International Certificate Program (ICP)
The International Certificate Program (ICP) is a post-graduation certificate demonstrating that you have met the criteria for international proficiency or experience as determined by Vancouver Island University.
The ICP includes an addendum to a your transcript and awards a graduation certificate. The program is not intended to increase your workload, but rather to encourage you to document your international experiences and provide you with an opportunity to structure and detail your academic and co-curricular pursuits.
Benefits of the ICP
It's difficult to predict where you will live, work, study or travel during your lifetime, but one thing is certain - political, environmental, social and economic issues have become global concerns. There is a growing need in education, government and industry for individuals with intercultural experience, fluency in a second language and the skills required to manage change.
By enriching your education internationally, you will:
- become more culturally aware and better able to interact with people from a variety of different cultures;
- have the opportunity to organize your academic program and co-curricular pursuits around a focused theme;
-
bolster your resume with an official certificate that
recognizes your commitment to international, cross-cultural understanding.
Program Description
The ICP offers the possibility to achieve one of the following non-credit certificates:
- International Proficiency Certificate - participants must complete an international experience of 12 weeks abroad, specific course and language requirements, co-curricular activities and a final project.
- International Awareness Certificate - participants in programs with little academic flexibility will find this certificate has less rigorous abroad and academic requirements.
(for the purposes of these certificates, "international" does not include the USA)
Eligibility
You must be registered in a diploma or degree program at Vancouver Island University..
You must complete the requirements of the certificate program within one year of graduating from a VIU diploma or degree program.
You may only apply for, and receive, one of the two ICP certificates.
Getting Started
Pick up the application package from the reception desk in the Centre for International Education (255). While there, make an appointment to see Audrey Hansen, the Manager of Education Abroad.
Meet with Audrey to review the details of the program and go over your questions. Bring the completed application form to this meeting.
Meet with your advisor and plan your future classes.
After this, you simply participate in the activities, take the classes, go abroad and provide the appropriate documentation!