What is International Co-op?
NIC students can travel the world and gain valuable work experience as part of their studies. Study abroad options include the Business Administration bachelor and diploma programs with the Université Savoie Mont Blanc in France, as well as the opportunity for business and tourism and hospitality students to work at DisneyWorld through our partnership with the University of California Riverside.
See more information below.
Outgoing exchange
An exchange program is an excellent way to study abroad and immerse yourself in new languages and cultures. NIC offers outgoing exchange opportunities throughout the world, allowing students to study at partner institutions and receive academic credits, all while paying NIC tuition.
Opportunities include Belgium, Chile, Mexico, Norway, Germany, Ireland and more. Contact NIC’s Office of Global Engagement to learn more.
Université Savoie Mont Blanc & NIC Double Degree
Earn a double degree with NIC. Broaden your marketing management expertise, gain international work experience, improve your French and create your international network in sports sales all while paying NIC tuition. NIC’s partnership with Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB) in Annecy in the French Alps allows you to complete an international double degree, including a four-to-six-month co-op work term. The language of instruction is English. In four years, you can earn both USBM’s Diplôme International de Technology de l’Université and your NIC Bachelor of Business Administration. Students who take part in the program will spend their third year studying in France.
DisneyWorld
Earn a Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management or a Certificate in Management from the University of California Riverside (UCR). Combine academic coursework at the beautiful UCR campus with paid, academic training at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.
As an academic exchange student, you will study at the University of California, Riverside campus and participate in field experiences at popular attractions in southern California.
When complete, you will move on to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, where you will have the opportunity to gain paid, work experience. You will graduate from your work term with a certificate from the University of California, Riverside in either Management or Hospitality and Tourism Management.
For more information, contact an NIC employment services advisor at studentemployment@nic.bc.ca.
My co-op experience at Disney was phenomenal. I would go back in a second. I knew that I was going to experience a lot of culture but I didn't know how profoundly it was going to impact me.
Brianna Faucher
Tourism Hospitality Management diploma co-op student
Living at the University of California, Riverside
During the California component of your program, students will stay in the Extension Residence Center on the University of California Riverside campus (double-occupancy). The cost of the residence and breakfast is included in the program fee.
See UCR's Housing site for more information.
Living in Florida
While participating in the Disney International College program, students live in company-sponsored, fully-furnished two-to-four-bedroom apartments near the Walt Disney World Resort. A bus system provides students with transportation to work, classes, shopping and social activities. 24-hour security is provided.
The accommodation charge covers the housing fee, utilities, high-speed Internet, local phone service and transportation. This charge is deducted from participants’ weekly paychecks.
Your Disney International program experience includes paid work experience opportunities. While hourly wages vary according to the position, you can expect to work a maximum of 37.5 hours a week while studying and up to 45 hours a week during non-class times.
You will graduate from your work term with a certificate from the University of California, Riverside in either Management or Hospitality and Tourism Management. The costs to participate in this part of the program is $3,800 USD. This includes:
- Group transportation to and from the LAX airport to the University of California, Riverside
- Residence accommodation and meals at the University of California, Riverside (double-occupancy) for the California portion of the program
- Tuition and fees for credits from the University of California, Riverside including all texts and/or course materials for the UCR courses
- UCR Identification card
- Supervision during the academic training portion of the program
- Ongoing support by UCR staff for the duration of the program
Additional Costs
- $450 non-refundable application fee: payable to UCR when you have been accepted into the program
- $180 non-refundable J-1 Student Visa application (SEVIS) fee, payable to the US Consulate
- $1,215 mandatory medical insurance for the duration of the program
- Flights from Canada to California, California to Florida and Florida to Canada
- Disney International Programs accommodations (see Living in Florida above)
- Some Disney courses include a material fees ($14-$55) and/or textbook fees (typically $15-$100)
- $155 program assessment fee (submitted directly to the Walt Disney World Resort)
- Meals while in California.
- $400-$500 for miscellaneous living expenses and student costs You may be eligible for a partial tuition scholarship from UCR. Check with your advisor for more information.
