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
Attention engineering and business co-op students! international opportunities are available for those with a work term in Winter 2013! Are you considering a work term abroad?
Spend your Winter 2013 co-op work term in Europe with CANEU Co-op! CANEU provides a travel stipend of $4,500 for each selected student to work in collaboration with one of two European universities.
Students from FH Joanneum University in Austria and Duale Hochschule Baden Wurttemberg in Germany will spend the fall semester at Waterloo to study, while Canadian students will spend the following semester in paid co-op positions in Europe. Canadian and European students will be paired up as “twins” to take turns acting as ambassadors in their respective home countries.
There will be seven CANEU jobs available during the Spring 2013 recruiting term for students with a work term in January 2013. JobMine postings will open late May or early June.
For more details visit the CANEU Co-op website or contact 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, 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.
