Student Exchange Program FAQs

Yes, all in-person outbound exchanges have been cancelled for the fall 2020 term. Laurier students can’t travel to our exchange partner institutions to attend courses in person through the exchange agreement. This includes all exchange semesters scheduled to begin before January 2021.

The decision to cancel exchanges for the fall 2020 term was a difficult one to make, but was made with the health and safety of our students in mind. The travel advisory from the Canadian government continues to recommend that there should be no travel for non-essential purposes and we have no indication of when this will change. We also don’t know what the availability, safety and cost of airline travel will be when the travel advisory does change. Travel insurance may not be available to cover COVID-19 cases and we are also wary of a second wave. To date, 14 of our exchange partners have canceled their exchange programs for the fall and many Canadian universities are doing the same.

We have made the decision now to cancel the fall exchange term because of the extensive preparations that need to happen to prepare to study abroad, and these preparations can’t be postponed. Students need adequate time to secure travel documents, arrange accommodations and book their flights. The possibility of recurring border closures, partner institution closures, insurance limitations and prolonged travel logistics over the summer have resulted in an increased risk, making us unable to support a fall 2020 outbound student exchange program.

Laurier International is in the process of rescinding all fall 2020 exchange program offers of participation.

You can withdraw from the student exchange program at any time by emailing us at exchange@wlu.ca. There is no deadline to withdraw and no fees associated with withdrawing.

If you do withdraw but choose to apply for exchange again in the future, you will need to resubmit your application, with the exception of your references. We will keep your academic and non-academic references on file, so you don't need to resubmit these.

You don’t have to contact the host institution. We will be in touch with all host institutions to let them know Laurier won’t have students going on exchange in fall 2020.

If you choose to withdraw completely from the student exchange program you can request a refund of your $100 placement fee. 

To request your refund, please complete the online form.

Refund requests will be processed in batches and the first batch will be processed in early June. Submit your refund request by June 1 to ensure your request is processed in the first batch. Requests received after June 1 will be processed together at a later date in June. 

When the refund goes through, the funds will be posted to your student account.

No refunds of the placement fee will be provided if you were scheduled to go on exchange for the fall 2020 term but have switched your exchange to the winter 2021 term.

There are several options that would allow you to still go on exchange:

• Change your exchange term to winter 2021 and go on exchange at the same host institution
• Change your exchange term to winter 2021 and go on exchange at a different institution
• Defer your exchange to the 2021/22 academic year

Go on exchange in winter 2021 at the same host institution

First, check the term dates and course offerings at the host institution where you were placed to be sure they will work for you. If it will work, email us at exchange@wlu.ca to request to move your exchange term.

If you are an LSBE student, BBA advising has confirmed that you do not need to have a BBA advisor sign a departmental approval form to switch your exchange term from fall 2020 to winter 2021, but only if you are staying at the same host institution.

For students in all other faculties, you will need to get a signature from an academic advisor or program coordinator on a new departmental approval form to switch your exchange term to winter 2021.

Go on exchange in winter 2021 at a different host institution

You can only be considered for winter 2021 exchange at a host institution different from the one where you were originally placed if:

• There are conflicts with the term dates at your host institution; or
• If the required courses you need to take are not being offered during the winter 2021 term.

If either of these circumstances apply to you, email us at exchange@wlu.ca and we can discuss your options for winter 2021.

Defer your exchange to the next academic year

You can choose to defer your exchange to the 2021/22 academic year. We will hold a spot for you at the same institution. Email exchange@wlu.ca to make this request.

We have been communicating with all of our partner institutions to determine if the nominated students can be moved from the fall 2020 term to the winter 2021 term. The following institutions have confirmed that students accepted for fall 2020 can transfer their exchange to winter 2021. If you don’t see your host institution on the list, contact us at exchange@wlu.ca and we’ll provide you with more information.

• Aarhus University
• Akita International University
• Australia Catholic University
• BSB Burgundy School of Business
• Cardiff Metropolitan University
• ESCEM
• European Business School (EBS)
• European University Viadrina
• Hochschule Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences
• HKUST Business School
• IAE - Université Jean Monnet
• IAE UJM Saint Etienne
• IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems
• Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México
• Karlstad University
• Linnaeus University
• Neoma Business School
• NHH Norwegian School of Economics
• Onsabruck University of Applied Sciences
• Philipps-Universitat Marburg (added July 3)
• Poitiers University
• Radboud University
• Rennes School of Business
• Sciences Po Lille
• Seoul National University
• Southwestern University of Finance and Economics
• Swansea University
• Syracuse University
• Technical University of Munich (TUM) School of Management
• Tecnológico de Monterrey
• Università Carlo Cattaneo
• Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
• Université de Tours
• University of Birmingham (added July 3)
• University of Hong Kong
• University of Limerick
• University of Navarra
• University of Sussex
• University of Udine
• Western Sydney University
• ZHAW School of Management and Law

Updated: May 29, 2020

Laurier has determined that taking remote courses through a host institution is no longer possible for outgoing exchange students for Fall 2020. 

There is a great amount of uncertainty and risk if students wish to take remote courses at host institutions, including:  

• Which courses are offered remotely to exchange students.
• Space availability in the classes for exchange students.
• Registration challenges at Laurier and the host institution.
• Unknown accessibility and format of course delivery for overseas students.

If you were depending on remote courses at an exchange partner institution for your academic progression, or have questions, please email exchange@wlu.ca.

We hope to know by the end of September 2020 if winter 2021 exchanges will proceed.

