This fall, members of the Niagara College community will continue their journey to becoming World Ready through three Be World Ready (BWR) Global Learning Experiences (GLE)-formerly known as International Field Studies- taking place during the mid-term break week, October 18-25, 2025.
During the BWR GLE, students can use their break weeks to learn and earn course credit outside the walls of their classrooms. Students interested in joining a BWR GLE must complete the Be World Ready Course, aimed to foster intercultural competencies, global leadership and global employment skills of students, preparing them for the experience abroad. As GLE leaders, NC employees support student coordination, logistics, and inquiries while abroad, in addition to being ambassadors for NC, which presents an opportunity for faculty and staff career growth.
Below is an outline of the Fall 2025 BWR GLE and leader insights.
Barcelona, Spain
Designed for students across all Schools of Study, the Barcelona, Spain itinerary combines academic exploration with cultural immersion.
Highlights include exploring how Barcelona is advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) through industry visits, cultural experiences, and hands-on learning that showcase the city’s innovation, sustainability, and social impact.
This GLE will be co-led by Dan Chalmers, Associate Director, Financial Reporting as well as Jennifer Babin, Counsellor, Health, Wellness and Accessibility.
Chalmers noted that while working in Financial Services has been a rewarding experience, it does not often provide the opportunity for direct interaction with students.
“Participating in the Be World Ready Program is a great opportunity to collaborate in a meaningful way with students while broadening my international knowledge base,” said Chalmers. “I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the BWR program that will help when reviewing budgets and financial reports that are tied to the program. I also hope to use this opportunity to learn different perspectives from the diverse backgrounds of the students that are participating. I am excited to be a part of this once in a lifetime experience this group of students is embarking on.”
Babin believes the GLE relates to her work as a counsellor as she works with many international students who struggle with language and cultural barriers, culture shock, homesickness, social isolation, communication difficulties, financial barriers, academic difficulties, and stigma.
“As I experience travelling to Barcelona with students, I may experience some of the struggles our international students face including language barriers and culture shock when they come to Canada,” said Babin. “I hope to learn more how to support students from other cultures/countries better with their mental health. Our NC students have stress from many challenges from living abroad that can negatively impact a student’s mental well-being; my hope is to support these students through these challenges and thrive at NC!”
Alba, Italy
Designed for School of Culinary Arts students, the Alba, Italy itinerary offers a five-day immersive cooking course in partnership with Alba Accademia Alberghiera, where participants will craft dishes of the traditional cuisine from the Piemonte Region.
Set in the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, students will delve into Italy’s rich culinary traditions through interactive lessons, guest lectures from local experts, winery visits, and a truffle hunt during Alba’s world-famous White Truffle Festival.
This GLE will be led by NC faculty Chef Erik Mauke and Chef Oscar Turchi.
“Becoming a GLE leader is an incredible opportunity to give back to the community while gaining real-world experience beyond the classroom,” said Turchi. “I’m excited to discover and learn alongside students as we explore new cultures and traditions. Leading this trip also strengthens my ability to adapt to different educational settings and guide students through meaningful experiential learning.”
Mauke reflected on his passion for continuous growth and bringing new perspectives into the classroom, noting how he believes this experience will help him become a more reflective, engaged, and impactful educator.
“Getting the chance to travel and learn alongside our students is such an incredible opportunity–it’s about more than seeing new places; it’s about sharing experiences, building connections, and learning together in a hands-on way,” said Mauke. “Being able to bring my industry experience into a setting where we’re learning through life, not just in the classroom, is exactly the kind of teaching I strive for. I know this trip will inspire new stories, tools, and insights that I can carry forward into every course and future group of learners.”
Osnabruck, Germany
Designed for School of Business and Management students, the Osnabruck, Germany itinerary empowers students with invaluable insights into international business environments.
This GLE combines classroom sessions, cultural experiences, and hands-on business case studies, giving students the opportunity to develop global commerce skills. They will learn alongside peers from around the world and visiting professors, earning a Business General credit and their General Elective credit.
This GLE will be led by April Tyrrell, Associate Dean, School of Business & Management.
“Leading a GLE is an incredible opportunity to help students broaden their global perspective and apply business concepts in real-world settings,” shared Tyrrell. “I’m especially excited to see their confidence grow as they navigate new experiences in Germany. This experience also enriches my own professional growth by deepening my understanding of international business education and cross-cultural engagement.”
Niagara College’s Be World Ready program
The Be World Ready (BWR) program at Niagara College is designed to prepare students for global success through education, exchange and international experience, including study/work abroad opportunities for all students. The program also offers professional and personal development opportunities for NC faculty and staff. Fostering culturally diverse learning environments, the BWR program enables students, staff and faculty to understand different perspectives and connect practical skills with a global mindset to help students launch their career.
By actively participating in ‘world-ready’ learning activities, participants have the chance to practice new skills and develop the global competencies that will distinguish them as ‘world-ready’ and ‘work-ready’. Students can also use these learning opportunities to earn entries on their co-curricular record, giving them a competitive edge in their job search after graduation.
For more information about BWR, visit: www.beworldready.ca
