*NEW* Distant Placements
Frequently Asked Questions
Please read through each question if you are interested in completing a Distant Placement for FE4. If you have any further questions, please contact your Placement Coordinator. We can be reached by email, phone or book a meeting with us!
placements.education [at] mcgill.caĚý ĚýPhone: 514-398-7046Ěý ĚýĚý
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Distant Placement Options
What is the difference between an ISA arranged Distant Placement and a Self-Directed Placement?
An ISA arranged distant placement is organized by your Placement Coordinator in collaboration with one of ISA’s distant placement partners. All Distant Placement destinations listed on the ISA website are ISA arranged placements. If you choose to pursue an ISA arranged placement, you should not solicit a host school for a student teaching distant placement. IF you wish to complete FE4 somewhere ISA does not have partnership, you may opt to complete a Self-Directed placement. A Self-Directed placement is fully organized by you, the Student Teacher. In this case, you are responsible for finding your own FE4 placement. Please take note that you cannot apply for both an ISA arranged Distant Placement and a Self-Directed Placement.
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Can I do a self-directed with one of the listed destinations of the ISA website?
No. Self-directed placements can not take place at one of the destinations listed on the ISA website. If you are interested in completing FE4 in one of these locations, ISA is happy to collaborate with its placement partner to secure a placement on your behalf.
Distant Placement Application and Interview
What are the important dates?
Applications usually open in the early summer and close in early October. The Student Teaching team starts interviewing applicants starting in the late summer through the end of October. The placement process takes place from November to February. See here for the application form.Ěý
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What should I include in my resume and personal statement for my application?
Your CV should highlight both your academic and work experience in the last few years. Please add your volunteer and extra-curricular involvement to your resume, if applicable.ĚýThere are no specific instructions for the Personal Statement, we simply want to learn more about you! Tell us about your decision to become a teacher and why you think a distant placement is a good fit for you. Do you have any experience that makes you an ideal candidate? Your personal statement should be no more than 1 page doubled spaced.
Can I request a specific area and/or school for my Distant Placement?
Yes, please include any requests in your Distant Placement application or let your Placement Coordinator know via email.
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Can my placement be in a language other than English or French?
Unfortunately, no. Distant Student Teaching placements must be in English and/or French.
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I am planning to complete a Self-Directed placement; how do I know if a school meets McGill’s host school requirements?
The host school must be accredited by their local government and use a similar curriculum to the QEP. Canadian, American, British, and Australian curriculum are acceptable. Your CT must also meet the eligibility criteria listed on the Self-Directed Placement webpage. When in doubt, please reach out to your Placement Coordinator.
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I’m applying for a Self-Directed placement; will I be invited to an interview the Student Teaching team?
No. Student Teachers who apply for a Self-Directed placement are not interviewed. Applicants must meet all the eligibility requirements and submit all the required application documents. Please take note final approval is granted by the ISA Director and they may request an interview.
I’ve submitted my application, what now?
You will be invited for an interview with the Student Teaching team. You will be notified via email if you have been selected to participate in a Distant Placement. The Student Teaching team will then start coordinating with placement partners to secure your FE4 placement. Your placement details will be shared with you as soon as they finalized.
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Is it difficult to be accepted to distant placement?
The acceptance rate for Distant Placement is very high! Accepted students must meet all the eligibility requirements and have a successful interview.
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What can I expect from the interview?
The Student Teaching Team conducts interviews to get to know the applicant and learn about their motivation behind applying for a Distant Placement. The interview is approximately 30 minutes long. There is time at the end of the interview for the applicant to ask questions. ISA Partners may also request to speak with the candidate before confirming the placement.Ěý
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When will when I know if I am selected for a Distant Placement?
Your Placement Coordinator will let you know if you have been selected for a Distant Placements no more than 1 week following your interview.
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I want to withdraw my application – what do I do?
Contact your Placement Coordinator as soon as possible to let them know.
Placement Process
How does the distant placement process work?
Once ISA has a finalized group of candidates, your Placement Coordinator will send a placement request to your first-choice destination. Like the placement process in Montreal, your Placement Coordinator will work with ISA’s placement partners to find an appropriate placement. If your first choice is denied, your second choice will be considered, etc. The Student Teaching team provides periodic updates throughout the Distant Placement process. Student Teachers are notified of their placement assignment as soon as the placement is confirmed.
