How to plan and prepare for exchange in 2020/21

As we continue to plan for students to go on exchange during the 2020/21 academic year, we have made some adjustments to our deadlines and pre-departure programming. Please refer to the information below as you make preparations and complete documentation for your exchange.

We also encourage you to review our frequently asked questions for more information on the student exchange program.

Updates to Deadlines

We have adjusted the deadlines for the completion and submission of some of the documentation and programming you're required to complete to participate in the student exchange program. However, some deadlines will be decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on the decisions you make about participating in the exchange program in 2020/21. 

Because Laurier will be deciding no later than June if exchanges will proceed in fall 2020, we understand if you haven't completed all the required documentation and programming. If you're considering switching your exchange term from fall 2020 to winter 2021, please contact Allison Donahue as soon as possible as there may be limited exchange spots available for winter 2021. Before contacting Allison, review the winter term dates at your preferred host institutions to be sure the dates and courses will work for you.

Documentation to Complete

Once you accept your offer, you will need to complete the following forms:

• Form 3A: Agreement to Participate
• Form 3B: Off-Campus Activities Participant Form
• Form 3C: Information and Photo Consent Form
• Form 4: Off-Campus Activities Participant Form for Student Exchange and Summer Abroad Programs

Information and links to these forms can be found in your original exchange placement offer letter. 

Revised Deadlines for Form 6

You will also have to complete Form 6, but not right away. If you have already completed Form 6, thank you! We will be in touch over the summer if any updates are required. If you haven't yet completed Form 6, here are the revised deadlines:

• Fall 2020 exchange students: Please complete Form 6 after Laurier has decided if students will be able to go on exchange for fall 2020. The decision will be made no later than the end of June. If it is decided that students can go on exchange for fall 2020, please submit Form 6 by July 17, 2020.
• Winter 2021 exchange students: Please complete Form 6 after Laurier has decided if students will be able to go on exchange for winter 2021. The timeline to make this decision has not yet been determined. If it is decided that students can go on exchange for winter 2021, please submit Form 6 by October 31, 2020.

Online Pre-Departure Programming

To help you prepare for exchange, we have moved our pre-departure programming online. Once you accept your exchange placement, it is mandatory that you complete the following pre-departure sessions:

• Pre-departure modules: The modules are available on MyLearningSpace in the Laurier International Online Pre-departure course. You'll need to read through the modules and complete the quiz at the end of each module. All modules must be completed by May 20, 2020.
• Exchange 101 webinar: If you didn't attend the live webinar on April 6 you will need to watch the recording, which is available on MyLS in the Online Pre-departure course. 
• Form 6 Information webinar: If you didn't attend the live webinar on March 11 you will need to watch the recording, which is available on MyLS in the Online Pre-departure course.
• Health and Safety webinar: If you didn't attend the live webinar on May 4 you will need to watch the recording, which is available on MyLS in the Online Pre-departure course.

We will post additional pre-departure programming to MyLS throughout the spring. You can also email exchange@wlu.ca with your ideas about pre-departure information that would be helpful to you.

Health Insurance

You are required to submit proof of purchase of health insurance to Laurier International. Because decisions on whether the student exchange program will proceed for the 2020/21 year still have to be made, there are revised deadlines to submit proof of purchase:

• For fall 2020 exchange students, submit proof of purchase by July 17, 2020. This allows you to wait until Laurier has made the decision about fall 2020 exchanges.
• For winter 2021 exchange students, submit proof of purchase by October 31, 2020.