Outgoing International and Exchange Students

To be eligible to participate in our exchange/study abroad program a student must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a Nipissing University student
• Have completed a minimum of 30 credits successfully with Nipissing University
• Be in good standing with the university, both academically and financially
• Have a minimum overall GPA of 70%
• Maintain a minimum 70% overall average and remain in good standing prior to departure

It is best to begin preparation to go abroad during the first year of your program at Nipissing. The early you prepare the easier it will seem. Starting early gives you the opportunity to properly organize you courses and financials to prepare for your journey abroad.

It is very important for you to meet with an academic advisor prior to submitting an application to develop an academic plan. You can book an appointment by emailing advising@nipissingu.ca

As a requirement to go on exchange, you must have completed a minimum of 30 NU credits. Due to this requirement, students cannot go on exchange until their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year.

We recommend for students to aim to study abroad during their 3rd year, but some students can study during their 2nd or 4th year, although this may result in changes to your academic plan. Students considering to go on exchange during their 4th year will be considered on a case-by-case basis. It is important that you discuss your plan with your Academic Advisor.

If you have questions about the program selection, please contact us at internationaladvising@nipissingu.ca.

We invite to read past testimonials from NU students who have enjoyed an outgoing exchange program.

You can attend one of the Education Abroad Information Sessions (you will be notified via your NU email) or come into our office for more information. We are located Room F205.

Cost is dependent on where you choose to study. Certain countries have higher cost of living, while others can be fairly low. After browsing through some of the available options, you should research on the different locations that interest you.

While students participating in the Exchange Program pay their standard full-time tuition to Nipissing University, there are many other expenses that should be considered and budgeted for when preparing for exchange.

Expenses you will want to consider when preparing your budget include:

• Additional fees required by your host institution (e.g. health insurance; residence fees; etc.)
• Passport/visa application fees
• Cost of travel (e.g. return airfare)
• Insurance (e.g. travel and health insurance)
• Cost of living (e.g. rent, groceries, cell phone, etc.)
• Tourist and social activities

Application Deadline

October 1st to November 31st

Click here to apply »

Identify and rank up to three (3) preferred institutions on the application and the term(s) you wish to apply for (Fall, Winter, or Full Year). Make note of approximate semester start and end dates at your preferred institutions.

We strongly recommend that you consider all three of your choices carefully. While the International department makes every reasonable effort to place accepted students at their preferred partner institution, due to the competitive nature of the Exchange Program we cannot make guarantees. Identifying three preferred partners helps the Exchange Team place you at a partner that is a good fit for your interests and goals.

Exchange Partner Institutions and Programs »

As part of the online application in Myinternational Database, you will need to identify and provide the contact information for one (1) academic reference and for one (1) personal reference:

• Academic Reference
  • To be completed by a Nipissing University Faculty member who has previously or is currently instructing you.
• Personal Reference
  • To be completed by a doctor, coach, academic, employer, etc...but may not be completed by a family member.

Please be advised that supporting documents may be required at the application processing time such as motivation letter, passport copy, etc.

Congratulations on your upcoming exchange! Studying on exchange is enriching, and often is a life-transforming experience where learning extends beyond the classroom walls.

In order to prepare you for your upcoming journey, make sure you review the checklist on the MyInternational Database, where you completed your application, as this will provide you with a detailed list of tasks that must be completed or acknowledged prior to departure.

Please note that it is important that you track and meet all responsibilities and deadlines outlined into myinternational portal.

Failing to meet pre-departure requirements may result in your removal from the Exchange Program. Your host institution will also provide you with information about your upcoming exchange that may include important pre-arrival instructions.

If your plans change at any time and you decide that you no longer wish to study abroad, you must notify the Nipissing International of your withdrawal as soon as possible by contacting internationalmobility@nipissingu.ca.

Please continue to check your Nipissing email address regularly as you prepare for exchange to ensure you do not miss any correspondence from your Host Institution or from the Nipissing International Team.

The dates will be shared with the selected students in advance by March.

All students approved for an exchange will be required to participate in a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation Session. Failure to participate in this event could result in your disqualification from the exchange program.

Liability Waiver

All outgoing exchange students are required to review and sign the Liability Waiver. This waiver must be witnessed by a Nipissing staff member. These forms will be distributed, signed, and witnessed at the mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation Session.

Proof of Insurance

All outgoing exchange students are required to order their Insurance with Guard.me.

The policy must be uploaded as part of your checklist on mynipissing Database portal no later than August 31 for fall term exchanges and full-year exchanges or November 30 for winter term exchanges.

