Global Experiences
Source: https://schulich.ucalgary.ca/current-students/undergraduate/student-life/global-experiences Parent: https://schulich.ucalgary.ca/
Expand your horizons
We're excited to support the Global Engineering Experiences initiative - highly subsidized by the Schulich School of Engineering and its supporters. Students can travel abroad over reading week on trips exploring engineering, industries, services and history in other parts of the globe.
Winter 2026 Trips
Timelines for all trips
- Sept. 25: Applications open
- Oct. 09: Applications close
- End of October: Selected students notified
- November (TBC): Students complete Risk Management documentation and waivers, registration, and make deposits.
*Deadlines for subsequent deposits will be determined by the Educational Travel Provider. Students will be notified of this timeline after acceptance.
- End of November: Notifications to students who were not selected for programs.
- Feb. 14:All trips in field!
- Feb. 21-22: All trips return to Calgary!
Please note that the Trip to the UK has non-standard dates and will run from Feb. 14 - 22, 2026; and the Trip to Java will run from Feb. 13-22, 2026.
Students will receive updates on other deadlines for program-related requirements. They may include D2L module completion, pre-departure orientation attendance, program-specific registrations, etc.
The United Kingdom Constructionarium 2026
By attending Constructionarium, you will gain real construction experience that you can apply to a future career. Led by the experience staff at Constructionarium, and supported by attending faculty chaperones from the Department of Civil Engineering, you will get to build a 12-metre long, walkable, concrete and steel bridge inspired by the Millau Viaduct – from formwork to concrete pours, you will be able to proudly say “I built that” by the end of the week. See how theory turns into practice and put your skills to work in a safe, purpose-built environment for experiential learning. Following the Constructionarium experience, enjoy a well-earned day of rest and exploration in the City of London where you will see some of the most iconic civil engineering sites in the world, such as the Tower Bridge, the London Eye, the Gherkin, and the Shard.
Please note that the trip to the UK has non-standard dates and will run from Feb. 14 - 22, 2026.
Student contribution: up to $2,000
Java 2026
Global Experience – Java 2026 takes Schulich students to the village of Nongkojajar in the island of Java, Indonesia to work on engineering projects that focus on community development in the village at the foot of Mount Bromo. We will visit and work together with Indonesian engineering professors and students from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in Surabaya. After completing the projects on photovoltaic-powered water pump and milk cow feed manufacture, we will end the trip with spectacular hiking trip to Mount Bromo.
Please note that the trip to Java has non-standard dates and will run from Feb. 13-22, 2026.
Student contribution: up to $2,000
The Netherlands-Clean Energy 2026
This Global Engineering Experience in the Netherlands focuses on Clean Energy, combining industry, education, and experiential visits. Students will tour leading companies to explore clean energy technologies, plant design, and the energy sector’s transition to sustainability. Academic visits at the local Universities will highlight cutting-edge research in renewable energy and sustainable engineering. Visits to The Green Village in Delft and Sustainable Amsterdam Tours (TBD) will further demonstrate how urban design and innovation support clean energy integration. Together, these experiences provide students with a comprehensive perspective on how engineering is advancing global progress toward a more sustainable future.
Student contribution: up to $2,000
The Netherlands Digital Technology 2026
This Global Engineering Experience in the Netherlands focuses on Digital Technology, providing students with a well-rounded perspective on how innovation is shaping the future of engineering and society. The program will include academic exchanges with leading universities, where students can learn about cutting-edge research. Visits to major digital technology companies will give students insight into how global leaders are driving advancements in digital technology and innovation. In addition to academic and industry connections, students will explore cultural and science-based experiences that demonstrate how digital technology intersects with art, medicine (TBD), and everyday life. These elements highlight not only the technical side of engineering but also the human and societal impacts of rapid digital transformation. Together, the trip is designed to equip students with a global perspective on digital technology, bridging the gap between education, industry, and society.
