How to apply for exchanges

It is of utmost importance that you apply for your exchange by the deadline. Your odds of being placed for an exchange depends on the pool of applicants, and their choices and qualifications. There is no maximum number of students accepted for exchange each year; however, there is a limit to how many students we send to each institution each year (between two and six).

Application Process

To apply for Laurier's outbound exchanges, follow the steps below. Throughout the application process, if you require one-on-one guidance or advice, visit with the student abroad advisor (Waterloo) or the coordinator, global engagement programming (Brantford).

Before submitting your entire exchange application, wait until you have a complete application form including a signed departmental approval form. You can apply to up to three institutions and we aim to place as many students as possible.

1. Review our list of partner universities where you can study.
2. Review the information about preparation and eligibility. Note: You must complete a minimum of 10 credits before you can participate in an exchange.
3. Attend one of our information sessions to learn more about exchange opportunities.
4. After the information session, you will gain access to the Student Exchange Program course on MyLearningSpace for application documents and other helpful resources.
5. Submit your application to go abroad fall 2019 and/or winter 2020:
   • Part one: Submit your hard copy application documents attached by a paper clip (no electronic copies) to Laurier International at 2A01 Arts (Waterloo) or DC135 (Brantford).
   • Part two: Submit an electronic online application form (access the link through MyLearningSpace after attending an information session).

Application Deadline

Completed applications must be submitted to the International Office by Monday, Jan. 28, 2019 at 4 p.m. Students can submit applications late for any spaces that are still available. More information will be provided as they become available.

Late Applications

Late applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no guarantee that there will be spaces left after the first deadline. Late applications for students in all faculties will be accepted until:

• Fall 2019 exchange: Feb. 13, 2019 by 4 p.m.
• Fall 2019 exchange for Indigenous students to Syracuse University, USA (funding available):  Feb. 15, 2019 by 4 p.m. (to learn more, contact exchange@wlu.ca or indigenous@wlu.ca )
• Winter 2020 exchange:
  • April 15, 2019 by 4 p.m. and apply for the GEMF award
  • May 15, 2019 by 4 p.m. without GEMF award application

Departmental Approval Form

Research what courses are available to you at the host institution and write down the courses you are hoping to take if you go on exchange – view a course calendar on the host institution website. Consider this list as a "wish list" as you are not committed to taking these courses. Write your "wish list" on the departmental approval form – obtained through the International Opportunities Course – and have your undergraduate advisor sign the form. Bring your completed progression plan to your appointment to ensure you are meeting your program requirements.

References

For your application, you will require two references, one academic and one non-academic. Your academic reference must be an instructor from Laurier – a professor, teaching assistant or lab instructor. Your non-academic reference can be anyone who is not related to you or a friend of yours such as a coach from a sports team or employers (past or present).

Placement Notification

If you have been placed with an exchange partner, you will be notified on February 28. If you are placed, you have one week to decide if you'd like to accept the placement. If you are not placed, you can review the list of exchange spots still available and apply to those.

Confirming Your Acceptance

To confirm your exchange, accept the exchange placement with Laurier International.

Laurier International will nominate you to the host university between March and September, depending on when the host wants this information. This process allows Laurier International to confirm with the host institution which Laurier students will be going there on exchange.

The host institution will email all nominated students with their application forms and any required documents you must complete. Once you receive the application form from the host university, you must fill out the forms and submit them to the host university.

Upon receiving and reviewing your application form, the host university can officially accept you as an exchange student as long as you submit the completed required documents on time.

Institutions with No Exchange Agreement

You may be able to study at a university that Laurier does not have an exchange agreement with; however,Laurier International does not offer assistance in facilitating these exchanges (e.g. credit transfers). 

In order to study at a non-exchange agreement institution, you must fill out a Letter of Permission (LoP) from Enrolment Services. Through this letter of permission, credits earned can be applied to a Laurier degree; however, the tuition is payable to the host university. 

If you go abroad on a LoP as opposed to students who go to one of our partner schools who pay Laurier tuition fees, you will be paying international student tuition fees. Paying international fees can affect your OSAP financial assistance.