The Beedie Abroad Network (BAN) provides social and cultural programming, academic mentorship and greater connections to the SFU Beedie global community. BAN connects current SFU Business students with exchange students from SFU Beedie's international academic partners and leverages the student experience to promote international opportunities to the SFU Beedie community.
The program runs during the fall and spring terms when exchange students are at SFU. While valued, previous international experience is not required. In fact, BAN is an amazing opportunity for students to engage with the global community while staying local.
The Beedie Abroad Network is officially recognized on the SFU Co-Curricular Record and supports students in building communication, marketing and event-planning skills.
The application period for BAN happens twice a year and when open, can be found on your Beedie Community portal. Email studyabroad_bsb@sfu.ca to learn how to get involved.
There are two positions, BAN Leads and BAN Program Managers. BAN Leads are paired 1-1 with incoming exchange students
You must be available to complete a minimum of 10-15 volunteer hours
Once accepted in the program, volunteers are enrolled in a Canvas course that provides an overview of the program structure and volunteer expectations. Approximately one week before the term starts, volunteers attend a 2-hour in-person training session that focuses on developing leadership skills and brainstorming activities for the term.
BAN Members play an invaluable part in building community for exchange students and support them to experience everything SFU Beedie and the Lower Mainland have to offer. BAN Members are partnered with one-three inbound students to build a direct relationship and serve as a point of contact for those students. Participants plan student-led on and off campus group activities such as lunches, study sessions and hikes to support exchange students to transition to SFU Beedie. Each BAN Member plans a minimum of one student-led activity a term and can partner up with other BAN Members to plan larger scale activities if desired. Additionally, BAN Members assist with the OIP events such as Welcome Day. BAN Members who have previously studied abroad have unique volunteer opportunities to mentor prospective Study Abroad students.
As award recipients of the Suite of Study Abroad Awards, students are automatically enrolled in the BAN program in the academic year of their exchange program. The program for award recipients is spread over two terms, promotional requirements are completed on exchange while mentorship hours are completed while at SFU. Students completing a two-term exchange will be expected to participate in BAN the first term back at SFU. Students unavailable to complete mentorship requirements in the same academic year as exchange can complete a waiver form and indicate the term they will complete their requirements (required for students participating in co-op the same academic year as their exchange).
Study Abroad advising
Connect 1:1 with an advisor to plan your study abroad.
