International exchange

Expand your world on an international exchange

Students in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences are encouraged to consider participating in an international exchange opportunity. Student can spend either one or two terms studying aboard. All courses that students take while on an exchange can be credited towards your uWaterloo degree. Therefore students can complete degree requirements while getting an experience of a lifetime!

The Faculty of Applied Health Sciences has more than 40 student exchange agreement s in over 20 different countries.

Students who are selected to participate in an International exchange have the opportunity:

To learn about a different culture by experiencing it firsthand
To learn to become independent, flexible, mature and confident
To make friends with people from different cultural and social backgrounds
To study courses within a different culture while obtaining credit towards their UW degree

Normally students will attend the host university for one academic term. Students are required to register for a full course load (4-5 courses depending on the university) while on exchange. Upon being accepted for the exchange, you will be enrolled in REC 375/ KIN372 /HLTH 405 International Exchange (2.5 units) for the term. This is a placeholder course to bill you tuition at UW for 2.5 units. Normally students are advised to choose a term where you will be taking mostly electives and should take into account when the degree-required courses are offered.

Student experiences:

Avantika - Exchange to Singapore

Alison - Exchange to Australia

Carrie - Exchange to the Netherlands

Who should apply?

Students selected for the exchange program serve as ambassadors to the University of Waterloo. Successful candidates must have:

at least third year standing (application accepted in 2nd year)
at least a 70% minimum overall average (75% for Australia exchanges)
completed at least one academic year in the department if they are a transfer student

Note: It is the student's responsibility to make a plan of how they intend to fulfill their degree and minor/option requirements. Students in the co-op program must also make arrangements if they intend to alter the typical work/school sequence. Both the academic and co-op plan must be approved by the Chair of Undergraduate Studies.

It is important to note that there is no guarantee concerning course offerings here at the University of Waterloo. Although students may arrange their schedule so that they can fulfill their degree requirements in four years, not all courses are offered every year and some courses may change time slots. This may lead to course conflicts. Students must be prepared for the possibility that they may not finish in four years.

How do you apply?

Students interested in applying are required to submit the following:

Completed AHS International Outgoing Exchange Program Application (.pdf)
Detailed academic/co-op plan for completing degree requirements
Co-op sequence change form (.pdf) - Only once you have been accepted to go on an exchange
Letter stating academic, personal and professional motivations for applying, as well as any previous travel experience or evidence of the ability to cope in similar situations (2 pages max.)
Current résumé

All application materials must be submitted to the Student Services Coordinator, BMH 3103 by: January 15 for the following academic year. Example, if you wish to go on an exchange for either Fall 2012 or Winter 2013 term, your application must be submitted by January 15, 2012.

EXCEPTION: If you would like to go to Australia, applications are due earlier. For example, if you wish to go to Australia for Fall 2013, your application would be due January 15th, 2012.

Upon acceptance, students will be notified by e-mail and will include a formal application for the host university and an application for accommodation. All students must participate in a pre-departure safety and information orientation session.

Financing your exchange

While away on your exchange students pay normaml full-time tuition fees to Waterloo, rather than having to pay international student fees to the host university. Students pay for a full course load (5 courses) regardless of the number of courses taken. However, students will be required to cover all living and travel costs. It is important to consider the extra cost of living expenses that may be affiliated with some exchange countries.

Scholarships available to students

The University, in support of international studies, offers the following awards and bursaries:

Application for these awards is done through the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office in Needles Hall.

The Canadian Bureau for International Exchange Committee offers International Learning Grants. Applications and information can be found on their website, www.cbie.ca.

Pre-Departure Workshop

All exchange participants must attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Abroad Orientation session organized by the International Student Office.

Prior to the pre-departure briefing students are required to review:

Global Experience Certificate

Students who wish to combine their exchange experience with their love for new languages and culture may be interested in completing the Global Experience Certificate.

What are my options for working overseas?

A part-time job may be possible during your exchange term; however it does depend on the specific regulations of the country you’re going to. Check out the partner university’s website for any job information for international students.

There are many other ways you can work overseas. Here are some helpful links:

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