Read about the Consular Affairs Canada Travel Advisories, which are updated regularly.

Certificate of Arrival at the Host Institution

All outgoing exchange students must have the Certificate of Arrival completed and signed by the exchange coordinator at their host institution within 2 weeks of their arrival. The completed form must be sent to internationalmobility@nipissingu.ca.

Certificate of Departure from the Host Institution

All outgoing exchange students must have the Certificate of Departure completed and signed by the exchange coordinator at their host institution prior to their departure at the end of their study term.

• Scotiabank International Exchange Award Scholarship
• Jack and Mary Ann Jones International Exchange Awards
• International scholarship opportunities for Canadians
• International scholarship opportunities for non-Canadians
• Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Obtain your Passport and Apply for Student Visa

Make sure your current passport is valid (or apply for a passport well in advance of your anticipated departure date if you do not have one already). The expiry date on your passport must be at least 6 months beyond your expected date of return. Canadian passport applications are handled by Service Canada.

In some cases, a student visa is required to study in the country of your host institution. After you receive a copy of your Letter of Acceptance from your host institution, you can apply for a student visa from the Embassy or High Commission of your country of destination.  Contact the appropriate Embassy or High Commission to find out what documentation is required in order to apply for your student visa.

Tuition Fees

Make arrangements to pay your Nipissing University tuition and other fees for your term(s) abroad.  You are required to pay full-time tuition to Nipissing University while you are on an exchange (and must take the equivalent of a full-time course load at the host institution).

Finances

Visit the Finance office for information on your government student loan, Nipissing renewable scholarship, and/or Nipissing bursaries for your exchange.

We also recommend that you arrange for someone (e.g. Power of Attorney, if required) to take care of your finances while you are abroad. Contact the Finance Office for more details on this process.

Provincial Health Insurance

Notify OHIP (or your provincial health insurance program) if you are out of province for more than 212 days (or approx. 6 months). If your provincial health insurance program requires a letter of support to maintain your coverage while you are abroad, please email internationalmobility@nipissingu.ca.

It is important that Nipissing students who are abroad on international programs, such as exchange, remember to check their NU email regularly in order to stay connected to the Nipissing campus. We also recommend that you photocopy all important documents and leave the copies at home with someone you trust. Ensure that you have adequate travel insurance including, health insurance, trip cancellation insurance, property insurance, etc.

Useful Resources

• Travel warnings and country travel reports, including health and safety information from the Government of Canada
• Country facts and cultural information on the countries of the world from Global Affairs Canada
• Health Canada travel health information and advisories
• Global Affairs Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA)
• Canadian Offices Abroad (including embassies, high commissions and consulates)
• CBC
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service news and shortwave radio listings

We will only communicate with you via your NU email account so please make sure to continue to monitor it while you are abroad. You may also consider forwarding your NU-mail address to a frequently used email account so that you don’t miss out on any important/urgent information.

The exchange coordinator at the host institution is your main point of contact for any questions while on exchange. You are welcome to reach out to us at any time at internationalmobility@nipissingu.ca with your questions or concerns, or to share updates.

• Register as a Canadian Abroad: An additional resource we recommend is to register with the Government of Canada as a Canadian Abroad. By doing so, this will allow the government to notify you directly of any changes in the coronavirus situation in China (or other emergencies). For more information on the Registration of Canadians Abroad program, and to register please visit the ROCA website.
• Contact the local Canadian Embassy/Consulate* (*Canadian citizens). If the emergency occurs out of office hours and you need consular assistance you should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada 24-Hour Emergency Duty Officer at +1 (613) 996-8885. Collect calls will be accepted.
• Speak to the contact person at your host institution.
• Contact Nipissing’s Campus Safety Office to receive assistance and report the incident. Collect calls will be accepted. (If you are unable to make a collect call from your current location dial the Canada Direct access number for your location to be connected with a Canadian operator.)

Remember, in the case of an emergency situation such as an earthquake etc. try and contact your family members at home as soon as possible and let them know that you are safe. We also ask that you contact your International Mobility Coordinator to confirm your safety.

Near the end of your exchange period, make arrangements to have an official transcript or certificate of departure sent by your host institution to the International Academic Adviser at Nipissing by email at internationaladvising@nipissingu.ca. If you receive the transcript please make sure to submit a copy to the International Mobility Coordinator at internationalmobility@nipissing.ca.

** We recommend that you request an additional copy for your own records. If you plan on applying to graduate school or other future opportunities, you will want to request an additional copy from your host institution at this time as it may be challenging to acquire copies at a later date.

