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Short International Programs

Short International Programs

Application Deadline: Feb 26, 2023

Short International Programs (SIPs) are two to four-week opportunities where students can learn a new language or take an intensive academic course at one of Centennial’s partner institutions around the world. These programs are offered to students from all academic disciplines.

Questions? For more information, click on the cards to view the program brochures and also see the Frequently Asked Questions below.

sunny Students taking summer classes at Centennial can only apply to these SIPs. Learn more below.

What opportunities are available?

Centennial works with partner institutions abroad to offer a wide range of short summer courses to meet the needs and goals of our diverse student population. These opportunities are assessed for academic potential as well as safety and risk to ensure that all Centennial students have access to intensive academic, language and/or cultural programming. Each summer brings a different list of programs so be sure to check the SIP page.

There are so many options! How do I get started?

With so many opportunities, it is important that you understand your motivations for going abroad and research the options carefully. Some factors you might consider are:

  • Which language am I interested in learning?
  • Which culture am I interested in exploring?
  • Are there any courses that are related to my field of study?
  • What are the dates that work best for me? Think about your family commitments (weddings), academic commitments (classes, exams), and work commitments.
  • Am I comfortable living in the location of this program, e.g. small town versus big city, independent apartment versus shared homestay?
The best destination may not always be the most obvious choice, so be sure to consider all options and consult partner institution websites before identifying your preferred SIP.

I’m taking summer classes. Can I still apply for a SIP?

Yes! If you are taking classes in the summer, we encourage you to apply for one of our SIPs taking place during Engagement Week (June 24-30) or at the end of August following the exam period. It is not permissible to miss any classes due to participation in a SIP as it is considered an optional travel program.

Look for the sunny icon on the cards above to find SIPs that won’t interfere with your summer academic program at Centennial.

Preference for SIPs that occur during the regular summer semester (May 9 - August 18) will be given to students who are not enrolled in summer classes. During the selection process, our team will factor in summer enrolment status into our decisions.

Am I eligible to apply?

To be considered for a SIP, you must:

  • Be a registered Centennial student at the time of the SIP, or be enrolled in the semester immediately following the SIP. In other words, you cannot be graduating before August 30, 2023. If you have the summer off, but will return to school in the Fall, you are eligible to apply.
  • Maintain a solid academic performance (minimum GPA of 3.0); first-semester students are still encouraged to apply and may be granted conditional acceptance based on their grades in April.
  • Be able to obtain the necessary travel visa/vaccination documentation prior to departure. This includes a valid passport, valid study permit, Canadian visa/eTA, destination visa, and/or COVID-19 vaccination proof (as applicable).
  • Be able to attend all pre-departure meetings offered by the Global Experience department.
  • Be able to attend all in-country classes and activities.
  • Have no behavioural or Security-related files.
  • Have no outstanding fees on student accounts.

How much does this all cost?

The Global Experience department is pleased to provide funding in the form of a bursary to offset approximately 70% of the costs of the program. The amount of funding varies depending on the destination and duration of the SIP. The details are outlined on each program brochure under the “Program Costs” tab. We have done our best to outline as many costs as possible to give you an idea of how much you would need to budget for yourself.

What are the dates I need to keep in mind?

Please take note of the important dates listed below:

  • Application deadline: Sunday, February 26, 2023 @ 11:59 pm
  • SIP information sessions: mid-March, 2023 (exact dates TBD)
  • Final participant list released: Friday, March 31, 2023
  • General pre-departure orientation: First week of April, 2023 (exact dates TBD)
  • SIP-specific pre-departure orientation: One month prior to departure (exact dates TBD)

How do I apply?

Click on the cards at the top of this page to read more details about each SIP.

  1. Click on the “Apply Now” button on each program page.
  2. You will be asked to log in using your myCentennial login credentials.
  3. Once you have done this, you will need to submit your application to each SIP. As part of your application, you will be required to submit a letter of interest and provide some basic information about yourself. For detailed instructions, please consult the “How to Apply” tab within the online program brochure for each SIP.

Can I apply to more than one SIP?

Yes, you can apply to a maximum of 3 SIPs. Only your top 3 choices will be considered. Once you have submitted all your applications, be sure to rank the applications in order of your preference from your SaGE homepage. We will do our best to accommodate your preference, however we cannot guarantee acceptance to your first choice. It is important to rank your preferences so the selection committee has all the information required when making decisions.

While you can certainly apply for multiple SIPs, you cannot travel on multiple SIPs.

What happens once I submit my application?

After the deadline, we will screen through all applications received. Applicants are first screened to ensure they meet the minimum qualifications and that they have submitted a complete application package by the deadline. Then application packages are reviewed and those shortlisted will be invited to a SIP information session with the selection committee.

Since there is limited funding and limited spots on each SIP, we will not be able to invite all applicants to a SIP information session. Those that are invited will be notified about a week after the deadline and provided further instructions.

How can I increase my chances of being selected?

We receive a high volume of applications for many of our programs; therefore, the selection process is quite competitive. Here are a few tips to set yourself apart:

  • Be sure to read instructions very carefully and ensure you are submitting all components of the application package. You must see checkmarks on all components of each SIP you apply to. We do not consider incomplete applications or late applications.
  • Ensure you are answering all of the questions outlined in the “How to Apply” tab. Tell us why this program would be beneficial for you. This is more than just a vacation!
  • Take the time to edit your SIP Application Video. This is our first impression of you – make sure it’s a good one!

I am an international student. What travel documents do I need?

If your study permit is expiring before this program, you must start the process of renewal immediately. This is because a valid study permit and Canadian visa/eTA are required in order to apply for a destination visa (if required).

Having a valid study permit and Canadian visa/eTA will help to prevent unnecessary delays or restrictions on your ability to travel and participate in these SIPs.

Additionally, your passport must have at least 6 months remaining validity left from the end date of your desired SIP. If your passport is expiring soon, we advise that you contact your relevant Consulate or Embassy to start the process of renewing your passport.

I am a domestic student. What travel documents do I need?

You will require a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity left from the end date of your desired SIP. If your passport is expiring soon, we advise that you contact Passport Canada or your relevant Consulate or Embassy to look into the processing time and documents needed. You may consider starting the process of renewing your passport immediately.

If you are in possession of a Canadian Travel Document or are in the process of applying for refugee status, please keep in mind different countries may have special visa processes that will apply to you.

I have a different question. Whom should I contact?

If you can't find the answer to your question on this page or within the online program brochures, you can send us an email at 360@centennialcollege.ca.