¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

Beedie Abroad Network

The Beedie Abroad Network (BAN) provides social and cultural programming, academic mentorship and greater connections to the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Beedie global community. BAN connects current ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Business students with exchange students from ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Beedie's international academic partners and leverages the student experience to promote international opportunities to the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Beedie community.

The program runs during the fall and spring terms. 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 ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Co-Curricular Record and supports students in building communication, marketing and event-planning skills.

Become a member

The application period for BAN happens twice a year and when open, can be found on your portal. Email studyabroad_bsb@sfu.ca to learn how to get involved.  

Eligibility

• You must be a current ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Beedie student
• You must be in at least your third term at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
• You must be available to complete a minimum of 10-15 volunteer hours

Training

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. 

Inbound mentorship responsibilities

BAN Inbound Mentors play an invaluable part in building community for incoming exchange students and support them to experience everything ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV 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. Volunteers are connected with incoming exchange students up to two weeks before the semester starts to provide pre-arrival guidance. Mentors must attend a minimum of two inbound welcome activities, such as the Welcome Social, on campus events or off campus activities. Most activities wrap up six weeks into the semester.  
 

Outbound mentorship responsibilities

BAN Outbound Mentors support the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Beedie community in sharing their study abroad story and preparing students for their international learning opportunities. Volunteers participate in an online platform where students learning about the study abroad program can connect to ask individualized questions. Outbound Mentors must attend a minimum of two study abroad events, such as the Study Abroad Social, tabling, and other OIP-organized opportunities. 

Suite of Study Abroad reward recipients

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. Students completing a two-term exchange will be expected to participate in BAN the first term back at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV. 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).