Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet the criteria to apply to the exchange program and must ensure they are fully aware of and able to meet the time commitments, financial commitment and academic expectations prior to applying. Below you will find information about what you need to know about the Outbound Exchange process.
You must be a full-time credit MRU student in order to be considered for an exchange.
After you have attended a study abroad info session, you will receive the next steps on how to proceed with transfer equivalencies.
All exchange participants are required to attend a mandatory "Know Before You Go" Pre-Departure Orientation facilitated by International Education. This orientation is approximately 3 hours in length and covers a variety of important topics including, but not limited to:
- Risk & Responsibility Abroad;
- Emergency Response Plans;
- Travel Logistics;
- Travel Health & Wellness;
- Cross-Cultural Communication and Adaptation;
- Knowledge of the Host Culture;
- Administrative Logistics; and
- Return to Canada.
Attendance at the Pre-Departure Orientation is a mandatory requirement in order for a participant to be formally approved for international travel through MRU. Any participant who fails to attend will be deemed ineligible to participate in the exchange program and will be considered removed from the program.
Pre-Departure Orientation session dates will be set and provided well in advance to allow participants to make the necessary arrangements to be in attendance.
A specific Course Registration Number (CRN) will be created for each of the course(s) offered as part of the exchange. The CRN(s) will not be published or made available publicly. Once the student has completed the Transfer Credit process, a request will be made to add sections of INTL 1199 to the student's account. Participants will not self-enroll in the course(s).
Once course registration is complete, it is each participant's responsibility to review their student account and confirm their enrollment in the appropriate course(s) and pay all resultant MRU Tuition and Fees for the course(s) by the appropriate tuition deadline.
Any course changes need to be communicated to Transfer Credit, Registration and International Education.
Following the exchange, participants are responsible for reviewing their student accounts and ensuring that credits earned are showing.
Out of Country Travel Health and Medical Insurance
It is mandatory for participants to obtain and maintain adequate Out of Country Travel Health and Medical Insurance coverage for the entire period they are abroad on an MRU-sponsored initiative or program. The coverage purchased by each individual participant must meet the minimum coverage required by MRU as well as meeting the participant's own specific needs, as outlined in the "Confirmation of Out of Country Travel Health and Medical Insurance" waiver and release form.Participants must confirm their adequate insurance by signing and returning the confirmation form a minimum of two weeks prior to departure.
Students can purchase travel health insurance from any insurance provider as long as the plan covers the following items:
- 100% of Hospital, physician/surgeon and x-ray/lab charges
- 100% of Ambulance charges including air evacuation to home
- 100% of Prescription Drug Charges, to a maximum of 30 days coverage
- 100% of Emergency and Accidental Dental Injury Charges
- Repatriation of deceased charges of at least $10,000
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
Participants must purchase adequate trip cancellation and interruption insurance to cover any costs that may be incurred with their travel arrangements or program participation should the program be cancelled/interrupted or should the participant be unable to travel or need to return home early for reasons covered under their policy.Personal Belonging Insurance
It is strongly encouraged that participants purchase adequate travel insurance to cover any belongings that they will be taking with them on their travels.
Expected Costs for a Semester Abroad
$7,000 - 9,000- Europe
- Central and South America
- Asia
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Meals
- Flights
- Tuition
- Accommodation
- Administration Fee
Mandatory Exchange Fee
- $150 Exchange Program Administration Fee
Available Funding
Check out our funding webpage for more information on awards.
Student Loans
Outbound exchange students are eligible for students loans, please contact the Student Awards & Financial Aid Office
Passport
All participants will require a valid passport for international travel and it is recommended that it be valid for at least 6 months past your expected date of return from your international destination(s). Each country has specific entry/exit requirements including how long your passport must be valid. To confirm these entry/exit details for Canadian passport holders for your intended country of travel please visit the Government of Canada webpage.Visa
Whether or not an exchange participant will require a travel/entry visa will depend on the country of destination as well as the participant's country of citizenship. Where possible, guidance and information on the visa application process will be given by the International Education Coordinator however legally they cannot formally advise on visas. It is ultimately each participant's responsibility to apply for and obtain the necessary visa in advance of travel, if required.Additional Required Travel Documents
Some countries have additional requirements in order to gain entry to the country. This may include proof of vaccinations (i.e. Yellow Fever), proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your time in that country, proof of purchase of a return air ticket, etc. Participants are ultimately responsible for ensuring they have all necessary documentation and meet all necessary requirements to enter a given country. Participants can familiarize themselves in advance with these requirements at the Government of Canada website or by visiting the website of the given country's Embassy or Consulate.
Note: Any participant who plans to travel before or after their exchange semester is responsible for ensuring that the necessary entry/exit documents for all countries being visited are in place.
Clothes
- Casual, everyday items
- Exercise clothing
- One nice outfit for formal occasions
- Sweaters
Backpack/Day pack
- School supplies can be purchased abroad
Electronics
- Camera
- Music playing device
- Computer
- Cell phone
- Chargers
- Adaptors
Toiletries
- Medicine & prescriptions
Important documents
- Travel itinerary
- Passport
- Study permit/visa
- MRU acceptance letter
- host institution acceptance letter
- photocopies of other important identification
There may be changes to your intended courses when you arrive at the partner institution due to courses being full, rescheduled, time conflicts, or cancellations. You will need to select alternate courses. It is recommended that you have additional approved courses in advance in case this happens. The Transfer Credit unit may be able to assist with some additional course recommendations if you run into this situation.
Registration for future terms at MRU is still available on your assigned Registration Access Date. Your advisor can assist you in preparing for this before you leave or by email while you are away. It is important to discuss any pre-requisite requirements as well as course availability for your remaining semesters at MRU. Note the time zone difference for your Registration Access Date.
While you are attending the institution, order and pay for a final, official transcript to be sent to MRU directly from the issuing institution once your grades are posted. You can normally order these in advance and request that they do not issue the transcript until your final grades are posted. Note the expected timeline for the transcript to be sent to MRU and obtain the name of a contact person to follow-up if the transcript does not arrive as expected.
Ensure you have copies of all of your course outlines as it is usually easier to obtain these on-site. You will need these when you return if any courses still require evaluation or for future reference if you subsequently attend another post-secondary institution. Retain these permanently.