Study Globally, Thrive Locally!

This unique self-led exchange opportunity at EUF  is currently offered to students in the Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programs for a full semester between March and July.

Discover and learn more about EUF through their website.

Eligibility

• Student in the

  • Bachelor of Education, recommended during your third year, contact your Program Chair for details

  • Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies; or

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

• 18 years old or older

• In good academic standing (must maintain it during the exchange)

Academic Semester at EUF 

• Fall Term: September - February 

• Spring Term: March - August 

• Mandatory orientation week at the beginning of the semester 

• Lecture period: Mid-March – Beginning of July 

• Exam Period: End of June – Mid-July 

• After exam: research period/semester break – no lecture 

RDP students will be participating in the exchange with EUF during their spring term between March to August. Students can return as soon as all exams are completed. Explore course offerings for exchange students at EUF.

Check with the Student Connect Centre to ensure you have room for open electives in your study. Your Program Chair or Associate Dean can also help with EUF course selection.

Cost to Participate

The overall 5-month exchange cost is estimated at CAD $9,000, which includes: 

• Airfare 
• Ground Transportation 
• Travel Insurance 
• Accommodations 
• Meals 
• Tuition Costs  
• Study Visa 

Since this is a self-directed endeavour, students will be accountable for organizing and covering the expenses required for their participation. The RDP Abroad Office and the Incoming Exchange Students team at EUF will be available to offer assistance and guidance throughout the process.

Funding Opportunities

The EUF Exchange Award, provided jointly by the International Division and the School of Arts and Education, aims to reduce the financial burden on students participating in the exchange with EUF. This award is a testament to our commitment to providing inclusive and accessible international education opportunities.  

Successful candidates participating in the EUF Exchange will automatically receive this exchange award.

More funding opportunities.

Timeline and Process 

Applications Open: April 25 - June 7, 2024

Shortlisting & Interviews: June 10 - 25, 2024

Notification of Result: June 28, 2024

RDP Nomination to EUF: September to October

Student Notified by EUF to submit Application: By November 1

Prep Work by Student: November – February

Arrive at EUF: By March 1

About Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) 

Discover RDP and explore our virtual tours to experience our campuses.

Academic Program Information

Semester Dates 

• Fall Term: September to December 

  • Reading Week - 2nd week in October (no classes) 

• Winter Term: January to April 

  • Reading Week - 3rd week in February (no classes) 

• Spring Term: May to June 

• Summer Term: July to August 

Learning Experience 

You can expect to engage in a wide variety of learning experiences at RDP, including lectures, interactive discussions, individual and group projects, student-led presentations, experiential activities, labs, and more. Connect with our Academic Advisors in the Student Connect Centre, virtually or in person, for help with course selection.

Bachelor of Education Program Information 

The Bachelor of Education degree is a four-year program that prepares future teachers to design high-quality, socially responsible and authentic learning opportunities that meet learner needs.

Academic Planning Guides provide an overview of the program and specializations in Early Years (grades Kindergarten to 4), Middle Years (grades 5 to 9) and Secondary (grades 10 to 12).

Education Courses 

Students from EUF are welcome to join any of the following EDUC courses 

• EDUC 1301 - Interpersonal Relationships 

• EDUC 1302 - Educational Technology 

• EDUC 1304 - Inclusive Learning Environments 

• EDUC 1305 - Child Development 

• EDUC 1500 - The Teaching Profession (includes field experience) 

• EDUC 2500 - Social Equity & Inclusion 

• EDUC 2803 - Language Learning and Literacy 

• EDUC 2804 – Numeracy 

• EDUC 2805 - Foundational Knowledge 

• EDUC 2312 - Designing Learning 

• EDUC 4311 - Indigenous Ways 

• EDUC 4342 - Designing Integrated Learning 

Courses in Other Disciplines 
There are also a wide variety of courses offered at RDP you can choose from. The following table provides an overview of the different disciplines and can guide specific course selection.

You can also access the full list of courses available at RDP in our Academic Calendar.

The Bachelor of Education Program Chair will help you select courses that are of interest to you and are available during your semester of study at RDP.

Before taking any courses, it is important to consult with your home institution to ensure courses taken at RDP are transferable to EUF. 

Living and Learning in Red Deer 

• Residence 

• Campus Amenities and Services 

• City of Red Deer 

• Alberta Attractions 

Estimated Cost: 

Entrance into Canada for Academic Studies 

“Foreign nationals may enter Canada or remain in Canada without a study permit to attend a course or program of study of 6 months’ duration or less [R188(1)(c)].” Government of Canada website

Find out if you need a study permit - Canada.ca 

For study in Canada 6 months or less: 

• Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV, also called a Visitor Visa) is required to travel to Canada 

• A study permit is not required unless you want to work while in Canada

• A study permit is strongly recommended, even if you are studying in Canada for less than 6 months 

For study in Canada lasting longer than 6 months: 

• eTA or TRV is required to travel to Canada 

• Study permit is required - Study permit: About the process - Canada.ca 

For general information about international student study, review the  Government of Canada website. 
 
