• If you have not already done so, register for a regular full-time course load at uOttawa for the academic year as if you were going to be here in September or January. You can start registering for your classes as of the first day to enrol according to your year and level of study. To find out as of what date you can register, please consult Important academic dates and deadlines. 
• Cancel your course registration in writing once you receive your letter of acceptance from the host institution.
• Please fill out and sign the “MODIFICATION / CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION” form:
  • Undergraduate Studies (PDF)
  • Graduate Studies (PDF)
  • Example of a duly completed form for a one term exchange (PDF)
  • Example of a duly completed form for a two term exchange (PDF)
• Change your regular full-time course registration to the TRANSFER OF UNITS code: TRF 1000 for both undergraduate and graduate students. Talk to your academic advisor if you have any questions.

Completed forms may be sent by fax or scanned and emailed to the faculty/academic unit.

• Faculty of Arts  - Fax: 613-562-5973
• Faculty of Social Science - Fax: 613-562-5311
• Faculty of Law – Common Law Section - Fax: 613-562-5124
• Faculty of Law – Droit civil - Fax: 613-562-5121
• Faculty of Science - Fax: 613-562-5274
• Faculty of Engineering  - Fax: 613-562-5187
• Faculty of Health Sciences - Fax: 613-562-5149
• Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies – Fax: 613-562-5992

Participants are registered at the University of Ottawa; they maintain their full-time status and continue to pay fees to the University of Ottawa, not the host institution.

Participants must budget for a number of expenses including the following:

• accommodation and living expenses abroad
• travel expenses (return airfare and transportation within host institution)
• passport and visa costs
• medical insurance
• school supplies and books
• administrative fee charged by the host institution
• any other incidental costs

Students are responsible for all living expenses during the exchange.

Download example of a budget for one and two terms (PDF)

SCHOLARSHIPS, FINANCIAL AID & BURSARIES

• Student Mobility Scholarship
• International Office Staff Bursary
• Financial Aid
• University of Ottawa Scholarship Program
• Financial Aid and Awards Office - International Scholarships
• Embassy Scholarships
• Country-specific scholarships

STUDENT MOBILITY SCHOLARSHIP

The University of Ottawa, namely the Student Mobility Fund and the faculties, offer mobility scholarships to all students selected to take part in an exchange program through the International Office.

Students who take part in an international exchange receive a scholarship of $500 for a summer program*, $1,000 for one term (Fall or Winter) or $2,000 for two terms (Fall and Winter) abroad. Students who take part in an exchange within Canada receive a scholarship of $500 for one term (Fall or Winter) or $1,000 for two terms (Fall and Winter). 

For students in the Faculty of Law (Common Law), the amounts are as follows:

• $500 for one term (Fall or Winter) 
• $1,000 for two terms (Fall and Winter) 

The mobility scholarship will be deposited in the students’ uOttawa account at the beginning of August (for students leaving for a full academic year or for the Fall term only) or at the beginning of December (for students leaving for the Winter term ). N.B. If you cancel your participation in the exchange, you must reimburse the scholarship either entirely or partially within 30 days.

*Some exclusions apply

STAFF SCHOLARSHIP

The International Office’s personnel holds student mobility to heart and want to reward student ambassadors from the University of Ottawa. The International Office’s staff members therefore offer a number of scholarships worth $500 each to the winners of the Video Challenge for international exchange students.

To be considered for the award, a student must :

• Meet the general eligibility criteria for the exchange program. 
• Submit your complete application for the exchange program.
  • Note: Students participating in the following programs are not eligible:
    • Killam Fellowship Program
    • CLIC
• Submit a video in French or English to the International Office with a total length of a maximum of one minute on the following topics:

1. Why would I be the best ambassador for the University of Ottawa abroad?
2. What ideas do I have to represent and promote the University of Ottawa abroad?

Candidates will be evaluated and selected based on the following three criteria:

• Originality
• Language quality
• Dynamism

You may submit your video entry by sending the link to a shared document (ex. Google drive) or a video sharing platform (ex. YouTube, Vimeo) to outgoing@uOttawa.ca. Please be sure to include your full name and student number in the email, and use the subject Staff Scholarship Application. The deadline to submit a video is April 17th, 2020. Recipients of these awards will be announced at the beginning of May. 

FINANCIAL AID

Students eligible for financial aid continue to receive it during the exchange period.   Please clearly indicate your intention of taking part in an exchange program on the financial aid form. 

The amount of financial aid is calculated according to the Canadian cost of living rather than that of the host country. The number of weeks however is adjusted according to the host institution’s university calendar. To find out more about financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office. It is your responsibility to ensure that all financial aid matters are resolved prior to your departure.  

• You must apply for financial aid before June 16  (approx.) in order to receive the funding on time;

Financial Aid and Awards Service
Desmarais Hall
55 Laurier Avenue East, Room 3156 
Telephone: 613-562-5800 ext. 4396
Fax: 613-562-5155
Contact the Financial Aid and Awards Service by email

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

In general, if you are eligible for a renewable scholarship offered through the University of Ottawa Scholarship Program before going on an exchange, you will be eligible to receive it during your exchange. Since the cumulative grade point average remains the same during the exchange, you should be able to maintain the scholarship upon returning to the University of Ottawa. To ensure your eligibility, contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office.

FINANCIAL AID AND AWARDS OFFICE - INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Visit the Financial Aid and Awards Office website to search the database of scholarships available to students travelling abroad.

EMBASSY SCHOLARSHIPS

We strongly suggest that you visit diplomatic missions located in Ottawa early in the fall. In addition to providing useful information, diplomatic missions also have valuable information on several scholarships offered to Canadians wishing to study in their country. Deadlines for submitting an application are often in early January and February. Therefore, it is important to visit the missions during the fall term.

Other scholarship opportunities

“I hate this place. When is the next flight to Ottawa?”

The tourist’s glamour may not be the resident’s reality. It is common for people to suffer from some form of culture shock after arriving in a foreign setting. This normal reaction to a new environment occurs while you are outside of your comfort zone. When adapting to a foreign culture, you could experience a range of emotions from euphoria and yearning for home.  Culture shock is a term used to describe what people experience when they are overwhelmed by unfamiliar surroundings and conditions, resulting in a sense of isolation.

Download our helpful brochure on culture shock for more information

Some students returning from exchange programs have experienced worse culture shock on their return to Canada than on their arrival abroad. Why? The experience of living abroad will change you – although you may not even notice the changes. Part of the pre-departure session will include how to prepare for your return to Canada and strategies to adopt while abroad and back home to ensure a successful reintegration into your life in Canada.

As a participant in the Buddy Program, you will be paired with an exchange student who will study at the University of Ottawa for either one term or for a full academic year. Becoming a buddy is an excellent opportunity to meet people from other cultures and to improve linguistic capabilities. The Buddy Program can also be a good way of helping with reverse culture shock as it allows you to share your experience with other students who are facing the challenges and joys of a new environment.

With your help, the exchange student will adapt more easily to new cultural surroundings. On a voluntary basis, you could meet the exchange student upon his or her arrival at the Ottawa airport, train or bus station and accompany him or her to his or her place of residence. You could also help the exchange student with the necessary administrative steps and introduce him or her to other Canadians. It is entirely up to you to determine the extent of your involvement with the exchange student.

The application form will be available in July.

Deadline:

• Fall semester: July 31st
• Winter semester: December 15th