Expand your horizons

• Take courses that focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, as well as two optional streams on major Vancouver industries: Fashion and Film.
• Study at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby Campus, just a quick bus or Skytrain ride to downtown Vancouver’s vibrant sights, shopping and restaurants.
• Live on-campus with your friends and other Summer Program students in single-room style accommodations.
• Be surrounded by breathtaking views, amazing hiking trails, and Canada’s most beautiful landscapes.
• Enjoy Vancouver area tours and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences, and travel to beautiful Vancouver Island.

The SFU Beedie International Summer Program offers non-credit courses valued at three credit hours each, totalling 39 hours per course. The core course focuses on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, while the two optional streams focus on major local industries in Vancouver: Fashion and Film. Each hands-on course will feature an applied project and unique insights from area experts.

Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Students from all faculties will come together to learn foundational entrepreneurship and innovation concepts. Students will build the collaborative and creative skills necessary to become effective innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers through hands-on application via interdisciplinary teamwork. Entrepreneurship and innovation of all types will be addressed including social, commercial, creative, sustainable and technological perspectives.

Sustainability in Fashion 

In this course students will explore the history and evolution of the fashion industry, the impacts of the fashion industry as it relates to social, economic and environmental issues as well we will discuss the various business models a sustainability innovative fashion company can employ.

The second part of this course will cover the process of New Product Development from concept to launch. Students will also go over market segmentation, creating a user persona as well how to create an effective marketing strategy utilizing the 4 P’s (Product, Place, Promotion and Pricing) while considering your target market, brand and business strategy.

Sustainability in Film

In this course students will explore the history, evolution and impacts of the film production industry focused on how blockbuster and independent films have evolved in relation to their social, economic and environmental impacts. Students will explore the entrepreneurial process of developing a sustainable film production company from concept to operation including the integration of cutting-edge, environmentally friendly technologies, the production process itself and how film production can both be a lucrative business opportunity and a conduit for immense positive change in the world.

The second part of the course will see students develop a joint Group Project alongside our sister course ‘Sustainability in Fashion’ whereby groups of students will develop a crowd-funding video concept to launch their new sustainable fashion brand.

• Be an undergraduate or graduate student
• Be currently enrolled in, and recommended by, an officially recognized university/college
• Recommended minimum TOEFL iBT score of 60 or an equivalent proof of English language ability (IELTS, etc.). Students must complete the self-assessment student language skills with their application.
• Must have medical insurance for the duration of the program (provide copy upon arrival)
• Certain nationals will be required to obtain a visa for entry to Canada. Find out if you need a visa.