College of the Rockies Business Management student completing semester in Andorra

A semester spent abroad can deepen a student's understanding of an increasingly interconnected world

College of the Rockies Business Management student, Andrew Crozier, will take part in a unique educational opportunity through a College of the Rockies' semester exchange program with the University of Andorra. — Photo courtesy College of the Rockies

College of the Rockies Business Management student Andrew Crozier is embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, completing a semester of his program in the European Principality of Andorra, situated between France and Spain.

An agreement recently signed between College of the Rockies and the University of Andorra allows for students to complete a semester of classes at the University and then transfer those credits back to their College of the Rockies business program.

“The world is increasingly interconnected. In order to excel in their business careers, students want to be culturally competent and globally aware,” said Darrell Bethune, Dean of Business and University Studies. “There is no better way to expand a student’s understanding of the world than to allow them to get out and experience it. Semester abroad opportunities like this one do just that.”

A Cranbrook native, Crozier is very excited for the chance to experience Andorra, a small nation which lies high in the Pyrenees Mountains.

“I’d never heard of Andorra before and knew nothing about it,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to go, so I can explore the unknown and get the type of experience that staying in Cranbrook won’t get me.”

The semester abroad opportunity is part of College of the Rockies’ strategy to provide a balanced approach to international education.

“Our domestic students benefit from sharing their classrooms with students from other countries,” added Bethune. “But providing students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture for a semester adds another dimension. We can help arrange a semester abroad that is completely transferable to the College, which means students can complete their studies on schedule, as planned.”

Through the agreement, participating students pay domestic tuition and fees at College of the Rockies rates while gaining an intercultural experience in Andorra. A $2,500 College International Learning Travel Award also helps to cover travel and living costs.

Crozier also received an Irving K. Barber International Travel Award for $3,500. The Irving K. Barber One World Scholarship is awarded to students participating in study or work-abroad programs that are either experiential learning opportunities or that provide credit toward their B.C. academic credential.

“I am very excited and can’t wait to see what this opportunity brings,” Crozier added. “I’m looking forward to living in Europe where everywhere I’ve wanted to go is a short distance away.”

Crozier will depart for Andorra on January 9th and returns to Cranbrook mid-July.

Learn more about international opportunities available through College of the Rockies at: cotr.ca/opportunities

About College of the Rockies

For more than 40 years, College of the Rockies has provided post-secondary education that meets the needs and aspirations of the people, industry and businesses of our region. Each year, we welcome more than 2,300 full-time equivalent students into a full range of programs, including: skilled trades, university studies, adult upgrading, early childhood education, health and human services, business, office administration, tourism, hospitality, recreation, fire services, continuing education and contract training. Through smaller class sizes, highly-personalized instruction and dedicated support services, our students are primed to succeed in the job market, or in the next stage of their academic journey.