Our commitment to global prominence and internationalization

At the University of Waterloo, we have set ourselves an exciting and ambitious goal:

to become one of the most internationalized universities in Canada.

To succeed, Waterloo International is committed to providing leadership and coordinating internationalization plans. With our support and through cooperation with faculties and other offices, Waterloo will offer more opportunities for student-focused international activities, including exchange, service learning, field programs and co-op employment. The university will grow its global research network and be recognized internationally for excellence in education, research and scholarship. Waterloo will embrace global viewpoints and experience, attracting a diverse and growing group of the best and brightest international students and faculty to its campuses.

At Waterloo International, we believe that all international connections, whether they take place in another country or here at home, are essential for educating graduates ready to lead in the global economy. If you have questions related to internationalization or need assistance or support, we invite you to contact our knowledgeable staff.

What we do

support the strategic planAdvance & steward the university's internationalization activities, goals, & aspirations. Support campus-wide discussions regarding the University’s internationalization strategic plansMonitor national & international developments, their impacts, & conduct risk analyses

international agreementsSteward international agreements that benefit students, staff, and faculty with research, learning, and experiential opportunities

delegation visits & briefsOrganize, plan, and host delegation visits from around the world, including universities, public and private sector offices, and civil society organizationsSupport outbound executive international travel with detailed country and institutional briefings

safety abroadSupport campus stakeholders who are travelling abroad through pre-departure processes to educate and mitigate riskMonitor travel safety notifications to disseminate information as needed and provide assistance with personal safety and crisis management while abroad

innovative international projects Lead innovative international projects such as the Internationalization Fund, and the Staff International Experience Fund and initiate dialogues to establish linkages between multiple entities.