At the end of my five years at SFU Business, I received a Bachelor in Business Administration Honours in Marketing and Management Information Systems. Yes, it was exciting, and the certificate is proudly framed and hanging in my parents’ den. But that is not definitive of my time at SFU. Instead, the various out-of-classroom elements, including three co-ops, case competitions both local and abroad, academic exchange at Tsinghua University in Beijing, and a community development internship in Brazil, have defined my past five years. It is those very elements of my Beedie experience that have made me more competitive in the business world and allowed me to secure a role with Procter & Gamble one year prior to my graduation date.
When I reflect upon my past five years, co-ops and case competitions have honed my career-oriented acumen and skills. However, my most memorable experiences would be, undoubtedly, exchange. From my exchanges in China and Brazil, I have emerged as more of a global citizen, with a better understanding of myself and where I want to be. I made friends with people from across the globe, I learned a new language, a new culture, and I made an impact with those who I volunteered with.
My one piece of advice comes from this quick story. I met a university student from Asia while I was in Brazil, he studied accounting and was in his last year of studies. After his exchange in Denmark followed by Brazil, he decided he would do three more AIESEC internships – a development one in India, and professional working ones in Singapore and Brazil, before commencing work full-time. He realized he would be a much more competitive/global citizen after completing those three internships (two of which would be paid) and that work will always be there. I’m not saying you should do three exchanges, but I highly recommend doing at least one exchange. There are significant differences between an academic and an AIESEC exchange so I would recommend doing both if you can. There may be reasons such as “the school doesn’t offer transferable credits” or “I don’t have money”, but I know an exchange is worth delaying graduation by a semester or two. Also, you can pick “less expensive” countries to do an exchange, where you are able to live with a host family for free and pay for small expenses that you would easily be able to pay off with two months of part-time Canadian pay.
All in all, there’s only one thing left for you to do. Stop hesitating. Apply today and go on an exchange. It will be the best time of your life.