Summer Experience Program | Inspiring Global Citizens
The Future Ready program is designed for students aged 15 to 17 who are interested in developing the 21st century skills that will help them to address some of the world’s most challenging problems. Students will be inspired as they experience lectures from a variety of disciplines and explore the University of Waterloo’s renowned innovative culture.
This three-week summer program offers students the opportunity to engage in critical thinking, creative problem solving, and collaborative communication as they apply design thinking to ideate solutions to a specific global challenge. Students will benefit from core program components focusing on communication, innovation, culture, and project-based design that will provide the foundation as they begin to unpack themes of global sustainability emphasized by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Summer 2025 Application deadline: April 15, 2025
What will you learn?
The Future Ready program has four key components:
Investigating Innovation | Exploring Culture |
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These interactive sessions expose students to design thinking and innovative ways of tackling complex challenges. Through analyzing real-world problems and issues related to Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs), students will have opportunities to observe and discuss problem-solving skills applied to real-world scenarios. Students will also see first-hand the innovative atmosphere of the Waterloo community through guest lectures from Waterloo professors. | The purpose of these sessions is to explore the connection between cultural diversity and sustainable development by examining the SDGs and the role of cross-cultural communication in achieving common goals. Through exploring various situational contexts related to diversity, globalization, and intercultural communication, students will develop culture-specific insights fostering an empathic, open approach to other cultures. |
Cultivating Communication | Navigating Projects: From concept to completion |
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In this program component, students will develop essential communication skills crucial for future academic success. Focusing on three key areas—group work, presentations, and discussions—students will learn and apply strategies to express themselves clearly, collaborate effectively, and engage confidently in various academic situations. Through interactive exercises and practical applications, students will enhance their teamwork and leadership skills as they work together to prepare and deliver compelling presentations and participate actively in class discussions and debates. These skills will not only improve their academic performance but also prepare them for future challenges in higher education. |
These sessions support research-informed approaches to problem-solving through active critical engagement with an issue of global importance. Students will learn to conduct academic research and work collaboratively to innovate a potential solution or mitigation strategy to a specific issue. Their work will culminate in a capstone project and presentation that applies concepts and learnings from each of the program components |
Student Experience
By living in residence and engaging in all that is associated with an on-campus living experience, you will develop deeper social ties with your peers who are also experiencing a new cultural environment. Friendships are further developed as you participate in the many on-campus activities and excursions to important landmarks and Canadian cultural sites located in southern Ontario.
Sample Activities Calendar
NOTE: participants receive a finalized calendar upon arrival; activities and trips are subject to change based on availability and/or weather conditions. Students will have supervision in their residence accommodation and during activities and trips.