The BIB Year Abroad Roadmap
Table of Contents
This page is intended to serve as a guide to help you explore and navigate your year abroad journey. As you get started, take the time to explore this page fully and take advantage of the following resources available to help you map out your pathway ahead:
- Carleton Exchange Program
- Exchange Partner Institutions
- BIB Internship Information
- Sprott Program Advisors
- Sprott Career Advisors
Academic Requirements: Year Abroad Prerequisite Requirements
Please note that all earned grades, including any underlying grades converted to a CR (Credit), are used in calculating the prerequisite CGPA requirements for the year abroad.
To be eligible to participate in the year abroad, students must meet the following prerequisite requirements:
- At the time of application, students must have achieved a minimum Major CGPA of 6.50.
- At the time of their pre-departure ACE, students must have achieved a minimum Major CGPA of 6.50 and must have successfully completed:
Please contact your BIB Program Advisor at bib@sprott.carleton.ca to confirm that you are on track to meet the prerequisites for the year abroad prior to the start of your second year.
Administrative Expectations and Student Success
BIB students participating in the year abroad are Sprott ambassadors and have a responsibility to their peers, their program, and to the University. All administrative requirements are important in supporting the success of students navigating their year abroad. Students will navigate competing priorities and intercultural challenges throughout their year abroad experience; therefore, students must be motivated to learn and adjust to new organizational systems.
BIB students must demonstrate professionalism through all stages of the year abroad. Students are expected to meet all program deadlines and application requirements. Students must adhere to the BIB Course Approval process, and they must meet the registration requirements of both their host institution and Carleton University. Students must read and respond to all communication requests from Sprott and from Carleton University in a timely manner.
Students are expected to develop a year abroad action plan centred around their program and personal goals. In developing their own plan, students must include clear and realistic steps that they can take to support their academic progression, travel plans, intercultural learning, time management, budgeting and finances, etc.
Students must work with their assigned Sprott Program Advisor during every stage of their Year Abroad experience, noting that advisors are an important resource that can help students meet their program goals. Advisors are not able to complete administrative requirements on behalf of their students; however, they are the first point of contact for students at Sprott and will help guide their students to support a successful year abroad experience.
Your Year Abroad Roadmap
As you navigate the application requirements of the Year Abroad, remember that there are specific administrative processes that you must complete successfully to support the success of your exchange or BIB internship experience.
The following roadmap highlights some of your required steps by month starting after your first year to help you stay on track.
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- Complete all pre-departure requirements, including attending the mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation and meeting with your Sprott Program Advisor
- Continue researching and reading about your destination.
- Reach out to the international office at your host institution to get information about their transition supports.
- Ontario Residents: Inform OHIP of your upcoming year abroad. If you are from outside the Province, be sure to inform your health provider of your year abroad.
- Register and download the International SOS App
- Enter your travel information in the CU Travel Registry on Carleton Central.
- Submit your completed Student Visa application form to the Embassy immediately after receiving your official Acceptance Letter from your host institution
- Communicate with your host institution regarding arrival dates, housing options, course selection, etc.
- Book your flight – consider boking a flexible rate.
- Purchase health and travel insurance as directed
- Continue following the steps in the Pre-departure Checklist provided by the ISSO
- Continue working on the approval of your Exchange courses.
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- Continue practicing your language skills and learning about your possible year abroad destinations – watch foreign films or shows in the language, read local newspapers, etc.
- Start updating your resume and researching opportunities available on the international internship resources provided by the BCMC
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- The ISSO will inform you via email of your placement by mid-February
- You must ACCEPT your placement via Carleton Central by the deadline to allow for Carleton to officially nominate you to your exchange institution
- Apply to the partner institution following the application instructions provided by either the exchange team at the ISSO or directly to you by the partner via email. You must complete their application by their deadline!
- Enter key dates and deadlines for both Carleton and your host institution to your Calendar, setting reminders along the way to help you stay on track.
- Review the Exchange course approval process and start developing a preliminary academic plan – note that it is your responsibility to align your exchange courses with your BIB program requirements.
- Start working with your Program Advisor and Registrar Specialist on your course evaluations with sufficient time to meet the registration dates and deadlines of your host institution.
- Get connected with BIB students who have studied at your partner institution to start preparing for your own exchange.
- Check your Carleton email regularly and respond to all requests from Sprott and the ISSO in a timely manner.
- Review the applicable student visa/work permit requirements and start gathering the required documentation for your applications
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- Your Sprott advisor will review your eligibility for the year abroad and will be in contact with you by email should there be any questions regarding your eligibility
- Continue researching your Top 5 exchange destinations
- Attend the Internship Cohort Welcome Meeting, if applicable
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- Pay your Carleton tuition for the full academic year.
- Do not register for courses at Carleton. The Registrar’s office will register you as a full-time student on Exchange for the year abroad. The Registrar’s Office will also register you into BUSI 3700.
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- Develop a registration action plan for second year noting the prerequisite requirements for the Year Abroad (i.e. register in BUSI 2702 in Fall, and BUSI 2750 in Winter)
- Connect with your BIB Program Advisor by visiting the Sprott Undergraduate Office during Advising drop-in hours (Mondays through Thursdays, between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.) or email bib@sprott.carleton.ca
- Start researching your options for completing the year abroad – countries, partner institutions, work requirements, etc.
- Start developing goals for your year abroad by noting your priorities (preferred destinations, type of courses, services, timeline, etc.)
- Research your responsibilities and the expectations of students participating in the year abroad
Before you Depart
- Comply with all of Carleton’s Departure requirements & forms
- Arrange for a place to stay in your destination for the first few days, if necessary, while you search for an apartment or wait for your residence to open.
- Exchange currency – plan to bring enough local currency with you to pay for transportation, food, and other expenses that you may encounter during your first few days. In some situations, U.S. dollars may be helpful too.
Upon Arrival
- Complete your Contact Information While Abroad Form
- Connect with your Sprott Program Advisor and follow the Course Approval process at the start of each semester.
- Consider blogging and or journaling to document your experience and growth throughout your year abroad!
Connect with your BIB Program Advisor to discuss your individual program progression requirements and your questions about any of the requirements and steps outlined on this page.