Red Deer Polytechnic International Division also has information specific to permits and visas. 

Application to Red Deer Polytechnic 

Interested students will be nominated by EUF to the RDP Abroad Office. Once the nomination is accepted, students will complete their application to RDP and submit it directly International Admissions with your EUF nomination.

COVID-19 
Canada ended entry requirements related to COVID-19 in October 2022. For the most current COVID-19 information, see COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders - Travel.gc.ca 

Contact Information 
Visit International to learn about studying at Red Deer Polytechnic. For questions and inquiries, email RDP Abroad. 

 In partnership with CREMA and Turtle Trax, Red Deer Polytechnic is excited to offer our Bachelor of Biological Sciences students an opportunity to apply their learning at a turtle sanctuary in Costa Rica.  

Timing is coordinated around the regular turtle nesting season in Costa Rica, which occurs between July and December. 

Experience Options:

Volunteer Experience:

• Spend 3 weeks in Costa Rica and get immersed in a full-contact experience with nature and coastal communities of the Southern Nicoya Peninsula.  

• Protection and conservation activities including direct work with the sea turtle conservation program, and community connections.  

  Research Assistant Experience: 

• This position is hired by CREMA for 10 weeks or more in Costa Rica  

• Working with the Project Coordinator with all aspects of the research project, including managing volunteers, leading night patrols, organizing community environmental education activities, and station house maintenance. 

• Take biometric data from nesting sea turtles, tag their front flippers, and move their nests to a protected area during beach patrols. 

• Find out more about research assistant by visiting CREMA’s website. 

Eligibility Requirements 

Students must complete the 2nd year of the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Red Deer Polytechnic by June of the experience year to be eligible to apply. Students must be in their 3rd or 4th year when participating in the experience.  

For example, if you would like to apply for the 2025 abroad experience, you must finish your 2nd year of study by June 2025. You will submit your application when it opens while you are still in your 2nd year. 

Experience Dates

For Volunteer: 

• 2025 Tentative Experience Dates:  

  • Summer Cohort: Jul 21 – Aug 13, 2025 

  • Fall Cohort: Sep 25 – Oct 20, 2025 

• Project site location is assigned by Turtle Trax 

  For Research Assistant: 

• 2025 Tentative Experience Dates:  

  • Summer to Fall: Aug 15 – Oct 25, 2025 

  • Fall: Sep 25 – Dec 5, 2025 or Oct 5 – Dec 15, 2025 

• Project site location is assigned by CREMA 

Course Information 

Students who successfully complete the experience will be awarded credits in SCIE 4901 Applied Study Credit (3 Credits).  

Research Assistant participants have the option to do further research and receive additional credits for BIOL 4902 (3 credits) or BIOL 4905 (6 credits). * 

Volunteer participants have the option to do further research and receive additional credits for BIOL 2399 (1.5 credits). * 

*Additional research course availability is limited and will require approval from a supporting faculty supervisor. Students must have a faculty supervisor aligned by the end of February to be considered to participate in research projects.  

Housing 

Accommodations and meals will be arranged and provided to students by Turtle Trax and CREMA, covering three basic meals each day and basic accommodations for the experience.   

Accommodations will be in shared-style layouts, may include bunk beds as the primary setup. These accommodations will be assigned by the host organization and may be co-ed. 

Experience Cost 

For Volunteer: 

Experience cost is estimated around $7,000 CAD that includes: 

• Airfare, to and from Costa Rica 

• Travel Insurance 

• Travel Immunizations 

• Transportation Assistance Package from Turtle Trax (Airport Drop-off/Pick-up in Costa Rica and transport to project site) 

• Meals and Accommodation 

• Patrol Supplies  

• First-aid lesson 

• Spanish lessons 

For Research Assistant: 

Experience cost is estimated around $3,000 CAD that includes all the above listed under volunteers except Meals and Accommodation as this is covered by the host organization (CREMA) during your time working as a research assistant. 

Application Timeline (Tentative)

2025 Application Opens: January 7th, 2025 

2025 Application Closes: January 22nd, 2025  

Invite for Interview:  January 29th, 2025 

Interview Period: January 30th – February 4th, 2025 

Applicant Selection and Notification: February 5th, 2025 

“Apply Now” 

Contact Us 

Questions? Email RDP Abroad. 

Make a world of difference with an opportunity to develop your skills abroad by supporting communities and organizations on the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia.  

Through collaboration with local partners, students will develop general health promotion and educational material for local communities that meet localized individual needs.  

This abroad experience is scheduled to be two weeks in May, exact date may vary year to year. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Students must have completed the Practical Nurse Program including the final practicum.

