Learning that Explores

Katie Orr, Director of NSCC International, helps take NSCC global.

Ever spin the globe and randomly plant your finger on it? Chances are, wherever your finger lands, Katie Orr, Director of NSCC International has been there.

Katie knows that bridging the distance of geography and culture is essential to the kind of knowledge exchange that will keep Nova Scotia at the leading edge of the global economy.

"Student mobility programs are just one of the ways NSCC International reaches out to the world," says Katie. "There are also fantastic teaching and learning opportunities for NSCC faculty and staff, not to mention tremendous potential to export NSCC innovation and training through global partnerships."

This year, learning and work experiences through NSCC International took NSCC students, faculty and staff to Costa Rica, Tanzania, Scotland, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belize.

Charles Currie (Screen Arts) seen here in Tanzania. (photo credit: Candace Hoskin, Photography student)

Nadine Gantner seen here in Belize. (photo credit: China O'Brien, Photography student)

To document these experiences, NSCC International turned to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The resulting partnership through the Public Engagement Fund project made it possible for several students in NSCC's School of Applied Arts and New Media to participate in these once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities while developing their own portfolios.

Charles Currie, a Screen Arts student, accompanied Health and Human Services students from NSCC's Cumberland Campus to Tanzania where they delivered a self-esteem program they developed for local children affected by HIV/AIDS.

"This was an experience I was proud to document. It was life-changing for many of the students and I felt privileged to record it," says Charles.

When Nadine Gantner travelled to Belize with her Ecotourism class from NSCC's Akerley Campus, she could not have known her education, passion for horses and love of the outdoors would converge into one incredible opportunity. But that's exactly what happened.

Nadine's class visited the Cotton Tree Lodge where she learned they wanted to establish an eco-friendly horse excursion program. Nadine immediately sent them a work-term proposal when she returned home.

"I was thrilled when I heard back from the owner that I was accepted to work at the lodge," says Nadine. "This is a rare chance for work experience that is totally relevant to my career dreams."

The Score:

NSCC has successfully delivered customized training to clients from Angola, Malaysia, Mexico, Romania, Russia, The Gambia and Uzbekistan.