Global Learning & Intercultural Support

Now Open: Killam Fellowships Program 2026-27

Study abroad for a semester in the United States!

The Killam Fellowships program is an exceptional opportunity for full-time Canadian undergraduate students to pursue an exchange program at American universities. Applicants chosen through a competitive selection process are awarded a US$6000 scholarship (approx. CAD$8400) for their exchange study in the US. For information, see the website here.

Eligibility

To be considered for a Killam Fellowship to study in the United States, students must meet the following requirements at the time of application. The student must be:

  • a citizen of Canada,

  • a currently enrolled full-time undergraduate student in good standing

  • expected to be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in good standing during the entire 2025-2026 academic year, should they be selected for an award,

  • expected to receive an undergraduate degree in the Spring of 2027 or beyond,

  • able to meet the eligibility requirements and regulations of the home university,

  • proficient in English,

  • in possession of a strong academic record, and

  • able to complete all steps of the application process prior to the published deadlines.

 

Application

Interested students should submit the following documents by email to the Global Learning Office (Miyuki.arai@smu.ca) by December 5 2025:

  1. Proof of Canadian citizenship (e.g., a passport scan)

  2. Curriculum Vitae (up to 3 pages, 12-point font, 1" margins)

  3. Unofficial academic record (i.e., a pdf printout from banner). Also submit unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary education institutions you’ve attended outside of SMU, if any.

  4. Personal Statement (1 page, single spaced, 12-point font, 1" margins) – In your statement,
    · Provide a narrative statement explaining why you want to study in the United States as a Killam Fellow.

    · Discuss what you hope to accomplish during your exchange in the United States and how the experience fits your current interests and future goals.

    · Highlight any experiences demonstrating your ability to adapt to other cultural settings, a willingness to share with or learn from others of different national identities, and your ability to serve as an ambassador for Canada.

    · Provide a unique statement.

  5. Abroad term, expected graduation date, references and host school preferences – in a Word document, please provide:

a) Preferred abroad term, e.g., Fall term 2026, Winter term 2027, One academic year (Be aware that preference will be given to students requesting a single-term placement)

b) Month and year of completion of your current degree program

c) Name and email of 2 people who have agreed to provide an academic or a professional reference (at least one of them should be academic, e.g., a SMU professor)

d) Information about your top 3 selection of host institutions:

1) 1st pick of an American university partner (see list here) and a preliminary list of 5-6 courses you are interested in taking (see the partner website)

2) 2nd pick of an American university partner (see list here) and a preliminary list of 5-6 courses you are interested in taking (see the partner website)

3) 3rd pick of an American university partner (see list here) and a preliminary list of 5-6 courses you are interested in taking (see the partner website)

 What happens after December 5, 2025:

The Global Learning Office will contact applicants who are receiving SMU’s nomination and will ask them to submit a complete Killam Fellowship application online by December 15, 2025. Guidance and instructions will be provided.

Number of students to be nominated by SMU for Direct Exchange:

Up to 3 full-year candidates (or 6 one-semester candidates)

In March 2025, selected candidates will be determined by an independent adjudication committee comprised of faculty members from participating universities and senior officials from the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America (“Fulbright Canada”). The committee will rank all candidates based on their proposed program of study, their personal statement, their record of academic achievement, and their letters of reference.

In April 2026, selected candidates will be notified of the result (and the matching of the selected candidates with host institutions).

Credits and tuition

Academic credits may be earned to the extent that they are applicable to your SMU degree. Book an advising appointment with your academic advisor to review which of the remaining program requirements may be completed on a transfer-credit basis and how the Letter of Permission Request Form works for the transfer of credits. You will pay SMU tuition at SMU for the transfer credit hours.

Please note:

  • The selection is highly competitive. Not all applications will be selected. Even if your application is chosen, you may not be given a placement at one of the preferred schools.

  • Your exchange study at an American partner is only possible when chosen as a Killam Fellow.

 

Questions?

Contact the Global Learning Office at Miyuki.arai@smu.ca.

Global Affairs Canada visits to discuss travel safety

Robin Librach (left), Katie Burgess (centre) and Jonathan Shaw (right)  

The Office of Global Learning welcomed a delegation from Global Affairs Canada on August 28 to discuss shared efforts aimed at enhancing travel safety for Saint Mary’s students, staff, and faculty. The presentation highlighted the wealth of information available on travel.gc.ca, including the newly revised Safe Travel Planner, and how these resources can be used to help plan for safe travel abroad.

Katie Burgess and Robin Librach, who are part of Global Affairs’ Consular and Emergency Communications team, were welcomed by Jonathan Shaw, Education Developer – Global Transitions, and Miyuki Arai, Director of Global Learning Services. Discussion focused on recent updates to the website, which now includes up-to-date information for over 230 destinations around the world. Katie and Robin described the work of a dedicated team at the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa who monitor events around the world to provide information for Canadian citizens and permanent residents using the Registration of Canadians Abroad service for emergency notifications and consular assistance.

The Global Learning Office will continue collaborating with the Global Affairs team to raise awareness about their services so that Saint Mary’s community has the latest information for planning a safe international journey.

Study Abroad Photo Contest

Do you have any great pictures from your study abroad experiences? Submit your entries to Global Learning & Intercultural Support’s 12th annual study abroad photo contest.

SMU class visit to The Gambia uncovers little-known chapter of Canadian war history

What started out as a geography lesson is also turning into a fascinating Canadian war history exploration for a class of 11 students and two faculty members at Saint Mary’s University.

Celebrate International Education with The Studio: Oct 29 - Nov 2

International Education Week showcases the significant contribution that international education makes in the global world, and supports our efforts to engage internationally.

Saint Mary’s a Top Intercultural Destination for "Aspiring Citizens of the World"

We are delighted that for the seventh year in a row, international students from Beijing Normal University Zhuhai have enrolled in our Summer Institute, Cross-Cultural Communication – North American Studies, as their choice for a summer study abroad program.

Study Abroad Photo Contest

The Global Learning and Intercultural Support Office presents the 11th Annual Study Abroad Photo Contest.

All entries are collected from former and current participants in all forms of international learning activities, and a selection of fourteen photos will be featured in our 2018 Study Abroad Photo Calendar.

We hope you will enjoy seeing all the places Saint Mary’s students have travelled around the world.