Exchanges and Immersion

The Work-Study Program is an opportunity to participate in research-based projects and earn a supplemental income while gaining valuable experience connecting with various members of the SFU community.  Because a student’s first commitment is to his/her studies, Work-Study hours are flexible, on campus and supervised.

Work-Study positions are available during the Fall, Spring and Summer terms, beginning with the first day of classes and ending at the end of the Final Exam period for each term.  The value of your Work-Study placement will vary depending on your assessed financial need.  Successful applicants will be awarded Work-Study hours for a term.

Arts and Social Sciences Co-op connects students to a diverse range of job opportunities and employers. Developing practical and professional skills, building a network of contacts and references, and gaining valuable job search and interview tools and experience – that’s the Co-op advantage.

The skills and abilities that Arts and Social Sciences students are known for – from critical thinking and communications, to research and analysis - are highly-regarded by managers and organizations in all sectors. With Co-op, you’ll be exploring career options, earning a competitive income and building your resume before you graduate

A five week intensive language-learning course. Before you send your application it must be signed and stamped by the Student Advisor in the Dept of French. Once your application has been accepted you will need to get a letter of permission (LOP) from SFU's Registrar's Office. Visit www.myexplore.ca for more information.

The Odyssey program is an opportunity to dive deep into another language and culture while sharing your own; travel and explore Canada; earn an income and get bilingual professional experience. Under the supervision of a teacher, you will use games and other activities on a daily basis to motivate students to learn more about English as a second language. You will have the opportunity to share your culture, drawing from your own personal experiences. You will also share the unique linguistic features of your home region through art, music, stories, local expressions, and humour, and make a difference in the lives of young people. By the end, you'll have helped young students to broaden their knowledge of Canada and develop a passion for language learning, all while having fun! Become a role model; join Odyssey!Salary and Hours

As a language assistant, you will work 25 hours per week during normal school hours, Monday to Friday, from the beginning of September through the end of May. You will receive a taxable salary of $18,500 (around $20/hour, or $2,000/month, for 25 hours per week) for the nine months of your work term. You could also receive allowances for two return trips between your home province or territory and your assigned community if you have to move more than 200km away from your home province or territory to work. These allowances are paid regardless of your actual plans (i.e., you will recieve them even if you do not return home for fall/winter holidays). Travel allowances paid at the beginning and the end of the employment period are not taxable. However, travel allowances paid in December and in January are taxable. Travel allowances are fixed amounts. Consult Appendix B in the Odyssey Administrative and Financial Guide. Since you will be receiving a salary, you will be responsible for your living expenses, including housing.

Are you ready to expand your cultural horizons and share your language and culture with French students? The Teaching Assistant Program in France offers you the opportunity to work in France for 7 months, teaching English to French students of all ages. Each year, over  200 Canadian citizens and permanent residents teach in public schools across all regions of metropolitan France and in the overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Réunion.

Gain valuable teaching experience, improve your language skills, and experience French culture first-hand through the Canadian Teaching Assistant Program in France. To apply and for more information, visit the Canada-USA TAPIF online platform: www.tapif.org.

Department contact for the program: Dr. Catherine Black.

​The Legislative Assembly Student Employment Program provides an opportunity for students to gain work experience and learn more about British Columbia's history and legislative process. 

Summer Tour Guides are required to deliver 30 - 45 minute tours in English and one additional language. Applicants must be able to converse clearly in both languages and adapt their tours to meet the needs of our many different visitors (such as school and ESL groups).

In addition to delivering tours, Summer Tour Guides are required to spend a significant amount of time outside welcoming visitors to the Parliament Buildings.

Being a Parliamentary Guide is a unique and rewarding experience. You will:

• Meet interesting people from across the country and around the world
• Practice your second language every day
• Forge new and lasting friendships
• Have memorable professional and social experiences
• Learn about Canada’s Parliament while in Parliament!