Student opportunities abroad

As a Waterloo student, you have access to a whole world of learning: opportunities to work, study, or volunteer outside Canada. Seizing those opportunities can help you become a global citizen, someone who can move easily in today’s interconnected world.

Exchanges

As a full-time student, you can study abroad for a term or two through the Exchange Programs; the academic credits you earn will count towards your University of Waterloo degree. From geography in Australia to engineering in Finland, UW has exchange agreements with more than 100 partner universities in 30 countries.

Co-operative education

As a Waterloo co-op student, you can choose to work outside Canada for a term of four or eight months. Whether you’re setting up a surgical lab in Ethiopia or field testing BlackBerrys in Italy, an international work term is an excellent way to prepare for your future in a world where business has gone global.

Canada-European Union (CANEU) Co-op

Waterloo is a key partner in the innovative Canadian - European Union Consortium for Strengthening Transatlantic Student Mobility in Cooperative Education. Engineering co-op students, consider a work term abroad in Germany with CANEU COOP in the Winter term.

Canadian and European students will be paired up as “twins” to take turns acting as ambassadors in their respective home countries. YOU will host your German twin and help them navigate school and daily logistics in Waterloo/Canada, and then that student will help YOU with your introduction to the culture and work life at the company you are working at in Germany.

There will be 7 CANEU jobs available during the Winter term.

Get all the important details and deadlines on the Co-operative Education & Career Action website!

Lisa ter Woort, CANEU Project Coordinator.

Development

As an overseas volunteer, you could gain experience for assignments, prepare for a career in development or international business, and help make the world a better place, all at once. Opportunities abound to work with people around the world, building lives and livelihoods. For example, you might join a non-profit organization such as Engineers Without Borders (not just for engineers). Or you could enrol in Peace and Conflict Studies and take a field course, or International Development, service learning for credit in Beyond Borders, participate in Waterloo/Solidarity in Action Inc. (SIA) Peru Program or apply for an internship with the federally sponsored Students for Development.

Pre-departure briefing for students

University of Waterloo is committed to the safety of students, whether they are studying, working, or researching on campus or abroad. Students are provided with comprehensive pre-departure briefings aimed at ensuring a successful experience abroad. These briefings are mandatory for any student participating in an international exchange, work, placement, internship, research, fieldtrip or other study abroad program affiliated with the university.

Student and University of Waterloo responsibilities for safety abroad

DepartSmart is an University of Waterloo academic travel orientation course intended for use by students, faculty and staff involved in overseas academic/work programs.

Mandatory pre-departure briefings:

• Pre-departure briefings for all international activities
• Co-op orientation for students going to the U.S.A. and all other international destinations

University of Waterloo travel safety measures (pdf): requirements for travel in high-risk regions.

The Big Guide to living and working overseas

You can explore the idea of living and working overseas further by registering with "The Big Guide". University of Waterloo has purchased a license for all students, staff, faculty and alumni to allow full access to this amazing resource.