An enthusiastic group of students gather together for our Fall 2025 Conversation Partner Program Meet-up.
Annually, Renison provides meaningful intercultural volunteer experiences for students participating in Waterloo's GLIDE (Global Learning, Intercultural Development, and Engagement) certificate. Previously known as the Global Experience Certificate (GEC), this certificate credentializes a student's intercultural experiences at the University of Waterloo. To earn the certificate, students must engage in intercultural workshops, submit a reflection, build an ePortfolio, and participate in some form of an intercultural volunteer experience (or IVE).
For the past several years, Renison has provided numerous opportunities for students to earn their IVE, including the Conversation Partner Program, ELI Peer Helper (previously BASE and GEAR Peer Helper) programs, International Social Volunteers, and Language and Culture Corner volunteers.
From Fall 2018 to Spring 2025, 249 students completed the GLIDE (previously Global Experience) certificate program. From these 249 students, a total of 175 students completed their intercultural volunteer experience by engaging in a Renison volunteer experience.
That means 70% of the program's participants completed their IVE with Renison!
This is just one clear example of how Renison University College cultivates intercultural learning and promotes global engagement opportunities for the University of Waterloo community.
Last month, 18 students recently completed the ELI Peer Helper volunteer program, and an additional 75 students are now enrolled this term in our Conversation Partner Program.
So, how are you building your intercultural skills?
Individuals with a higher level of intercultural competence communicate more effectively, build stronger relationships, and contribute to greater innovation across organizations.
Learn about Student Experience and Housing's volunteer experiences by visiting our Student Leadership Opportunities webpage.
As a University of Waterloo student, you can also take part in Renison's Intercultural Training modules online on LEARN to get a head-start in enhancing your intercultural skills.
How to enroll in the Online Intercultural Training
- Visit the LEARN website at learn.uwaterloo.ca
- Log in with your WatIAM credentials (your Quest account information)
- Click the "Self Registration" link in the toolbar menu.
- Search "Renison Intercultural Training" in the list of course options and click the link.
- Click the "Register" button on the next page.
- Click the "Submit" button on the next page.
- Click the "Finish" button on the next page.
- Click "Go to course offering Renison Intercultural Training".
- Click the "Access the Renison Intercultural Training" button on the homepage.
- Begin the training!