A Pre-Entry Session is organized for all returning exchange students to give them an opportunity to share your exchange experiences and focus on re-integration.

The session consists of presentations from:

• Career Services: how to leverage your international experience
• Counselling Services: Reverse Culture Shock
• ISMP: 1-2 activities to discuss testimonials

The International Student Mentorship Program (ISMP) is designed to help new international students develop friendships and adjust to their new learning and living environment. Our mentors are Nipissing University students who volunteer their time to help support you. Some mentors may have studied abroad, while others may be interested in going overseas in the future, but all of them have an interest in meeting new people and learning about different cultures.

Mentors are responsible for organizing trips, social events, and activities for international students during their time at Nipissing. We recommend and encourage all new international students participate in ISMP.

Members of the ISMP team are also available throughout the school year to help answer any questions you may have about your courses, campus procedures, on-campus living, the North Bay community, and much more.

Your home university must have a formal, signed, exchange agreement with Nipissing University.

If you currently study at one of our partner institutions you must first apply through your home institution for exchange. Once accepted, your international office will nominate you to study at Nipissing. We will then follow up with application information.

International Exchange Students - international students who are enrolled in an educational institution abroad and apply to study on exchange at Nipissing University for one semester or one full academic year.

International Degree-Seeking Students - international students who would like to obtain their full degree and graduate from Nipissing University. Degree seeking students typically study for 3-4 years at Nipissing University.

Most exchange students will pay tuition fees to their home institution rather than Nipissing University. However, in certain cases, incoming international exchange student will pay tuition fees at the Canadian domestic rate as noted in the International Student Handbook. If you are a fee-paying exchange this will be noted in your acceptance letter from Nipissing University.

Note: The fees are subject to increase each academic year.

Exchange students – you must first apply through your home institution and once you are accepted and nominated to study at Nipissing we will send you all the application information including deadlines.

Degree students – you must apply via the Online University Application Centre (OUAC). For more information on the application process please visit.

Exchange students – you must meet the requirements to study on exchange from your home institution.

Degree students – Please visit our admissions website via the following links:

• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs

Nipissing University offers three study semesters. However, the majority of classes are offered during the Fall and Winter semesters. Exchange students can study for 1 or 2 semesters during the fall and winter, typically September to April. Degree students can study all year, however most programs start in the Fall semester.

• Fall Semester – September to December
• Winter Semester – January to April
• Spring Semester – May to August

Note: the exact start and end dates, including exam period, vary for each academic year. 

Exchange Students – Exchange students will receive their acceptance information directly from the international office. For students studying for the fall and/or full year, this is typically by end of May previous the academic year of study. For students studying in the winter semester this is typically end of October following the fall semester.

Degree Students – Degree students will receive their acceptance directly from the admissions office.

Exchange Students – As part of your acceptance package you will receive a course pre-registration form and instructions on selecting courses. The international office will provide these to academic advising and they will register you in your courses.

Degree Students – As part of your acceptance package from the admissions office you will receive instructions on selecting and registering for your courses.

If your study period is less than 6 months you do not need a Study Permit.

Visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website to download the Study Permit Guide Book. This publication provides information about how to apply from outside Canada if your study period is more than 6 months: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study.asp

For information on working while you study please visit the CIC website for more information on the requirements: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work.asp

You will receive information by email as well as the International Student Handbook. This information will help you prepare for your journey to Canada and settling upon arrival. Additionally, joining the International Student Mentorship Program (ISMP) is a great way to meet other students and adjust to your new life in Canada.

Exchange Students - Space is reserved in our 4 on-campus residences for exchange students. You can live in any of our residence complexes. For more information please visit our residence website.

Note: Exchange students are not required to pay their residence deposit prior to arrival at Nipissing. Please do not send money before arrival.

Degree Students – In your acceptance package you will be provided with information on applying for residence.

Nipissing University offers off-campus housing support. Please visit our website.

Students are provided with sheets, a pillow and quilt plus a kit containing dishes, cutlery and cooking pots. All utilities and phone service is included. There is no mandatory meal plan for the on-campus residences, but an optional meal plan is available.

Please refer to the International Student Handbook fee chart.

Degree-Seeking Students must secure a Study Permit prior to their arrival in Canada. The process can take up to 45 days and longer in various regions. You will need to submit your “Student Acceptance Information Form, which Nipissing International will send you with your offer of admission, as proof of your acceptance and duration of your study period.

For more information visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca