College of the North Atlantic (CNA) is providing students with transformative global experiences through its Outbound Student Mobility program. This Global Skills Opportunity is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada through the Government of Canada. This initiative gives students opportunities to study and work abroad, equipping them with valuable skills and insights that are increasingly essential in today’s interconnected world.
Building Global Competence
The Outbound Student Mobility program at CNA has already seen several successful projects, with more on the horizon. Recent projects included:
- Kenya (May 2023): Executive Office Management students partnered with Kabete National Polytechnic to enhance employability skills.
- Jamaica (May 2023): Civil Engineering students collaborated with Moneague College on establishing water testing initiatives.
- Malaysia (July 2023): Indigenous students collaborated with the Kelabit community on the island of Borneo, focusing on Indigenous cultural and economic stability.
- Kenya (November 2023) TV and Film students had the experience of being the film crewworking with CNA’s Marketing and Global Office to document and showcase the College’s work in Kenya.
- Germany (February 2024) TV and Film students had the opportunity to attend Berlin Film Festival to experience first-hand the international culture of the industry.
- Guatemala (February 2024) Respiratory Therapy Student participated in a Team Broken Earth medical mission performing various surgeries including clef lip/palate.
- Iceland (March 2024): Textile and Apparel Design students participated in a workshop/residency at the Icelandic Textile Centre.
- Amsterdam (March 2024): Art and Design students engaged ina transformative experience, providing them with a deeper understanding of art history, exposure to diverse artistic expressions, and inspiration for their own creative journeys.
- Barbados (April 2024) Tourism and Hospitality students were able to benefit from collaboration and networking with industry leading experts.
“These projects are crucial for developing cultural awareness, building global networks, and increasing employability,” said Todd Hayden, International Business Development Coordinator at CNA. “Students gain professional, social, and intercultural skills that are highly valued in the workplace.”
A Changed Perspective
The impact of these experiences is best expressed by the participants themselves. Reflecting on the Kenya project, instructor Kelly Taylor Hulan emphasized the importance of understanding student challenges.
“It is humbling to see students with far fewer resources, from places of poverty, who follow a similar curriculum to reach similar outcomes,” Taylor Hulan said. “We need to be mindful of the stressors we put on our students.”
In Jamaica, Civil Engineering instructor Jamie Brake highlighted the practical learning students gained. “This project was one of the best learning experiences,” he explained.
“The students applied their three years of accumulated work in the Civil Program to a real-life problem, troubleshooting on-site issues that would never occur in the classroom.”
Expanding Global Reach
CNA’s commitment to global learning not only benefits students but also strengthens the college’s global reputation.
“When we equip our faculty, staff, and students with a global experience, we prepare them for a diverse and changing population,” said Taylor Hulan.
“This global perspective is highly regarded in the workplace.” Brake added, “These projects open doors for CNA globally, showing that we can be a valuable partner and asset to other educational institutions.”
GSO Ambassador Holly Doyle
In addition to the Outbound Student Mobility program, Holly Doyle, a CNA alumnus, has been selected as an ambassador for the Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) program. As one of 15 GSO Ambassadors, Doyle will represent the more than 12,000 Canadian post-secondary students who have gained global skills through GSO-funded international experiences.
Ambassadors like Doyle will share their stories, highlight the benefits of global learning on social media, and support the GSO program in various ways. Most recently, Doyle was invited to attend the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) conference in Ottawa from Nov. 3-6, 2024. She will join nine other ambassadors and share her experience at the exhibition booth and engage with sessions and attendees related to GSO, as well as more broadly. The ambassadors also hope to meet with members of Parliament.
Looking Forward
As CNA continues to develop and expand its Outbound Student Mobility program, the college encourages students and faculty interested in participating to signal their interest as currently there is still funding available for project proposals up until March 2025.
“We want both students and faculty to know that this pilot program offers incredible opportunities,” Hayden said. “Those interested can apply through the Study Abroad Student Application on MyCNA or contact us directly.”
These initiatives underline CNA’s dedication to preparing students for the global stage, ensuring they graduate with not just a diploma but also a broader understanding of the world and their place in it.
