our international students effectively. We aim to equip you with the tools, resources, and knowledge necessary to foster an inclusive and enriching environment for all members of our diverse academic community.
Global Initiatives
Global Learning Initiatives are academic and co-curricular opportunities that allow UTM students to engage with international communities. Global Learning Initiatives are intentionally open to allow for variations and approaches that are discipline, regional, and challenge-specific. By embedding a global learning initiative within your course you can expand student learning beyond the classroom, build relationships with international institutions and organizations, and internationalize the learning experience. Global Learning Initiatives offer many benefits to students such as:
- Providing opportunities for intercultural development
- Enhancing communication skills
- Allowing students to develop professionally and personally
- Improving problem-solving skills
- Empowering students
UTM Abroad
UTM Abroad Academic Experiences are developed by academic departments, taught by UTM faculty, and linked to the International Education Centre who facilitates the UTM Abroad program. Courses are offered during the semester, or year, with an embedded global experience during the break periods (e.g. Fall/Winter Reading Week), or embedded in a summer course. Pedagogically, UTM Abroad Academic Experiences capitalize on their international location, connecting the global experience to the course material. Options for this include;
- A semester or full-year course with a mandatory embedded international experience during a study break or an embedded experience during the summer.
- A semester or full-year course with an optional embedded international experience during a study break or an embedded experience during the summer. Those students who do not partake in the international experience would complete an assignment locally.
- UTM Abroad Co-Curricular Experiences can also be developed with faculty and run as an incubator for future academic opportunities.
You can find more information about UTM Abroad here.
Academic Experiences Overview
UTM Abroad Academic Experiences are developed by academic departments, taught by UTM faculty, and linked to the International Education Centre who facilitates the UTM Abroad program. Courses are offered during the semester, or year, with an embedded global experience during the break periods (e.g. Fall/Winter Reading Week), or embedded in a summer course. Pedagogically, UTM Abroad Academic Experiences capitalize on their international location, connecting the global experience to the course material. The International Education Centre’s budget assumes responsibility for additional costs associated with a faculty member’s participation in a UTM Abroad Academic Experience, whereas the ancillary costs associated with a student’s participation are sought annually through the ancillary budget process.
Course Formats
UTM Abroad courses could be offered in any of the following formats:
- A semester or full year course with a mandatory embedded international experience during a study break or an embedded experience during the summer. These courses would generally be smaller, seminar style field courses at a 300 or 400 level for approximately 10-15 students with the international experience as a requirement;
- A semester or full year course with an optional embedded international experience during a study break or an embedded experience during the summer. These courses would generally be larger, lecture style courses with an alternative assignment that would provide 10-15 students with the option to participate in the international opportunity on an application basis. Those students who do not partake in the international experience would complete an assignment locally. International experiences may be offered each year, or on a defined cycle (e.g. alternating years).
Course Descriptions
Courses that will offer UTM Abroad international experiences will include in their course descriptions, the following statement:
As part of this course, students may have the option of participating in an international learning experience that will have an additional cost and application process.
Benefits of Partnering with UTM Abroad
By partnering with the International Education Centre to offer courses under the UTM Abroad, faculty would gain access to a one stop solution that can facilitate the course planning and the implementation of international component by offering the following:
- Assistance with the course governance approval process associated with the international component of the course;
- Addition of the INT course designations for approved courses;
- Assistance with itinerary, logistics and budget planning;
- Assistance with the compulsory academic ancillary fee governance process;
- Marketing under UTM Abroad (e.g. website, tabling, recruitment fairs, etc.) and provision of marketing materials;
- Participant registration, fee collection, overall communication and student support;
- Coordination of safety planning, audits, training and on-site support at no cost to the department;
- Coordination of accessibility planning, audits, accommodations and on-site support;
- Financial support for one faculty member participants travel costs;
- Student needs-based bursary program;
- On-site administrative staff support (upon request);
- On-call support from the IEC while the group is abroad.
Sample Course Timeline
Month | Event | Description |
---|---|---|
March to April | Expression of interest | Interested faculty may reach out to UTM Abroad to express interest in developing an academic experience with an embedded international component to discuss their options. |
March to April | Faculty proposal | Interested faculty must submit a proposal for the international component of the course to UTM Abroad - the proposal will be posted on this site once applications open. |
May | UTM Abroad approval | The proposal will be reviewed and selected by UTM Abroad. |
September to October | Course governance approval process | Course descriptions are submitted to the Office of the Dean for curriculum approval. |
October to November | Itinerary and budget development | UTM Abroad will work with the faculty to develop the itinerary and budget for the international component of the course. |
December to March | Academic ancillary fee governance process | UTM Abroad will submit the corresponding budget for ancillary approval. |
Faculty Expectations
For the successful implementation of the international component of UTM Abroad Courses, faculty will work closely with the International Education Centre including participation in the following:
- Planning meetings to develop or update the course description, create the itinerary, build the budget, and review promotional materials;
- Approximately 3 to 5 meetings plus ongoing email communication as needed.
- Applicant selection through the review of applications, participant selection, and individual or group interviews (where applicable);
- Staff approval based on UTM Abroad's pre-selection of support staff (where applicable);
- Approximately 1 or 2 meetings with selected staff in preparation for travel.
- Orientation meeting(s) for students prior to departure;
- 1 or 2 sessions depending on course requirements.
- Participation in the international component at the same standard as the students (flights, accommodation, activities, etc.);
- Feedback meeting with UTM Abroad upon completion of the international component;
- Participation in the site audit prior to the trip (optional, associated costs must be covered independently).
Academic Experience Proposals
Interested faculty must complete a Faculty-Led Proposal detailing their objectives and requirements for the global learning initiative component of the course through the UTM Abroad Staff and Faculty Portal.
We are currently accepting proposals for the 2023-2024 Academic Year. Proposals are due by April 2, 2023.
For additional information, please contact us at utmabroad@utoronto.ca.
Testimonials
Students in BIO210 (Foundations of human anatomy and physiology) are able to connect to common global health issues and compare them to the issues in our local health care by making direct first-hand observations in an international setting. It is through this unique international opportunity embedded in the course curriculum that students are able to widen their perspectives and identify the “real-world” importance of different course concepts as well as understand these concepts on a deeper and more critical level.
– Sanja Hinic-Frlog, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Biology
Teaching as part of UTM Abroad has been the most meaningful experience of my UTM faculty career. The experience of supporting students in the pursuit of in-depth, concentrated learning abroad has re-invigorated my love of teaching. The students unanimously call the course “life-changing”. And out of this shared experience have emerged deep intellectual and personal ties between me and a whole cohort of UTM students, ones that will likely last a lifetime. This is how learning at a university ought to happen.
– Professor Erik Schneiderhan, Faculty, Sociology
Overview
Under the UTM Abroad program, UTM staff with previous travel, administrative, and crisis management experience have the opportunity to travel as the safety support person for the UTM Abroad Academic Experiences and UTM Co-Curricular Experiences. If selected, the staff would travel with a group of students and a faculty member to help support and implement trip logistics, manage crises, mediate conflict, monitor safety and accessibility, support student development, and ensure that both the faculty and students have a memorable experience.
Most UTM Abroad Experiences are developed independently by our office; therefore, the staff member will provide leadership on all logistics and safety responsibilities on the ground. Some programs are delivered in partnership with third-party organizations and may have program leaders who will facilitate the program in the country.
The cost of participation in the international experience and required training will be covered through the UTM Abroad program. This does not include personal travel insurance or overtime, which must be approved by the staff member's supervisor. While you will be working during the experience, you will not receive additional compensation beyond the costs of travel associated with the program. Staff will need approval from their department to participate.
"Participating in the UTM Abroad experience is without a doubt my favourite opportunity I've experienced so far at UTM. Professionally, it gave me the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of students I wouldn't have normally engaged with in my everyday work. Personally, I think there's something special about travelling across the world, eating, housing, learning, and sharing such a unique experience together. UTM Abroad gave me the privilege to develop authentic and real connections with students that will last for years to come."
– Jessica Charbonneau, Student Development Officer, Student Housing and Residence Life
What to Expect
- A unique opportunity to connect with students, support their experience and learn together.
- A jam-packed itinerary that includes local accommodation (e.g., guest houses, 3-star hotels, and homestays), transportation, meals etc.
- An international professional development opportunity.
- A grassroots way of traveling where the group will engage in hands-on activities each day and delve into the culture beyond your typical tourist experience.
- An active travel experience that includes strenuous activities accessible to most healthy travelers. For example in the past, groups have hiked up a volcano in Guatemala and built a road in Thailand.
- An experience you will never forget.
Staff Expectations
- Staff must have previous crisis management, conflict mediation, accessibility and safety management, student development, and travel experience as applicable to the experience of their choice.
- Staff will be required to travel and remain with the group at all times, including during the flights. No exceptions will be made.
- Staff will be asked to participate in 3 pre-departure workshops, training sessions (as required), and post-trip assessment. Successful applicants will be made aware of all required dates well in advance.
- Staff will be expected to take a leadership role and act as a role model for students while working collaboratively with the faculty member and/or the program leaders (where applicable).
- Staff will act as the University of Toronto administrative and emergency response lead for the duration of the trip including administrative duties at the airport.
- Staff will be expected to understand the University of Toronto's Safety Abroad requirements and international travel guidelines (additional training and support will be provided).
- Staff will be expected to submit a written reflection to their supervisor highlighting the value of the experience in their professional development within one month of program completion.
