Global experiences
Experience the world
Upcoming global experiences
Departing on February 17, 2024, and returning February 25, 2024, 16 biomedical students will travel to Paris, Lyon and Besancon to experience industrial and translational research settings for biomedical device manufacturing and development. You will visit Carthera, LabTAU, EDAP TMS and Imasonic to learn about products translated into clinical use (e.g. SonoCloud, Sonolith, ultrasonic transducer devices) for severe brain disorders, cancer targeting therapies, biomedical acoustics, and high intensity frequency ultrasound. You will see how national research laboratories work closely with companies to develop, test and deploy discoveries for commercial use. Students will observe facilities that follow Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Clinical Practices at the centre of biomedical engineering development. This trip includes exploring the Cite des Science Museum in Paris for hands-on engineering educational activities, workshops, and experimentation, and the Musee des Arts et Metiers (Besancon) to learn about the how the first biomedical devices were created and later enhanced.
Student contribution: $2,000
Departing on February 17, 2024, and returning February 24, 20 chemical engineering and 5 energy engineering students will explore Berlin’s rich architectural heritage at the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Berliner Dom, as well as the history of technology at the Deutsches Technique Museum and examples of chemical engineering processes used to transform raw plant materials into finished products such as paper and textiles at the Hanff Museum. Highlights include learning about computational fluid dynamics and dynamic thermal modelling at the Sony Centre roof, the latest research underlying the chemical conversion of matter and energy at the Fritz Haber Institute, the production of beer at the Historische Brauerei, and canal lock operations via a river boat cruise.
Student contribution: $1,500
Application close: October 18, 2023
Departing on February 17, 2024, and returning February 23, 2024, 15 civil and 5 sustainability students will explore Lisbon, Sintra, Obidos, Nazarre and Porto, learning about urban planning, sustainability and infrastructure challenges. Observe the different architectural styles and infrastructure of Lisbon, a 2020 European Green Capital Award winner. While in Sintra, you will visit the 16th-century Aqueduto de Obidos, a 3 km long aqueduct comprised of 127 arches and stone masonry structural engineering. A visit to Nazare follows to learn about the hydrology behind the largest waves in the world. Tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest universities in Europe to see the Biblioteca Joanina, an 18th-century baroque library on campus, followed by a possible visit to the Faculty of Engineering. The highlights of a day in Porto include riding the Guindais Funicular to learn about the geotechnical engineering behind its construction and finish the day with a campus tour of the University of Porto and a visit to the Faculty of Engineering to learn about their sustainability initiatives.
Student Contribution: exact amount to be finalized, maximum $2,000
Departing on February 18, 2024, and returning February 24, 2024, this trip for 20 electrical students is an immersive exploration into the realm of electrical engineering; visiting Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Delft. You will experience a vibrant spectrum of electrical engineering enterprises and educational institutions, all renowned worldwide for their unparalleled expertise. Throughout this visit, we will delve into the following facets of electrical engineering: chip manufacturing at ASML, quantum computing at QuiX Quantum and the House of Quantum, vehicle design at DAF, and optics and power electronics at TU Endhoven.
Student Contribution: $1,750
Departing on February 17, 2024, and returning February 23, 2024, 10 geomatics students will travel to Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich and Bern. While in Lausanne, you will visit the Ecole Polytechnique federale de Lausanne, and the School of Engineering and then go to the offices of senseFly for a site visit to learn about about drones, sensors and software for GIS, mapping and surveying. Geneva highlights include a tour of the United Nations and a site visit of Cern, as well as the Museum of Science or Natural History. You will travel to Zurich via Bern and visit Swisstopo, the Federal Office of Topography, for insights into Switzerland's national mapping agency. Concluding your trip in Zurich, you will explore ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering known for its cutting-edge geomatics engineering research and programs. And lastly, visit the Leica Geosystems/Hexagon Swiss corporate office to learn about and see the latest technologies and applications of Leica/Hexagon products.
Student Contribution: $2,000
Departing on February 17, 2024, and returning February 24, 2024, this trip for 18 mechanical students offers an in-depth understanding of the historical evolution of energy systems while immersing them in the rich cultural and educational environments of Europe. At the heart of this educational journey are visits to some of the world's most renowned science museums, each with its own distinct charm and historical significance. While in Munich, you will learn about the future of the automobile through energy transition at the BMW Museum and energy systems at the Deutsches Museum. You will gain insights into the historical context in which energy systems were developed at the Musee des Arts et Metiers in Paris. When in London, visit the Science Museum to obtain an overview of how energy has shaped the modern world and then delve into lectures and workshops on cutting edge energy topics at the Royal Institution.
