Dreaming a Bigger World Experience
Imagine the dreams that become possible when financial barriers are removed for students: a term abroad, an immersive language program, a globally focused internship, or research grounded in another culture. Students might find themselves volunteering in a refugee settlement, researching an issue they care about, immersing themselves in global music, taking a field course in environmental justice, working with a governmental think tank, or collaborating with an NGO overseas. Experiences like these broaden a person’s perspective, change career paths, and contribute to the kind of leadership that Canada will need in the future.
Senator Peter Harder (BA 1975, Hon. LLD 2005) knows the value of international experience. As a lifelong public servant, Harder has worked on immigration, public security, innovation, and foreign affairs, enacting policies in Canada and abroad. “My career has been based on public service and the opportunity to work on the issues that are truly defining our global age,” he summarized. “If you look at my experiences, it was dealing with refugee movements, immigration, public security — which is all about international challenges on the security side — innovation at Industry Canada, and Foreign Affairs, the pinnacle of all of that in terms of the changes to foreign policy.”
“I am of the view that Canadians need to have more knowledge of and a commitment to bringing the outside in,” he added. “There are some people who say the world needs more of Canada, and I’m saying Canada needs more of the world. A better Canada is one that understands the world better.”
In that spirit, Harder has committed $50,000 a year for five years to support undergraduate and graduate students at Conrad Grebel University College who are seeking international learning opportunities. After five years, Harder intends to establish an endowed fund for the same purpose. These scholarships will enable immersive international experiences that contribute to intellectual formation, cultural understanding, and engagement with global issues, including peace, justice, religion, international relations, and culture, that are connected to a student’s University of Waterloo program of study.
“Senator Harder’s generous commitment offers students a unique opportunity to experience the world and then bring a broader perspective back to their studies,” said Grebel President Marcus Shantz. “When students step into another culture — learn a new language, navigate difference, build relationships across borders — they are changed by it. That kind of experience deepens not just what they know, but who they are becoming.”
“It will hopefully better prepare them for a career, no matter what they choose,” Harder explained. “Their career will be defined more by the world and what is happening in the world than previous generations. So if you understand the world better, it will better prepare you to be whatever you choose to be.”
Last year marked 50 years since Harder graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Political Science. While living at Grebel, he practiced leadership skills, including serving as Grebel Student Council President, and learned to think globally and act ethically. “Grebel formed me,” he explained, when asked why it was important for him to give back to Grebel. “The issues I’ve been dealing with are still shaped by what I learned at Grebel, the books that came my way, and the engagements I had, both formal and informal, with the Grebel community.”
To mark the anniversary, Harder chose to make a commitment that will allow the next generation of students at Grebel and Waterloo to “accelerate their understanding of and maybe their commitment to a career in that space of inter‑domestic understanding — of helping Canada achieve a better understanding of where the world is going and how we can help, to the best we can, shape some of that.”
With a distinguished career in public service, Harder has a wealth of advice for current students. “The more you understand of the world, the more you will both be able to shape and contribute to the Canadian experience. Think global,” he advised. “Your career and life on this planet will be defined by the world, not the town, or even the country. Global literacy is something you need to experience, not just study.”
“My parents came to Canada as refugees a hundred years ago. And my mother certainly inculcated the whole notion of giving back, because we were so lucky to find refuge here in Canada,” added Harder. “I’ve always taken that admonition as a commitment that needs to be fulfilled, both professionally and in whatever philanthropic efforts I can undertake. Giving back is very consistent with the values that shaped my life.”
Application Details
Students eligible for support from The Honourable V. Peter Harder International Experience Fund must be in good academic standing at the University of Waterloo and have a demonstrated connection to Grebel, whether as residents or associates, as students in Music, Peace and Conflict Studies, Mennonite Studies, or the Master of Theological Studies or Master of Peace and Conflict Studies programs. They must also have confirmed acceptance into a university-approved international opportunity, such as a study‑abroad term, an international co‑op or internship, or a short‑term academic or language program.
Applications for The Honourable V. Peter Harder International Experience Fund are now open and will be considered beginning March 25 for the spring 2026 term. When selecting recipients, the committee will consider students’ academic readiness, the educational value of the proposed experience, and how strongly it aligns with the fund’s purpose. Financial need, leadership and involvement in the Grebel community, and the potential for the experience to impact a student’s future academic, professional, or civic contributions will also be taken into account. If there are undistributed funds after awards have been made to recipients with Grebel connections, awards may be made to UWaterloo applicants who otherwise meet the criteria.
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Read more about Senator Harder’s Legacy of Public Service