Current Opportunities
Fall
Academic Experiences:
- ITA235 - Italy
- MGT463 - Iceland
- BIO326 - Ecuador
Winter
Academic Experiences:
Application Process
- Interested staff should complete the application through the UTM Abroad Staff and Faculty Portal detailing the training and experiences that would make them a good fit for the program.
- Who should apply:
- Staff with crisis management in their regular responsibilities;
- Staff that regularly implement programs that support the development of students at UTM;
- Staff with extensive international travel experience - grassroots travel preferred.
- Priority will be given to those with:
- Crisis management training;
- Demonstrated crisis response;
- Have on-call responsibilities.
- For additional information please contact us at utmabroad@utoronto.ca.
Testimonials
"My participation in the staff support role [for UTM Abroad] was the best professional development I’ve experienced in many years. Spending 10 intense days with highly engaged students was fantastic... If you have the time and energy, have flexibility and support to be away from your normal routine, and want a unique experience learning both about and with students, the role of UTM Abroad staff support is truly worthwhile." – Mark Overton, Dean of Student Affairs
"The opportunity to be an IEC staff for 10 days was really empowering. It gave me a sense of the different types of work that each office brings and helped me build deeper connections with the staff at the IEC...this experience was remarkable, challenging, and different. I would not have changed it for the world and am, once again, grateful for the opportunity to be involved with such a fantastic initiative that the IEC provides to the UTM community." – Bianca Anderson, Supervisor, Residence Education, Student Housing and Residence Life
"Learning skills such as working with different students and other stakeholders contributed to my professional development. It allowed me to improve my skills but also learn about my own strengths and weaknesses. I am certain these will be major assets for me as I continue my role as a Student Development Coordinator at the IEC." – Zarina Mamadbekova, Student Development Coordinator – International Programs, International Education Centre
Exchange
Through the Exchange program students have the exciting opportunity to see the world while earning credits towards their degree with 120+ partner institutions in over 40 countries. Within the Exchange program there is;
- Course Based Exchange, where students work with their academic departments before they begin Exchange to determine the equivalencies for the credits they earn overseas – ensuring the time they spend on Exchange does not add time onto their degree.
- International Research, where students have the opportunity to work in a foreign lab, learn new research techniques, and network with professors and graduate students from universities around the world.
Additionally, many of our international partners offer unique and exciting learning opportunities that can be part of your exchange. These might be internships, field courses or other types of experiential opportunities. You can find a list of these opportunities here.
You can find more information about Outbound Exchange here.
Global Classrooms
Global Classrooms (GC) offer an accessible way to internationalize teaching and learning experiences by combining cross-cultural collaborations with technology. Additionally, they enable faculty and instructors to work closely with peers abroad. Below are some examples of the formats a Global Classroom can take;
- Collaborative student projects, papers, research, etc.
- Guest lectures
- Geographically distributed group projects
- Sharing resources / presenting finding to one another
- Develop and deliver an entire course with an international colleague
For more details on UofT’s Global Classrooms please visit https://learningabroad.utoronto.ca/gc-home/.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the typical timeline for adding a Global Learning Initiative to a course?
The timeline for adding GLI to your course varies depending on the type of GLI you are interested in. For less intensive options (guest lectures, joint projects, etc.), we can complete the set-up in 1-6 months. For more intensive options and/or options that have an associated cost (UTM Abroad, joint course development) we accept proposals late summer one year prior to the academic year that you want to run the experience (i.e. we will be accepting proposals for Fall 2022 to Summer 2023 in late summer 2021). Please get in touch with us for an approximate timeline for your global learning initiative.
Can my course have more than one type of Global Learning Initiative?
Yes, we're happy to work with you to tailor the global learning initiatives in whichever way aligns with your course!
Intercultural Development
Join Us in Building a Culturally Inclusive Community!
Embrace the opportunity to enhance your intercultural competence and contribute to creating a more inclusive university environment. We aim to equip faculty and staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate diverse cultural landscapes within the UTM community.
Supports Available tailored to your needs!
- Request an intercultural training for your department or classroom!
- Topics include:
- Introduction to Intercultural Fluency
- Understanding the Intercultural Development Inventory
- How to Handle Difficult Conversations Using Interculturally Aware Approaches
- & more!
- Topics include:
- Get support in internationalizing your curriculum in the classroom
- Complete the Intercultural Development Inventory assessment
- Book a consultation with our Intercultural Coordinator from the IEC if you are unsure of your needs
Enhancing Intercultural Development Framework
The UofT tri-campus international centres developed a comprehensive framework to support intercultural learning and enhance the university’s global influence.
Click here to access the Intercultural Development Framework
Toolkit
Explore our Intercultural Competence Toolkit, designed to provide practical resources for integrating intercultural awareness into your teaching and professional services.