The transformative power of international cooperative education experiences

 

Alexandra Lishchyna (Bachelor of Business Administration – Human Resources ‘23) stepped out of her comfort zone when she accepted a six-month co-op position in Australia.  

 

As a Talent Acquisition Coordinator at engineering consultancy company Hatch, Lishchyna had the unique opportunity to immerse herself in Australian culture, enriching both her professional journey and personal development.  

 

Moving overseas bolstered Lishchyna’s perseverance and independence, and deepened her curiosity about the world of business. Beyond the practical skills required for her role, she also  learned about local traditions, such as celebrating achievements with morning tea in the office and acknowledging the traditional owners of the land at meetings. 

 

Reflecting on her six months abroad, Lishchyna credits her international co-op work experience and her time at Sheridan for helping her become more open-minded and ready to navigate any future challenges.  

 

“My biggest takeaway from my program was learning to be adaptable,” said Lishchyna. “Sheridan fosters a very diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and can thrive. This prompted my ability to collaborate and work with different personality types.” 

 

When asked about the advice she had for future co-op students, Lishchyna recommends choosing a country you're passionate about and letting the adventure transform you. “Your co-op could be more than a work term; it could be the journey of a lifetime.” 

 

Lishchyna's journey is a powerful testament to the impact of Sheridan’s work in facilitating and supporting these life-changing opportunities. As Sheridan continues to develop and enhance its co-op program, Lishchyna's experience is a reminder of the transformative potential of work-integrated learning experiences and the importance of our role in enabling them. 

Sheridan’s Career-Integrated Learning offers several services including cooperative education, career services, work-integrated and experiential learning, and community employment services to support students, alumni, and the community. 

 

As a proud member of Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada, Sheridan’s Career-Integrated Learning team celebrated National Co-op and Work-Integrated Learning Month throughout the month of March.