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 2026, the bridging program begins December 23, 2026 and ends January 4, 2027.
- April Bridging: from the day after the final examinations end in the winter term until the spring term move in date.
- 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 typically 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.
Program Guide
Welcome to your International Student Bridging Program Guide! Your one-stop shop for everything you need to know for your stay between terms. Please be aware that the information below is only for students registered to stay in residence between terms.
What to Expect During Your Stay
Who Will Be Here?
Over the break we have a mix of first-year and upper-year students staying in residence. Your neighbours are all international students from all over the world. A Don will be on duty each evening to support you and will be running a couple activities during the week to help you meet your neighbours. There are other suggested activities and events happening in the region in the "things to do" section.
There is a no guest policy during the International Student Bridging Program. Please do not invite any students or friends that are not a member of the program into the building or your unit. We encourage you to socialize with members of this program living in UWP. Leverage the first-floor lounges to meet your neighbours!
Other important notes:
- There will be Dons available in UWP. If you need assistance you can reach the Duty Don at 519-502-0932 or the CLV Front Desk at 519-888-4567, ext. 33837. Dons are here to provide support and facilitate some awesome events and activities for you during your stay. Ask them any questions you have and they’ll help connect you with the right information. Attend the mandatory orientation at 4:00pm on December 23 to meet your Dons! You will be added to an MS Teams channel with the Dons as a way to connect with the rest of the community and find out about the programming being run by the Dons. Be sure to stay up to date!
- Campus Housing buildings not being used by the bridging program are closed between December 23 and January 4. Front Desks and Food Services cafeterias in residence will be closed. Many spaces and buildings across the University of Waterloo campus will be open during regular operating hours (please look up information for specific buildings and hours).
Moving Process & Keys
Move-in timeline - Wednesday December 23, 2026
Move to bridging accommodation suite
8 a.m.:
- Beginning at 8 a.m., staff will be at the UWP Grand Commons (located between Eby Hall and Beck Hall) where you can store luggage until you receive keys for your International Student Bridging Program (ISBP) accommodations at the 4 p.m. orientation.
- UWP Grand Commons will be supervised by Campus Housing staff. You are welcome to hang out until the orientation, or you can drop your things off and come back for 4 p.m.
- Our team can be reached throughout the day on the Duty Phone at 519-502-0932.
10 a.m.:
- By 10 a.m., all ISBP students must have moved out of their fall 2026 accommodations and returned their fall 2026 keys to their current Front Desk.
4 p.m.:
- At 4 p.m. all students participating in the bridging program are asked to gather in the UWP Grand Commons for an orientation to the program and to meet the Dons available throughout the week.
- Following the orientation, you will receive keys for your ISBP accommodations.
All students living in residence will be required to return their fall 2026 keys to their current Front Desk prior to being able to pick-up their bridging keys
Move-out timeline - Monday January 4, 2027
Move out of bridging accommodation suite
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- By 12 p.m. (noon) on January 4, all students must be moved out of their ISBP accommodations. Keys are to be returned to the UWP Front Desk located in the CMH Community Centre by 12 p.m.
- You will have access to your winter 2027 term residence building on the morning of winter 2027 move-in.
- Keys for your winter 2027 residence accommodations will be available at the Front Desk of your winter 2027 building assignment.
Move-out expectations:
-
Please do what you can to return your ISBP space to its original condition prior to returning your keys. This includes bringing garbage to appropriate disposal areas, packing up all belongings, and wiping down surfaces.
Early move out:
-
If you are moving out of your ISBP accommodations before the last day of the bridging program, please return your keys to the drop-box located at the entrance to the Beck Hall Community Centre and inform an ISBP Don.
Important Contact Information
Front Desk Support
CLV Front Desk: (519) 888- 4567, ext. 33837
Our CLV Front Desk will be open most days between the fall 2026 and winter 2027 terms and should be contacted when the Duty Don is not available. All other residence Front Desks will be closed for the break.
Visit the Campus Housing Contacts and Hours website for exact dates and times the CLV Front Desk will be open during the break.
The UWP Front Desk will re-open on January 4 at 8 a.m.
Duty Don Support
ISBP Duty Don (519-502-0932)
The Duty Don will be available throughout the program and should be contacted when the CLV Front Desk is closed.
Duty Don Hours:
- Monday through Friday, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, 8 p.m. to 12 p.m.
Why would you call the Duty Don?
- You are locked out of your room.
- You need support with a personal matter.
- You have a facilities issue (e.g. plumbing/heating/electrical).
Please note, Dons are permitted to be within 15 minutes of campus. While they will answer all calls, you cannot expect an immediate response.
UW Special Constable Service
519-888-4911 or 519-888-4567 ext. 22222
Emergency Services:
9-1-1
Packing List
Your Accommodations:
During your stay, you will be staying in an apartment-style residence. Each suite has multiple single-bedrooms, suite-shared bathrooms, a kitchen (with fridge, stove/oven), and living room.
During the bridging program, you will not be able to access any belongings in your regular assigned residence room, so we want to make sure you are prepared and have everything you need.
What to Bring:
To ensure your comfort during your stay between terms, please pack the following items:
- Linens (sheets, blanket, pillow)
- Towels
- Personal care items for hygiene and grooming
- Electronics and their chargers
- Clothes and outerwear
- Money for any purchases you need to make (groceries, ordering food, etc.)
- Personal items (identification, medication, etc.)
- Kitchen Essentials: cup/mug, plates, bowl, cutlery, pot and pan. Small appliances such as a coffee maker or kettle will need to be brought individually. Due to precautions concerning safety, small appliances and other cookware cannot be provided to each suite.
Things to do
There is so much to do in Kitchener-Waterloo during the break. We encourage you to get out and explore the region! Here are some ideas:
In Kitchener:
For a full list of events happening in the City of Kitchener please see their calendar.
In Waterloo:
- St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market
- Open most Thursdays and Sundays, visit the website for opening hours.
- City of Waterloo Museum at Conestoga Mall
- Waterloo Park
For a full list of events happening in the City of Waterloo please see their calendar.
Meal Options
Main campus:
Many on-campus locations have reduced hours between terms. We recommend checking websites before making plans to ensure stores or services are open and available.
Food Services will be operating on limited hours in the Student Life Centre. More information on hours can be found on the Food Services website. You can use your WatCard flex dollars to make purchases from these locations.
Off-campus options:
Below are a few recommendations on where to go to get groceries/supplies while you are staying at UWP. Don’t feel like cooking? You can walk across the street to University Plaza for a ton of great fast-food and sit-down restaurant options
Shops at Waterloo Town Square (75 King Street S, Waterloo)
- Your Independent Grocer (grocery store)
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- Many restaurants!
Bridgeport Plaza (94 Bridgeport Road E, Waterloo)
- Walmart
- Sobeys
- Bulk Barn
- Your Dollar Store with More
Westmount Place Plaza (50 Westmount Road N, Waterloo)
- T&T Grocery Store
- Farah Foods
- Pharmasave Pharmacy
- Westmount Walk-in Clinic
Conestoga Mall (550 King St N, Waterloo)
- Zehrs
- Many food options
- Shoppers Drug Mart
Have a great break Warriors! We hope you enjoy your stay.