Niagara College International

This spring, members of the Niagara College community will enhance their global competencies in two Be World Ready (BWR) International Field Studies (IFS) during the mid-term break week (June 21 to 29).

Itineraries in Spain and Costa Rica will allow students and employees to share life-changing experiences and benefit from unique professional and personal development opportunities.

During the BWR IFS experiences, students can use their break weeks to learn and earn course credit outside the walls of their classrooms. Students interested in joining a BWR IFS must complete the Be World Ready Course, aimed to foster intercultural competencies, global leadership and global employment skills of students, preparing them for the experience abroad.

As IFS leaders, NC employees support student coordination, logistics, and inquiries while abroad, in addition to being ambassadors for NC, which presents an opportunity for faculty and staff career growth. Individuals interested in becoming a lead should read our Lead FAQs.

Below is an outline of the Spring 2025 BWR IFS and leader insights.

Spain

The Barcelona, Spain itinerary is designed for students from all NC programs and combines academic exploration with cultural immersion in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.

Highlights include industry visits focused on sustainability and healthcare; connections with local students from LCI Barcelona during their capstone Fashion week projects; and experiential learning activities such as a paella cooking workshop.

The IFS will be co-led by Roxanne Pastor, Outbound Global Engagement Coordinator, and Victor Pauka Alves de Oliveira, Manager of Catering & Special Events.

“My main expectation is to gain a deeper understanding of how Spain, particularly Barcelona, is advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs),” said Pastor. “The program’s blend of classroom lectures and real-world insights promises a comprehensive exploration of sustainability, innovation, and social impact initiatives. I anticipate that this journey will not only enhance my knowledge but also inspire personal growth and a deeper commitment to global citizenship.”

Oliveira sees the IFS as an opportunity to enhance his ability to educate through real-world cultural exposure.

“As a hospitality professor, experiencing and understanding how hospitality can be offered in different cultures is something fascinating to me,” said Oliveira. “To be able to collect all these experiences and perspectives and share them with my students back at the college can be very helpful in class. Additionally, this journey will also contribute to my leadership and general management skills.”

Costa Rica

The Costa Rica: Allied Health Programs itinerary will offer NC students in these programs the opportunity to explore health practices, community wellness, and sustainability within a global context, while gaining intercultural insight and applied experience beyond the classroom.

The IFS includes visits to a sustainable coffee farm, participation in health-focused workshops, and engagement in community-based initiatives supporting elderly care. Students will also take part in cultural exchange activities with the Maleku Indigenous community.

Co-leader of the IFS, Samantha Pischedda, Registered Dental Hygienist, is eager to guide students through this hands-on experience.

“I chose to go on this IFS with students to provide them with hands-on learning experiences beyond the classroom, expose them to different cultures and perspectives, and help them develop critical thinking and global awareness,” said Pischedda. “I think travel experiences are vital for students to foster personal growth, and I look forward to being part of this meaningful experience.”

The chance to learn from another culture’s approach to healthcare motivated co-leader Carmel Andrews, Lab Technologist in Nursing and Personal Support Worker programs, to take part in the IFS.

“I was inspired by the opportunity to engage with another culture and learn from them how their medical system works,” said Andrews. “Additionally, this Field Study will allow me to get a glimpse of what our international students may experience when coming to Canada and learning in an environment where a different language is spoken.”

Niagara College’s Be World Ready program

The Be World Ready (BWR) program at Niagara College is designed to prepare students for global success through education, exchange and international experience, including study/work abroad opportunities for all students. The program also offers professional and personal development opportunities for NC faculty and staff. Fostering culturally diverse learning environments, the BWR program enables students, staff and faculty to understand different perspectives and connect practical skills with a global mindset to help students launch their career.

By actively participating in ‘world-ready’ learning activities, participants have the chance to practice new skills and develop the global competencies that will distinguish them as ‘world-ready’ and ‘work-ready’. Students can also use these learning opportunities to earn entries on their co-curricular record, giving them a competitive edge in their job search after graduation.

For more information about BWR, visit: www.beworldready.ca