Preparing for Your Exchange
Congratulations on your upcoming exchange! Studying abroad is enriching, and often is a life-transforming experience where learning extends beyond the classroom walls.
Please note that it is important that you track and meet all responsibilities and deadlines outlined below. Failing to meet pre-departure requirements may result in your removal from the Exchange Program. Please continue to check your Carleton email address regularly as you prepare for exchange to ensure you do not miss any correspondence from your Host Institution or from the Carleton University Exchange Team.
Students are encouraged to review our Fall Exchange Roadmap or Winter Exchange Roadmap based on the term they are starting their exchange.
- Nomination and Application Process
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After students have accepted their exchange offer on Carleton Central, the nomination process will start. The Exchange Team will nominate exchange students following each individual partner’s processes and timelines. After being nominated, students will receive a confirmation email from the Exchange Team, outlining next steps.
Students will then be required to complete an application to the partner institution by their deadline. We ask that you wait until you hear from us with information on next steps to start the application process with your host institution.
The timeline to submit your application to the host institution will vary depending on which term you will be starting your studies:
- Fall term students will receive application instructions in the spring prior (around March/April).
- Winter term student will receive application instructions in the fall prior (around September/October)
Once your application is received and accepted by the host institution, you should receive an official letter of acceptance. We strongly recommend that you do not book your flight until you receive your letter of acceptance from the host institution. If you wish to book early before receiving your letter in order to take advantage of discounted flights, consider purchasing cancellation insurance.
Paul Menton Centre (PMC) Students
PMC students should note that not all host institutions will be able to provide accommodation in the same manner as Carleton. You must contact the accessibility services office at the host institution to determine what services are available and arrange for those accommodations. To facilitate this process, your PMC Coordinator can provide you with a copy of your documentation and a letter outlining the accommodations you receive at Carleton. For more information, please visit the Paul Menton Centre.
- Pre-Departure Orientation
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All students approved for an exchange will be required to complete a mandatory Pre-Departure course on Brightspace and attend an Orientation Session. More information on these will be emailed directly to exchange participants around March. Failure to complete these requirements could result in your disqualification from the exchange program.
Topics include:
- Risks and responsibilities
- Medical and travel insurance
- Transition and wellness
- Credit transfer (Registrar’s Office and FGPA)
- Scholarships, bursaries, and government student loans (Awards and Financial Aid Office)
Students must also review and complete the steps outlined in the Pre-Departure Exchange Checklist, including finalizing course selection, creating a budget, and finalizing flights/accommodations.
- Visa and Accommodations
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It is the students’ responsibility to research visa requirements for the country they are travelling to, as well as apply for any needed visas. Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate Embassy or High Commission to find out what documentation is required in order to apply. Please note that, if applying for a visa, you will need to submit your letter of acceptance, which will only be received after the application process.
In terms of accommodations, the host institution might have on-campus residence available to exchange students. If this is the case, you’ll receive information on how to apply for residence. For off-campus accommodations, please consult your host institution for any resources and guidance.
More resources on visa and accommodations can be found at our Exchange Partner Institutions & Programs Website, under your host institution’s specific webpage.
- Scholarships and Bursaries
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Information on Carleton scholarships and bursaries will be shared on the Pre-Departure Orientation, but you can review the resource below for additional opportunities that might be available. Please note students are responsible for researching and applying for any scholarships and bursaries available to them.
Potential Scholarship/Funding Opportunities
Other international scholarships may also be available at EduCanada.
If your plans change at any time and you decide that you no longer wish to study abroad, you must notify the Exchange Team of your withdrawal as soon as possible by contacting exchange@carleton.ca.
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