heyo, no worries! I believe i volunteered there in 2012, so i'm pretty rusty!

If memory serves MRU does have a certain amount of spaces in place for international students. MRU has partnerships with schools all over the planet and the process for them applying is streamlined to some degree (mostly in regards to transfer credits - which is something his schools international office will likely have him look into [i.e. figuring out which classes he plans on taking and contacting the profs for course outlines to establish equivalencies]).

Not sure how long it will take to get his acceptance letter, it depends on how quick the office staff on both ends process him... it would likely depend on how many applications they're processing. I'd expect sometime in November, so he has time to register fro classes.

One thing he has on his side is being an American. He likely wont need to go to a canadian embassy for an interview (which people from most countries need to do)... will likely only need to fill out some forms.

Here's a link for schools mru has partnerships with http://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/InternationalEducation/InternationalOpportunities/mru_bilateral_partnerships.htm

here's a link for inbound international students http://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/InternationalEducation/InternationalOpportunities/inter_incoming_student.htm

If you're looking for a super chill volunteer gig for your resume volunteer as a 'international ambassador' with this office. I think the commitment was a hour a week and you'd answer questions people have about international opportunities... realistically i just sat there and did assignments or readings haha. Usually they want people who have done semesters abroad, but they're usually desperate for volunteers. If you're thinking of doing a semester abroad and not being a semester behind on degree (most countries semester systems overlap with ours), hit up West Virginia University... it's like a stereotypical university from movies... frat houses, sororities, crazy parties, tailgating... if only i had a time machine haha.