Student contribution: up to $2,000
Costa Rica 2026
This Global Engineering Experience in Costa Rica focuses on hands-on construction, and experiential learning, blending community engagement. Students will apply skills to real-world challenges while collaborating on projects rooted in sustainable development practices. Through this work, students will gain practical knowledge of construction techniques, engage in hands-on building experience in a rural, real-world Costa Rican community. Fieldwork will be complemented by exposure to the region’s exceptional biodiversity and cultural heritage, providing a deeper understanding of how engineering can empower rural communities to achieve resilience, sustainability, and economic opportunity. The full itinerary will be finalized and released prior to the trip
Student contribution: up to $2,000
Germany and France 2026
The program will visit the cities of Munich (Germany) and Paris (France). In Munich, we will visit the site of the 1972 Munich Olympic games and observe the lightweight, tensile structures designed by Professor Frei Otto of the University of Stuttgart. We will also visit the Deutches Museum, originally conceived by Civil Engineer Oskar von Miller that is today the largest science and technology museum in the world. There we will encounter exhibits that include agriculture and food, astronautics, bridges and hydraulic engineering, electronics, energy and motors, health, historic aviation, modern aviation, photography and film, and robotics. Key exhibits include Rudolf Diesel’s first compression-ignition engine, Wernher von Braun’s V-2 rocket, and the Messerschmitt Me 262, the world’s first operational jet fighter and fighter-bomber that was used by the Luftwaffe. Finally, we will visit both the BMW Museum and BMW’s manufacturing facilities. While at the BMW museum we will gain insight into where the company envisions the automotive industry to be going in the next decade, including designs of both electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. After visiting the BMW Museum, we will visit the BMW manufacturing plant where we will observe the processes of material transformation and manufacturing that enable this company to remain a global leader in automotive design and manufacturing.
In Paris, we will visit the Musée des Arts et Métiers on the campus of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM) where we will explore the development of scientific instruments, materials, energy, mechanics, construction, communication, and transportation, all from the French perspective. Key exhibits include the laboratory of Antoine Lavoisier, the French chemist who (in 1789) used precise measurements to prove that mass was conserved during a chemical reaction, and the first ever steam-powered car that was designed and built (in 1769) by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot and used by the French Army to haul cannons. We will also visit the Pompidou Centre, Les Halles, the Louvre, and the Musée des Egouts de Paris (Sewers of Paris) to observe segments of the operating municipal sewer system
Student contribution: up to $2,000
Selection process
What is the selection process?
- Once the application period closes, applications will be reviewed to check for eligibility.
- Written answers will be reviewed to ensure applicants understand the commitment to the program, intend to contribute positively to the group experience, and will represent the University of Calgary and the Schulich School of Engineering well.
- Eligible students will be entered into a lottery for each departmental trip.
- Students will be selected and notified.
- A waitlist for each department trip will be created based on the remaining qualified applicants in their respective department lottery pool. Should there be a vacancy, further students may be selected from the lottery.
Please note: If a minimum standard of 30% of participants on each program drawn from the lottery are not female, the lottery will be redrawn. If there is a case where 30% cannot be achieved for a program based on the number of female applicants, we will aim for 30% across all programs as the minimum standard.
As participants are expected to share rooms, students will also be selected though the lottery system in pairs with consideration of their gender to ensure we have appropriate accommodations.
Eligibility criteria
What is the eligibility criteria?
Students in second year or above may apply if they:
- Are a Schulich student in good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or higher)
- Have not participated in a previous year
- Are eligible to travel to the program destination
- Agree to participate fully in the program itinerary
- Are prepared to submit their travel documents upon acceptance to the program (i.e.: copies of passports, visas, etc.)
Students with a disciplinary probation record are not eligible for the Global Experience program. Additionally, selected students must maintain 'Good Conduct Standing’.
If there are any questions or concerns about eligibility, please email globalengineering@uclagary.ca.
Cancellation policy
What is the cancellation policy?
The student assumes all financial risk and responsibility for their trip payment should they cancel, as payment will not be refunded. Students may purchase their own trip cancellation insurance if they wish.
Student expectations
What can I expect as a student?
- You can expect to:
- Travel and participate in a planned itinerary as a group
- Share a room, assigned by the Schulich School of Engineering
- Make on-time payments
- Have a valid passport, medical/health insurance, vaccinations, visa, etc.