Student Contribution: $2,000
Departing on February 18, 2024, and returning February 24, 2024, 18 software students will explore the heart of the tech industry in Silicon Valley, network with professionals, and gain insights into cutting-edge technology, visiting companies such as Apple, Google, Facebook, or Tesla. You will also visit Stanford University and their Computer Science Department. These visits may include speaker(s), in-depth tour of their technical facilities, and/or organized panel discussions regarding future research opportunities, job opportunities, and emerging technologies. At the Computer History Museum, students will be taken through the fascinating journey of how computers evolved with all the original pieces! Your trip may also include visiting a start up accelerator to learn about Silicon Valley culture and innovation, as well as meeting with a venture capital firm to understand the investment landscape.
Student Contribution: $2,000
Schulich School of Engineering Global Experience Student Timelines (this is the same for all trips):
- Oct. 11 - 12: Applications open
- Oct. 17: Applications close
- Oct. 20: Selected Students notified
- Oct. 23 - 27: Students pay in full in person at the ECC office and complete Risk Management documentation and waivers
- Oct. 27: 4 p.m. deadline for students to submit documentation and payment in full
- Oct. 30: Notification to students who were not selected for the trip
- Feb. 1: Students complete Study Abroad modules in D2L
- Feb. 10: Attend Pre-Departure Meeting
- Feb. 17 - 18: Trip departures – dependent on department itinerary
- Feb. 23 - 25: Return to Calgary – dependent on department itinerary
Selection process
- Once the application period closes, the Engineering Career Centre (ECC) will review applications to ensure the applicant meets the minimum criteria.
- Students who meet the minimum criteria will be entered into a lottery for their departmental trip.
- Applicants will be selected from the lottery. The ECC will ensure that the final list of students will be inclusive of equity deserving groups.
- Then, a wait list for each department trip will be created based on the remaining qualified applicants in their respective department lottery pool. Should there be a vacancy, further students may be selected from the lottery.
Selection criteria
Students of all years may apply if they:
- Are a Schulich student in good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or higher)
- Have not participated in a previous year
- Reflect and support equity deserving groups
Please note: If you are selected for a global experience trip and do attend, you will not be eligible for future global experience trips.
Cancellation policy
The student assumes all financial risk and responsibility for their trip payment should they cancel, as payment will not be refunded. Students may purchase their own trip cancellation insurance if they wish.
Student expectations
- You can expect to:
- Travel and participate in a planned itinerary as a group
- Share a room
- Make on-time payments
- Have a valid passport, medical/health insurance, vaccinations, visa, etc.
- Participate in pre-departure online education and mandatory trip meetings
- Students are expected to cover additional expenses (managed directly by program participants):
- Meals (some will be provided, depending on program)
- Additional baggage fees (if required)
- Passport and photos (If required)
- Immunizations based on recommendations from travel clinic, cost varies depending on individual circumstances and destination countries
- Travel insurance (emergency response is included)
Students pay for approximately 50% of the trip cost with the remaining 50% paid by the Schulich School of Engineering.
Please read the Student Participation Agreement for exact details.
Past global experiences
During Winter 2023, a total of 104 students, consisting of 97 undergraduate and 7 graduate students, took part in The Global Engineering Experience across six distinct locations, namely Denver, Europe, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, and Silicon Valley.
Chemical Engineering in the Netherlands
This experience focused on the Chemical and Energy Industry, reaction and catalysis engineering, food and drink industry, high tech industry and renewable energy resources.
The History of Energy
This trip was designed to provide students with knowledge of the historical evolution of energy systems, including visits to some of the most famous science museums in the world.
Civil Engineering in Tokyo
As the world’s most populous metropolis with deep historical ties, Tokyo is a leader in modern architecture, public transportation, and natural disaster response mechanisms.
The friendships made along with the engineering insight and experiences gained were memories I will carry my whole life. I am incredibly happy I chose to go on this trip and would absolutely recommend it to anyone.
Student participant
Photos from the Grace Hopper Celebration
Students attended the conference from Sept. 26 - 29, 2023, in Orlando, Florida.
Find out more. Search our FAQs!
Interested in a global experience?
Apply for selection and you'll hear back if selected for an experience.