Université Laval Trade Missions

City: Quebec City Country: Canada

Overview:

Complete a Trade Mission in Quebec! Experience French Canadian Culture!

The Mission Commerciales Program by ULaval is expanding to include Canadian trade missions to Quebec.

The ULaval Trade Missions team wishes to provide University of Alberta students with an opportunity to gain practical business development experience via a trade mission in Québec City.

This outgoing mobility project will consist of a semester of virtual training sessions to prepare the mission in Québec followed by a 2-week stay in Québec City.

This program is eligible for 6 credits of senior business elective or 6 CSJ credits (ARTE 399 and ARTE 499)

Online preparatory courses – Preparing the Trade Mission (Course 1)

In the first part of the project, the ULaval Trade Missions team will provide virtual training (12 sessions) on sales, international trade as well as the cultural and logistical aspects of carrying out a trade mission in Québec. To facilitate the training process and ensure it complies with established standards, the ULaval Trade Missions team may enlist the participation of certain business partners (consultants, sales experts, entrepreneurs, etc.) who are established in the students’ home province or country to facilitate sales of mandates and train students on certain local aspects.

The ULaval Trade Missions team will train, supervise and accompany the students to match them with client companies. Students will then prepare a market study for their client company, in which they will target opportunities for that client in Québec, and then set up business meetings they will hold in Québec City as part of their mission.

Most of the experiential learning component of this course consists of selling a mandate to a local business to be represented as part of a trade mission in Québec. The ULaval Trade Missions team will train, supervise and accompany the students to match them with client companies.

Undertaking the Trade Mission (Course 2)

In the second part of the project, students will travel to Québec City for 2 weeks to hold meetings with various stakeholders in connection with the goals of their mandate. To support the students, the ULaval Trade Missions team will organize daily co-development activities, one or two networking and training activities, and put students from outside Québec in contact with promising organizations to fulfill their mandate.

When Can I Go?

This new program is accepting applications this fall for students to begin their trade mission in winter semester 2024. During the winter semester students will complete the virtual training and set up their trade mission. The trade mission will be conducted during the first 2 weeks of May (exact dates to be confirmed).

Travel Logistics:

Transportation: Students are responsible for purchasing their plane tickets and must arrive at least 1 day before the start of the mission.

Accommodations and meals: Students will stay at the Université Laval student residences. The FSA ULaval Trade Missions team will coordinate the entire process. As for meals, breakfasts are included, and students are responsible for their lunches and evening meals.

Activities

1- Welcome event: This event will be organized by the FSA ULaval Trade Missions team, and will be held either at a partner’s office (trade agency, incubator, chamber of commerce, etc.) or at Université Laval. Opening remarks will be delivered, discussions on business opportunities in Québec will be held and pastries will be served.

2- Networking event: This event will be organized by the FSA ULaval Trade Missions team, and will be held either at a partner’s office or at Université Laval. Stakeholders relevant to the various companies being represented and members of the Trade Missions Alumni community will be invited to this event by the FSA ULaval Trade Missions team and students.

3- Closing event: This event will be held at Université Laval. Appetizers and wine will be served to celebrate the successful trade missions!

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to: All Faculties, while there is a business focus to this experience, the experience and skills being developed may be appealing to students from a wide range of disciplines.

Level: Undergraduate, Graduate

Language: English, some French. This experience is ideal for bilingual French/English students but fluency in French is not required. Having some understanding of French may be beneficial.

Other Requirements:

Students should be in good academic standing
ULaval will conduct a qualification assessment with nominated students before officially accepting students to the program

Fees & Costs:

Fee Schedule:

Students should anticipate a program fee of $2500 + $300 ULaval Tuition. Depending on trade mission company contributions and grant offset, it may be as low as $500 (TBC).

Total program cost: Between $800-$2500 + flight & meals (for students who use the program for 6 credits of senior business elective - compare the cost - tuition for 6 undergraduate business credits = approx $2200) (International students have transfer credit reduction applyed in the calculation of their year 4 fees)

Fees of $2,500 per student are charged and include:

Academic training and support
University residence accommodations
Breakfasts
The events (welcome event, networking event and closing event)
A public transit pass for Québec City
Students will be able to apply for transfer credit for up to 6 credits

The fees do not include:

Lunches and evening meals
Travel costs to Québec City
A visa (if required)
Insurance
Personal expenses

In order to maintain a sales aspect in preparing students for the trade mission, a financial contribution of $1500 will be requested from the companies. This will decrease the students’ participation costs.

Application Process

Applications are open on HORIZONS.

The application deadline is October 15th.

After applications are reviewed, students will be notified if they are nominated for the program. Nominated students will complete the ULaval pre-assessment. Offers are expected to be made to students in early to mid November.