Over 90 per cent of Niagara College students who participated in recent Be World Ready (BWR) International Field Study (IFS) trips reported that the recently launched BWR Course deepened their reflections about their experience.
Offered since last fall, the course (SOCL 1128 or IDPL 9103) was created to foster students’ intercultural competencies, global leadership, and global employment skills, representing a significant evolution of the BWR program. Completing the course is mandatory for all students interested in partaking in a BWR IFS trip.
The BWR Course was developed by the School of English Language, School of Academic & Liberal Studies professors, and Maxine Semple, Associate Director of Cultural and Global Engagement, in collaboration with the Center for Academic Excellence. The modules include BWR Competencies, Intercultural Learning, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), Community Engagement, Indigenous Perspectives, Reflective Learning, Career Development, and Global Leadership.
During debrief sessions with 48 students who had completed the course, 90 per cent also noted that their time with the BWR program helped define their college experience. The students also highlighted some qualities they have unlocked and developed, such as patience, a positive attitude, empathy, confidence, adaptability, resilience, independence, teamwork, and enhanced perspective.
Business program student Benjamin Mann took the BWR Course and participated in the Portugal – Sun, Sea & History trip last winter break, from February 24 to March 3. Mann is grateful for the experience he gained from industry experts at the Institute of Communication and Media of Lisbon and the MedTech in Portugal.
“The course provided a great preparational experience towards travelling abroad and understanding the values behind this trip experience by highlighting, for example, the Eight BWR Competencies,” said Mann. “The main competency that stood out to me on the trip was Respect and Value Diversity. The Intercultural Awareness module was also special as we learned how to respect the cultures we would engage with on the trip and understand their values.”
Skills development
The participants also reported an increased understanding of intercultural communication, intercultural awareness, indigenous perspectives, community engagement, UNSDGs, career development, global leadership, and reflective learning.
Recreation Therapy program student Xia-Jolie Wiseman joined the Costa Rica – Blue Zone Wellness trip during the winter 2024 break.
“The BWR Course provided us with a range of knowledge and skills needed not only for travel but for life,” said Wiseman. “For example, during the UNSDGs module of the course, we gained insight into Costa Rica’s priorities and values, which gave us a mindset to carry when interacting with the people and the land. During the trip, I felt prepared and competent to connect with locals, respect their values for nature, and truly immerse myself in their culture.”
Bachelor of Business Administration–International Commerce and Global Development program student Andrei Melnikov, who travelled to Portugal, reported that the Reflective Learning module was particularly relevant to this life-changing experience.
“All the modules helped me broaden my perspectives and ideas and become more confident and resilient both professionally and personally,” said Melnikov, who is originally from Russia. “After working on assignments such as the Reflective Journal and the final presentation, I feel ready for any opportunity that comes in my way.”
Electrical Engineering Technician program student Gurshanpreet Singh, who joined the BWR IFS trip to Costa Rica, believes the BWR Course enhanced the students’ ability to analyze the world through both global and local lenses.
“This experience reinforced my belief in pursuing my dreams, focusing on continuous growth,” said Singh, who is originally from India. “After this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of international matters, the flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances, and the discernment to make wise decisions.
The transformative experiences provided by the BWR IFS trips are funded in part by Global Skills Opportunity, the Government of Canada’s Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program.
For more information about BWR, visit: www.beworldready.ca/
