Students can travel in the right direction with exchange trip to Canada

University of Northampton students have the chance to win a trip to a Canadian university to increase their future employability by working on social innovation projects.

Called the ‘SocialxChange’, the programme sees universities who are part of the AshokaU* network linking up in June 2018 for a summer exchange programme taking place firstly in Northampton and secondly at Ryerson University in Toronto (now renamed Toronto Metropolitan University).

The aim of the exchange is to let eight students who have an idea for a social enterprise project, or just an interest in doing good things in the wider world, travel to a university overseas and learn from experts about how to get their ideas off the ground.

During the exchange (20th June – 1st July), Northampton students will work through a series of modules at Ryerson University to develop ideas to challenge social issues in both countries.

These include how to best deal with inequality members of a community can face and how to better work with them to make sure they are represented in any projects to tackle this.

Students will then receive mentorship from experts in social innovation to develop and action their idea or project.

The exchange will include visits to social enterprises and non-profit organizations to meet leaders about social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Students will benefit from the trip by developing practical skills that are applicable locally and globally, in a world increasingly focused on identifying social and environmental problems and developing solutions for them.

After successfully completing the program, students will earn a Changemaker Certificate and get recognition from University of Northampton in their extra-curricular record to help with future employability.

Abi Wicks, Social Enterprises Engagement Lead at University of Northampton, said: “We are so excited to welcome students from the University of Ryerson, for our second social innovation exchange. This is a truly inspirational opportunity that provides our students with the tools to gain skills in tackling real world problems through multi-disciplinary teams, as well as the opportunity to experience life in Toronto.

“Ryseron is a leading University in Canada with a focus on action and experience and we have ensured that the programme for the SocialxChange has an abundance of both.  This is an opportunity to build life-long collaborations from across the globe working together with one goal in mind, to make the world a better place to live for all.”

*The University of Northampton was recognised for its commitment to social innovation and entrepreneurship in 2013 by being designated a ‘Changemaker Campus’ by Ashoka U. The global association of the world’s leading universities supporting social entrepreneurs – and was the first in the UK to be awarded this honour.

This is University of Northampton’s second SocialxChange, following the success of the pilot exchange with the University of Warsaw in September 2017.

Students who want to take part need to complete the application form by 15th April.