• Students must be successful and in good academic standing with the program.

Course Information for Practical Nurse Abroad 2024

This abroad experience will count towards part of PN 271 Health Promotion IV Course. 

Students will complete PN 271 in the winter term however, students will receive an "incomplete" until they complete PN 271 in St. Lucia and return back.

Course credit is determined by program requirements and required completion of all necessary deliverables. Please contact the School of Health and Wellness if you have any questions about course credit. 

Travel and Accommodations 

Flights, accommodations and meals will be pre-arranged for this experience. As this is a faculty-led group study tour, all students will stay at the same hotel and travel together during the time in St. Lucia. 

Funding Opportunities  

This project is funded by Global Skills Opportunity, the Government of Canada’s Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program aiming to cover the majority of necessary expenses for students to participate in a study abroad experience. 

Experience Cost 

The GSO grant will cover the majority of the cost and up to 100% if available.  

Cost is estimated at $5000- $6000 CAD per participant that includes:

• Airfare 

• Travel Insurance 

• Accommodations and Meals 

• Transportation to and from the airport at the destination 

• Local ground transport at the destination for experience-related activities 

Application 

Application for Practical Nurse Abroad is currently closed 

Contact Us 

Email RDP Abroad. 

Global Skills Opportunity Fund 

Global Skills Opportunity is a national outbound student mobility program that is expected to enable more than 16,000 Canadian college and undergraduate-level university students from across the country to acquire the global skills employers want and the Canadian economy needs. A key component of the Government of Canada’s International Education Strategy, Global Skills Opportunity is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and is administered jointly by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada.  

While open to all Canadian post-secondary students, the national program targets groups for whom international experiences have traditionally been less accessible — specifically Indigenous students, students from low-income backgrounds and those with disabilities. It also aims to diversify destination countries where Canadian students pursue international learning. 

Students interested in participating in RDP Abroad’s Global Skills Opportunity Experiences can apply for GSO funding.  

For eligibility and GSO funding questions, email RDP Abroad or visit us in person at the Gathering Place (Room 1009, Main Campus). Click here for information on other funding opportunities, including awards and Alberta Student Aid.

Courses successfully completed through ISEP Summer Abroad will be awarded open elective credits or students can request that their ISEP program credit be directly transferred to an equivalent course of their program. These direct transfers can be assessed on a case-by-case basis. A fee of $ 150 CAD will be charged to transfer the course(s) back to RDP. 

For open electives to be considered as part of their program, students must meet with the Student Connect Centre, before applying with ISEP, to ensure there is room for open elective(s) in their program.

For direct transfer, a letter of permission (LOP) is required for students to take the course at an institution abroad. The LOP costs $40 CAD. Students with or without any open electives in their program are eligible to apply for ISEP programs. 

Please note: 

• All program prices are listed in USD. 
• Flights are not included in the program cost. 

• Find out the availability of open electives remaining in your program by contacting the Student Connect Centre. 
• If you are considering course equivalency transfer instead of open electives, book an advising appointment in Step 3 to discuss with our RDP Abroad advisor. 
• Students choosing course equivalency transfer are required to have a letter of permission (LOP) to complete the chosen courses abroad. Please plan ahead and allow at least 2 months for the course assessment to be done prior to travel. 
• Find out more about ISEP's Scholarship opportunities here! 

Book an appointment with the RDP Abroad Office to discuss program options, eligibility, course equivalency transfer, scholarships, and any questions you may have.

Create an ISEP account and request to start an application. 

Be aware of Application Deadlines. (ISEP Summer Deadlines are typically published during the Fall). 

Gather application documents such as passport and transcript to apply. 

Complete and submit your application no later than the Application Deadlines and pay the application fee. The RDP Abroad Office will review and approve your application before the application is submitted to ISEP. 

Placement occurs 1-2 weeks after the published deadlines. If you wish to be accepted sooner, submit the application by the priority deadline. 

Course Selection: 

Once students are placed, you will have approximately 1 week to submit your course list to ISEP. This should include a few courses that the student would be interested in taking. 

Official course selection varies depending on program/institution. Students will officially register for classes either during the pre-departure period after they've been confirmed by the host coordinator, or once they arrive to their program.  

Acceptance Package: 

After submitting the course list, students will receive the acceptance package in their ISEP portal once the host coordinator confirmed. Students will need to sign the package and pay the program deposit. 

Review everything you need to know before you depart via ISEP's Before You Go Abroad page. 

Students are highly recommended to join the workshops ISEP offers including Visa workshops and other Know Before You Go sessions. 

Contact the host coordinator for any questions you have including arrival to the institution. Some institutions offer pre-departure orientation that provide important information. 

Stay in contact with our RDP Abroad Office during your travel! 

Questions? Email RDP Abroad