Western Staff International Exchange Program

Note: Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation and to protect the health, safety and wellness of the university community, and with continuing changes in operations at our international partner institutions, Western has cancelled future university-sanctioned international travel until further notice.

At this time, we are not accepting applications. 

Program Overview

The Western Staff International Exchange Program (WSIEP) is an innovative program that supports international professional development opportunities for full-time Western staff. WSIEP offers participants the opportunity to broaden their professional perspectives through global job-shadowing experiences at participating host institutions. 

During this one-to-three week international experience, WSIEP participants will develop and share professional skills with employees of the host institution. Participants are encouraged, but not required to, select departments within host institutions that either offer the opportunity to develop their current skill set in their current field/job-function or to develop new skills in a different but related field/job-function.

Deadline: TBD

Quick Facts about WSIEP at Western

#1: WHAT

The WSIEP allows full-time Western staff to participate in a one to three week international experience at one of Western’s partner institutions outside of Canada. This staff exchange experience represents an opportunity for participants to develop and share their own professional skill set in a related or similar role/position at an academic institution in another country.

#2: HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

WSIEP participants are eligible to have their participation in the program funded by Western. All fundable proposals are subject to availability and it is expected that only a limited number of proposals will be funded each year. Each approved WSIEP participant will be supported to a maximum of $5,000 to help with costs for economy air travel, required ground transportation, accommodation, meal per diems, and immigration/visa costs.

  • Personal funding or additional financial support may be required.
  • Participants may seek additional funding through the application of professional development funds, external sources, and/or through financial support from the participants’ department or faculty.
  • No funds are available to support a replacement salary to “back fill” the candidate’s position in his/her absence. This should be made clear to the supervisor when seeking approval.

#3: WHEN

Staff exchange experiences are between one and three weeks in length. The length of the experience depends on the participant’s time availability (agreed upon between the participant and their supervisor) and on the host institution’s availability.

#4: WHERE

Participants will travel to one of Western’s partner institutions outside of Canada. View our list of partner institutions.

During the application process the host institution will be selected by both the WSIEP sub-committee and the participant in cooperation with one another. As such, participants are encouraged to list up to three preferred destinations.

#5: BEFORE & AFTER WSIEP

It is mandatory for selected candidates to participate in pre-departure training and comply with safety away protocols as outlined by Western.

When participants return there is a requirement to participate in an exit survey covering what was done to present Western at the host institution. WSIEP asks that participants provide their email address for inquiries by future program applicants. WSIEP would like to feature participant experiences in promotional material and request that participants speak at future information sessions. 

#6: DEADLINE TO APPLY

March 31st each year

WSIEP Candidates and Travel Locations

2014/5

Catherine Dorais-Plesko (PMA-funded) – The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, and Victoria University, Australia – February 2015

Dan Pepper - The University of Western Australia – March 2015

Melanie Caldwell – Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands  – April 2015               

Paula Cameron (PMA-funded) – The University of St. Andrews, UK – May 2015

2015/6  

Zhongshun Yuan (PMA-funded) - Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany – July 2015

Anne-Marie Elizabeth Fischer - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya - October 2015

Ingrid Johnston (PMA-funded) – University of Otago, New Zealand - February 2016

Sasha Jokic - Umea University, Sweden – March 2016

Joanna Asuncion (PMA-funded) – National University of Singapore, Singapore – May 2016

2016/7  

Alexander El Warrak (PMA-funded) – Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland and training in Goettingen, Germany – November 2016

Beverley Ayeni (PMA-funded) – King’s College London, UK - May 2017

Baolai Ge – University of Stuttgart, Germany - March 2017

Kathy Xu – National University of Singapore, Singapore - April 2017

2017/8

Elan Paulson (PMA-funded)
Keith Marnoch
Carolyn Paterson

How do I apply for WSIEP?

Western University’s Staff Working Group on International Engagement (SIE) will accept applications from candidates once annually. Short-listed applicants will be offered an interview.

Candidates should demonstrate:

  • how the WSIEP experience will enhance the professional performance of the candidate
  • how it will benefit Western’s internationalization efforts through innovations or enhanced levels of service and/or programming; and
  • how it will strengthen the university’s partnership with an international institution

Application & Travel Timelines

For travel between:

Submit application by:

May 1, 2020 – April 30, 2021

March 31, 2020 (application available below)

Need more information?

APPLY NOW

To begin the application & proposal process, please submit your proposal electronically by clicking on "Apply Now" above to the Chair, SIE WSIEP Sub-Committee. Please ensure you email your resume and evidence of supervisor authorization to sie.wsiep@uwo.ca.

Applications will be reviewed by the WSIEP team and selected candidates will be invited to determine their compatibility with the program.