Future Ready

students sitting on stairs

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

Who is the program designed for (Future Ready)?

The Future Ready program is designed for high school students who are…

  • between the ages of 15-17
  • interested in experiencing life and studies at a Canadian university (Waterloo boasts a vibrant campus life year-round), and
  • motivated to build knowledge and skills as they engage with some of the world’s most challenging issues.

*Please note the Future Ready program is not a language program. It is intended for students with a high-intermediate or advanced level of English (minimum B2 CEFR level). A language assessment and oral interview will be administered following registration to ensure student enrollment in the program. To confirm your language level, you can complete the following free online test: https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/english-level-test.

Program features (Future Ready)

Bringing together talented high school students from around the world, the Future Ready program offers:

  1. Exposure to different ways of understanding and thinking about some of the world’s biggest problems.
  2. An interdisciplinary approach to promote problem solving and idea generation.
  3. Diverse and dynamic learning environments fostering important academic and career-ready skills, including communication, collaboration, presentation, leadership, and critical thinking skills.

What will you learn?

The Future Ready program has four key components:

Investigating Innovation Exploring Culture
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
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 

Sample Class Schedule (Future Ready)

TIME

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

9:00– 11:30 AM

Investigating Innovation

Exploring Culture

Investigating Innovation: Guest Lecture

Cultivating Communication

Exploring Culture

LUNCH 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Cultivating Communication

Navigating Projects: From Concept to Completion

Cultivating Communication

Navigating Projects: From Concept to Completion

Investigating Innovation: Design Team Visit

NOTE: the schedule above is provided as a sample and is subject to change.

Evaluation and Certificate (Future Ready)

At the end of the program, students will receive a personalized evaluation and a certificate of program completion from Renison University College at the University of Waterloo.

NOTE: Future Ready is an enrichment program and does not provide advanced standing or credit for university courses.

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

future ready events calendar sample

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.  

Residence (Future Ready)

Our residences are centrally located on the University of Waterloo campus and fill up quickly. The campus is home to Canadian students 12 months of the year. Renison is known for its small, family-like community of students and faculty, making it an ideal place for students to learn.

On-campus residence

  • Two-minute walk to the major student hubs on campus (e.g. Student Life Centre)
  • Upper-year student leaders on each floor to support students
  • Organized activities available

Food in residence

  • Fill your plate up to six times per day at our cafeteria (your meal plan is included if you live in residence)
  • Acknowledging the diverse student population at Renison, our food services team prides itself in offering a wide variety of cuisine from around the world, accommodating a host of dietary restrictions and allergies, and ensuring students have food options that feel like home
  • “My Pantry” is a separate kitchen for residents who want to create their own culinary masterpieces. Ingredients are fully stocked by our cafeteria

Facilities

All students studying in Renison programs have access to Renison’s facilities and student support services to ensure a comfortable and successful educational experience during their time at Renison. Renison’s facilities include cafeteria, library with quiet study space, student study lounges, and multi-faith prayer space.

Dates, fees, and application process (Future Ready)

Dates and fees

Session

Dates International Student Fees Domestic Student Fees

June 2025

June 23 - July 11, 2025

$5200 CAD

$4200

NOTES Students arrive on June 22 and depart on July 12, 2025.

Includes classes, accommodation, meals, on-campus activities and off-campus excursions, supervision in residence and during activities/trips, airport transfers through Airways Transit*, health insurance.

*arrival/departure transportation between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) and Renison University College is included in the program fees for international students if students are arriving/departing on the program arrival/departure dates and if a minimum of 5 students are travelling together.

Includes classes, accommodation, meals, on-campus activities and off-campus excursions, supervision, applicable taxes as required.

NOTE: dates are subject to change : all fees listed are in Canadian dollars (CAD) and are subject to change. Domestic students must reside in Canada. Please note that registration fees including a $375 administrative fee and a $625 tuition deposit are included in the total fees listed above.

International students must purchase University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) coverage regardless of medical coverage from your home country. Dependents (spouse and/or children) must also be enrolled in UHIP upon arrival in Canada for an additional cost. UHIP fees are subject to change September 1 each year. Renison staff will assist with your enrolment.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellations up to 14 days prior to the program start date are eligible for a refund of fees less a $375 non-refundable administrative fee, a $625 non-refundable tuition deposit, and any applicable banking fees.

  • After this date, refunds will not be issued.
  • Notification of cancellation shall be done in writing (please email renison.sace@uwaterloo.ca).

Additional fees (as applicable)

Should any one of the following apply, Renison will charge additional fees:

  • Airport transfers for domestic students or for a registration group of less than 5 international students
  • Airport transfers outside of the program’s arrival/departure dates
  • A Renison representative to meet students at the airport
  • Notarized custodianship declaration forms
  • Extra days in the residence accommodation

Fee

(in CAD)

Airport Transfer through Airways Transit

Approx $170 - $440*

*Applies if less than 5 travelling together, registering as a domestic student, or arriving on different dates.Exact fee is to be determined depending on arrival/departure dates/times and registration information.

Airport Pickup by a Renison Representative

$100*

*Should a Renison representative be required to meet students at the airport (YYZ or YKF).

Notarized Custodianship declaration form

$100

Extra day in residence

$100/day


Application process

Applications are now OPEN for the summer 2025 Future Ready program. Please follow the steps below.

  1. Complete and submit the online application form. As part of the application, you will be required to input the student's information, their parent/guardian’s information, upload a 2 to 3 minute video from the student introducing themselves and sharing why they would like to participate in the program, and upload the completed Code of Conduct and Guardian Consent Form.
  2. Following submission of the application form, an email acknowledgement of submission will be sent.
  3. Our team will review your application details, including your video upload, and make a formal admissions decision.
  4. You will be notified via e-mail (to the student's email address) of the admissions decision for your application.
  5. If accepted, you will be instructed to pay your registration fees ($375 non-refundable administrative fee and a $625 non-refundable tuition deposit*); you will also be given instructions about accessing your Renison Student Portal account. 
  6. Once your registration fees are paid, our team will issue you a Letter of Acceptance accessible through your student portal account.
  7. Remaining fees will be invoiced and due two weeks before the program start date.

*Please note that the non-refundable registration fees ($375 administrative fee and $625 tuition deposit) are included in the total fees for the program; see above.

If you have questions about your application or about the application process, please contact renison.sace@uwaterloo.ca.