- Participate in pre-departure online education and mandatory trip meetings
- Students are expected to cover additional expenses (managed directly by program participants):
- Meals (some will be provided, depending on program)
- Additional baggage fees (if required)
- Travel documents (if required)
- Passport and photos (If required)
- Immunizations based on recommendations from travel clinic, cost varies depending on individual circumstances and destination countries
- Travel insurance (emergency response is included)
Students pay for approximately 50% of the trip cost with the remaining 50% paid by the Schulich School of Engineering.
Global experience programs are not eligible for SSAF funding as they are already heavily subsidized.
Please read the Student Participation Agreement and the Schulich School of Engineering Guidelines for Student Trip Room Arrangements for exact details.
Accommodations
Rooming Arrangements
- Rooming arrangements will be made aligning with the Schulich School of Engineering Guidelines for Student Trip Room Arrangementsand in consideration of maintaining a student accessible budget for the programs.
- Students can expect to have shared rooms with separate beds, assigned by the Schulich School of Engineering.
- Most programs will have 2 students per room. However, some programs may use accommodations (such as hostels) with more students per room.
- Rooming assignments will be made with the default expectation of same-gender rooms.
- Once accepted to programs, students may choose individually whether they would like to opt-in to gender-inclusive rooming where their roommates may be students of all genders and gender identities
- In some instances, Gender Inclusive Rooming will be contingent on accommodation options available abroad, which can vary from country to country.
Please note:
- Students who select the Gender Inclusive Rooming option must be open to living with a person of any gender.
- Global Experience programs strive to create an inclusive community where students can feel comfortable disclosing their sexual orientation with who they choose.
- Matching of roommates is done by the Schulich School of Engineering and relevant program admin and chaperones will be advised of your selection to support accommodation bookings.
- If you have chosen Gender Inclusive Rooming, you may still be roomed in a same-gender arrangement, based on the selections of your group and country you travel to. If mixed-gender rooming is a needs-based accommodation, or you would simply like to initiate a conversation with one of our staff regarding your gender-specific rooming needs, please connect with us at globalengineering@ucalgary.ca.
- Global Experience programs are a safe and welcoming community for all students. Should you feel at any point, regardless of same-sex or mixed-gender rooming, that you would like to discuss your rooming situation, please connect with your chaperones while in field as a first point of contact, and/or our team at globalengineering@ucalgary.ca.
- All students must comply with the UCalgary Code of Conduct while participating on our programs.
Other requirements
Know before you go
- All participants must adhere to all entry and exit requirements (i.e.: vaccinations, visas, etc.) as required for the destinations visited on these programs. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.
- If you are selected for a global experience trip and do attend, you will not be eligible for future global experience trips.
- “Eligible to travel”, as seen above, means you currently have valid visas (if required) and a passport which is valid six months past the return date of the trip. It is the student's responsibility to be certain they are eligible to travel to the destination country before they apply, accept an offer, or pay any deposits towards this program. If you have a non-Canadian passport we recommend you verify your travel requirements in advance of completing this application.
- Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of their preferred mode of mobility. Students selected to go on these programs should be prepared to navigate the cities being visited by walking or public transit between activities. If there are any questions or concerns about this, please email globalengineering@ucalgary.ca.
Important Notice
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of (or different level of access to) resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular Global Experience program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. The office at globalengineering@ucalgary.ca will be happy to assist in arranging any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to globalengineering@ucalgary.ca to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Past global experiences
During Winter 2023, a total of 104 students, consisting of 97 undergraduate and 7 graduate students, took part in The Global Engineering Experience across six distinct locations, namely Denver, Europe, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, and Silicon Valley.
Chemical Engineering in the Netherlands
This experience focused on the Chemical and Energy Industry, reaction and catalysis engineering, food and drink industry, high tech industry and renewable energy resources.
The History of Energy
This trip was designed to provide students with knowledge of the historical evolution of energy systems, including visits to some of the most famous science museums in the world.
Civil Engineering in Tokyo
As the world’s most populous metropolis with deep historical ties, Tokyo is a leader in modern architecture, public transportation, and natural disaster response mechanisms.
This trip reminded me that engineering goes beyond academics and inspired me to explore new industries—highly recommended for fresh perspectives and lasting friendships.
Esther
Global Experiences Student Participant
Learn about Esther's Global Experience. Read more
Photos from 2025 Global Experiences
Students attended several Global Experiences during Reading Week 2025.
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