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When can I expect to receive my Distant placement details?
Placement details are shared with Student Teachers as soon as they are finalized. The exact timing is different for each placement because the Student Teaching Team relies on its placement partners to secure placements. Some Student Teachers may receive their placement assignment months before departure and others may only receive it 1-2 weeks before the start of FE4. The Student Teaching team works diligently to finalize placement assignments as early as possible, but in some cases, it is not feasible. We appreciate your patience and flexibility throughout the placement process.
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Can I refuse a distant placement once confirmed?
Yes, it is possible to cancel your placement after it has been confirmed. We recognize that circumstances change and unfortunately, a placement may need to be cancelled. If appropriate, your Placement Coordinator will arrange for your placement to take place in Montreal. Please note that the ISA team will make every effort to place you locally but if the cancellation is last minute; a placement in Montreal is notĚýguaranteed.Ěý
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If my distant placement falls through last minute, what happens?
In this case, your Placement Coordinator will arrange for your placement to take place in Montreal. Please take note your start date may be delayed if a new placement is not secured before the start of FE4.
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Will my supervisor be in person or remote?
Supervision for all Distant Placements are conducted remotely. Your supervisor will evaluate your teaching synchronously (via zoom) or asynchronously (video recording).
Preparing for your Distant Placement
Does McGill offer funding for Student Teachers completing a Distant Placement?
No. McGill does not offer funding for Distant Placements. Some partners offer funding and/or provide accommodations for the duration of FE4. All funding availability is specified on the Distant Placement Options webpage on the ISA website. Exact funding for most partners is confirmed closer to the start date as it often will depend on the final location of the placement.Ěý
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Does McGill help student teachers find accommodation and/or arrange travel to their placement?
No. McGill does not help Student Teachers find accommodation and/or make travel arrangements unless the service is offered by the placement partner. All funding availability is specified on the Distant Placement Options webpage on the ISA website.
Self-Directed placements are fully organized by the Student Teacher. McGill does not offer any assistance with accommodation, travel arrangements, and/or visa applications.
Please take note that if your placement destination does not offer funding and/or accommodation, you are responsible for making the arrangements at your expense.
What obstacles did past students face during their Distant Placement?
Some students struggle with isolation or feeling alone during their Distant Placement. To combat this, it is important to get involved in your host school and community as soon as you start FE4. If another McGill student is joining you at the same destination, it is recommended that you connect with them before FE4 so you may support each other during the Distant Placement experience.
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My passport will expire in 6 months, can I use it to travel internationally?
No. Your passport should be valid for 6 months as of your return date to Canada. It is strongly recommended that Student Teachers renew their passport before their distant placement if the expiration date is less than 12 months away.
Can I use my cell phone outside Canada?
Yes. However, you may need to purchase an international sim card in certain countries. It is best to contact your service provider to see the options that are available to you.Ěý
Do I need to complete the International Field Experience Behavioral form?
Yes, if your placement is located outside of Canada.
Do I have to provide proof of health and travel insurance?
Your Placement Coordinator will ask you to confirm that you have purchased health and travel insurance for the duration of your distant placement. We want to make sure you are safe!
Do I need to confirm flight and accommodations with the ISA office?
Your Placement Coordinator will ask you to confirm that you have arranged your travel and accommodation for the duration of your distant placement. Again, we just want to make sure you are safe! Otherwise, official proof of your flight details and accommodation is not required.
Do I need to complete McGill Abroad’ s Travel Registry?
Yes. McGill Abroad’ s Travel Registry is mandatory for all students completing a distant placement.
Do I need to complete McGill Abroad’ s Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation?
Yes. McGill Abroad’ s Pre-Departure Orientation is mandatory for all students completing a placement outside of Canada.ĚýPre-Departure Orientation is aĚýmandatory courseĚýoffered online via MyCourses that covers practical information related to pre-departure preparations, your time abroad, and your return to McGill. Orientation is offered monthly and you should complete it in January or February before your departure. (It is short, takes about one hour to complete.)
Does the ISA host a separate pre-departure orientation for Distant Placements?
Yes. The Student Teaching Team offers one pre-departure orientation for Student Teachers heading to one of Quebec’s Indigenous communities for FE4, and a second pre-departure session for the students placed across Canada and internationally. Both pre-departure sessions are usually held in early February. Please take note that some placement partners may offer their own training or required orientation that is separate from ISA’s programming.