International Student Bridging Program

International Student Bridging Program 

The International Student Bridging Program provides eligible undergraduate students with a place to stay in Campus Housing over the break period between two consecutive academic terms within the same academic year. There is a bridging program offered between the fall and winter term, and between the winter and spring term.  

Eligibility: 

  • You must be a University of Waterloo undergraduate student on a study permit   
  • You must have a confirmed Campus Housing residence contract for the current term and the next term in the same academic year. Both first-year and upper-year students in Campus Housing are eligible.   
  • Two term exchange students attending Waterloo by means of a study permit are eligible.  
  • Students with housing contracts with one of the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo are not eligible for this program (ex. United College, Renison College, Conrad Grebel, St. Jerome’s).  

If you are not eligible but are searching for accommodations over between terms, please visit our list of short term accommodations. 

Dates:  

The dates of the bridging program align with the break between academic terms, which can be found in the Registrar’s Office Important Dates page. 

  • December Bridging: housing is provided for the duration of the University holiday closure, from the day after fall final examinations end until the first winter term move in date.  
    • In 2024, the Bridging program begins December 20, 2024 and ends Thursday, January 2, 2025.
  • April Bridging: from the day after the final examinations end in the winter term until the spring term move in date.  
    • In 2024, the Bridging program begins April 26, 2024 and ends May 4, 2024.
  • There is no Bridging Program available for the break between spring terms and the next academic year’s fall term.  

Cost:  

$500+HST 

No refunds will be given. Please only accept your contract and pay the program fee if you feel confident you will be staying for the entire duration of the program. 

Location: 

Students must relocate to the designated International Student Bridging Program floors located in the UW Place residence community. 

Sign up: 

Eligible students will receive a formal email invitation with the payment page and contract to accept. If you believe you are eligible and did not receive the email invitation, please email housing@uwaterloo.ca with your full name and 8-digit Waterloo ID number.  Please note, payment is not made through Quest. 

Frequently Asked Questions

FALL 2024 TO WINTER 2025 BRIDGING PROGRAM DETAILS

The fall 2024 to winter 2025 Bridging Program begins December 20, 2024. Sign up emails will be sent out in October. Details on your personalized room assignment for this Bridging program will be emailed to you once confirmed closer to the start of the program. 

What staff will be available? 

Dons will be available to students participating in the program.  

My exams end earlier than the program starts what do I do? 

Students who are participating in the bridging program do not need to move out of their current room until the last day of the residence contract, which will always be the day of the Bridging move in. You do not need to contact your Residence Life Co-ordinator (RLC) to request an extension.   

Do I need to move my things out of my room? 

Stay in place bridging program: 

  • You will not need to pack or move any belongings for the duration of the bridging program.  
  • You will only need to remove your belongings from your current room at the end of the Bridging Program if you are moving to a new room assignment for the following term. 

Relocation bridging program: 

  • If you are moving to a new room assignment for the following term you will need to completely pack up your room and remove all belongings when you move into your bridging program room assignment.  
  • If you are returning to your room for the following term, you will only need to pack and bring what you will need for the duration of the bridging program (see packing list below).  

Packing list if you are assigned to a new room for the bridging program: 

  • Linens (sheets, blanket, pillow)      
  • Towels      
  • Toiletries and medications  
  • Electronics      
  • Chargers for your electronics      
  • Enough clothes for the week, based on the weather  

Pack as if you were going on a one-week vacation and bring just your essentials.   

If you are going to a different room assignment after the Bridging Program, please bring all your belongings with you to the Bridging Program room.   

My friend is not eligible but wants to stay residence with me, can they?

In order to participate in the International Student Bridging Program students must meet the following criteria:    

  • You must be a University of Waterloo undergraduate student on a study permit.  
  • You must have a confirmed Campus Housing residence contract for the current term and the next term in the same academic year. Both first-year and upper-students in Campus Housing are eligible.   
  • Two term exchange students attending UWaterloo by means of a study permit are eligible.  
  • Students with housing contracts with one of the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo are not eligible for this program (ex. United College, Renison College, Conrad Grebel, St. Jerome’s).  

If your friend does not meet this criteria, they will not be eligible to participate in this program. If they are still searching for accommodations over the winter break, please have them visit our list of  short term accommodations. You can still stay connected in the Waterloo area during the break.    

Where do I pay for this program? 

Campus Housing will be sending eligible students an invite to sign-up for the program. The sign up process includes a link to complete the required payment, and a link to sign the Bridging Program contract. This program is not paid via Quest. Please note that this cost is for the entire duration of your stay during the program. You are not able to sign up just for just a few nights.  

I am eligible but I did not receive a sign-up email. What do I do? 

All students eligible for the program will have received an email invite to sign-up in March. If you believe you are eligible to participate and you didn’t receive this email message, please contact housing@uwaterloo.ca with your full name and 8-digit Waterloo ID number.   

WHY DOES THE PROGRAM COST $500 PLUS HST

Typically, over the breaks between terms there are limited staff and resources available. However, during the duration of the International Student Bridging program additional staff time and resources are acquired to support planning for the program, cleaning the bridging rooms before and after the program, and collaborate on programming for bridging students.