The list of partner institutions accepting exchange students for winter 2021 is changing almost hourly!

If you would like to switch your exchange term to winter 2021 and go to a different institution, after you have checked which institutions have term dates and courses that work for you, email exchange@wlu.ca with your choice(s). We will see what is available and get back to you. We can’t guarantee that there will be availability at any of the institutions you choose.

We will post a list of partner institutions that still have space available for winter 2021 exchange students to MyLS in the Student Exchange Program course as soon as possible.

You are able to enrol in winter courses at Laurier, and stay enroled in those courses, until we let the registrar’s office know that you will be going on exchange.

If you’re not enroled in Laurier courses for the winter term because you’re planning to be on exchange but winter exchange is canceled, you can try to enrol in Laurier courses then.

Registration for 2020/21 fall and winter courses for returning students begins in mid-July.

This is a risk that could happen. We will continue to monitor the situation and stay in touch with our partner institutions.

We encourage you not to make any payments to your host institution until the required deadlines. We also recommend that you don’t book any flights or apply for visas until you receive an acceptance letter from your host institution. Laurier is unable to reimburse you for any costs associated with going on exchange (such as flights, housing, visa costs, etc.).

The only cost that could be reimbursed is the $100 placement fee.

The decision to cancel exchanges for the fall 2020 term was a difficult one to make, but was made with the health and safety of all students and community members in mind. Laurier has announced that the majority of classes will be delivered virtually and online this fall, meaning exchange students who usually visit Laurier for one term would not have the opportunity to engage in the physical classroom on campus. 

Due to the uncertainty related to travel requirements to enter Canada and the need for incoming exchange students to have ample preparation time to secure travel documents, arrange accommodations and book their flights, we knew it was better to make a decision early. This allows students the time to make alternative plans and not have to risk making payments that may not be refundable.

Laurier announced on May 15 that the majority of courses for the fall 2020 term would be delivered online and virtually. Incoming exchange students who were planning to come to Laurier for the fall 2020 term have the following options:

• Change your exchange term to the winter 2021 (January - April) term.
• Change your exchange term to the fall 2021 (September - December) term.
• Withdraw from exchange at Laurier.

We need to receive any changes to your exchange term at Laurier from your home institution's international office. Please communicate with your institution and ask for your decision to be shared with Laurier at exchange@wlu.ca. 

Unfortunately, we are not offering online classes to exchange students. 

We have been investigating the options for incoming exchange students to enroll in Laurier’s online courses, and we have found that there are a number of challenges to ensuring quality course delivery for you.

There are challenges around time zones and synchronous (real-time) delivery of courses, as well as tests and assessments. As well, Laurier is still in the process of planning exactly how fall courses will be offered, and many details will not be available for some time, making it difficult for exchange students to plan for and register in courses for the fall term.

Current deadlines for the pre-departure requirements will not be enforced as we navigate the changes to the exchange program. Pre-departure requirements and deadlines will be re-assessed and determined soon. This includes deadlines for:

• The online pre-departure course material (was due May 20)
• Form 4 (was due May 20)
• Form 6 (was due July 17 for fall 2020 exchange)
• Purchasing health insurance (was due July 17 for fall 2020 exchange)

For students going on exchange in winter 2021, we will provide additional pre-departure sessions throughout the summer and fall to help you prepare for your exchange.

For winter 2021 exchange, you will need to submit proof of purchase of health insurance by October 31, 2020.

We have revised this deadline because decisions have not yet been made about whether the student exchange program will proceed for winter 2021.

If you have started your host institution’s application for fall 2020 exchange, you don’t need to complete it. If your request to move your exchange term to winter 2021 has been confirmed by Laurier International, we will let your host institution know about the change.

You’ll be informed if you need to resubmit your host institution application for their winter 2021 application deadline, or if they can transfer your fall 2020 application to the winter 2021 term.

The decision on how to proceed with your exchange is up to you, and Laurier International will support your decision. We know it can be a difficult decision to make and some things you can consider are:

• Your academic needs and the courses you need to take. Your academic advisor or program coordinator can help you with this.
• When you plan to graduate and if you’re willing to delay graduation. If you go abroad in winter 2021, you won’t be able to graduate in spring (June) 2021 as it takes a few months to transfer credits. The earliest winter 2021 exchange students can graduate is October 2021.
• Why you originally decided to go on exchange. Review your Letter of Motivation from your application.
• The personal factors that would impact, or be impacted by, your decision. This can include work, co-op terms, your family, your financial situation, housing, etc.
• The risks and benefits of going, or not going, on exchange.

You can also get more information by watching the recording of the Q&A session hosted by Laurier International staff, available in the Student Exchange Program course in MyLearningSpace, or email us at exchange@wlu.ca if you have questions.

There are several ways you can be globally engaged without going on exchange. You can:

• Participate in the Intercultural Certificate, a free, six-week program offered at Laurier each semester.
• Take a summer abroad course offered by one of our partner institutions. These opportunities are similar to exchange as you will pay tuition to Laurier while studying at a partner institution but the courses are shorter than a full term. Opportunities will be posted in January 2021 for courses in summer 2021, and you’ll apply in late January or early February 2021.
• Volunteer virtually with our office. Email us at exchange@wlu.ca if you're interested!

Please email us at exchange@wlu.ca by Tuesday, May 26 to let us know your decision. If you haven’t decided by that date, please let us know the most likely decision about your next steps, such as deferring your exchange to another term or withdrawing from the program. We will contact you to confirm we have received your decision.