International Education Week at Waterloo

Jenna Bott wanted to broaden her university experience so she decided to volunteer in Uganda, helping orphans and vulnerable children get to school and gain access to food and school supplies.

Jenna Bott and Ronald, part of the Reach Out Mbuya program, in Uganda

Her time with Reach Out Mbuya, an HIV/AIDS non-government organization (NGO), gave her an opportunity to give back but it also solidified her decision to pursue social work.

“This experience gave me a deeper appreciation of the value of education and heightened my passion to pursue my dream career in social work,” says Bott.  “I feel so thankful to have had this opportunity; my summer in Uganda has been a defining experience in my life.”

This week is  International Education Week (IEW), at the University. It’s a time when departments on campus showcase international cultures and exchange opportunities through a series of 29 events.  IEW programs include country spotlight presentations, exchange information sessions, an international movie night and dance lessons from various cultural groups.

Creating global citizens

Bott’s experience in Uganda was part of the Global Experience Certificate program, a University of Waterloo program that encourages undergraduate students who want to become global citizens. The program gave Bott, a student of Peace and Conflict Studies, the chance to gain international experience while lending a hand in a community that needs support.

One of her main responsibilities was to help run group discussions on topics such as peer pressure, sexually transmitted infections, sex and sexuality. The three-month experience also gave her new life-long friends and experiences that fundamentally changed her.

“Experiences like Jenna’s give students the opportunity to see the world from different perspectives, develop intercultural awareness, expand their career paths and become global leaders of tomorrow,” says Paula Murphy, Global Experience Certificate Coordinator, Waterloo International.  With over 160 exchange opportunities available to Waterloo students, there is a unique experience available within every program. 

The University of Waterloo values the role international experiences play in providing students opportunities to increase awareness of international issues and cultures, and become engaged, globally-minded graduates with the ability to change the world, says Murphy.