Student experience blogs

Leading the International Study Course trip class through three days of cultural exploration in Hong Kong, the Marketing and Culture team reflects on the breathtaking sights, delicious food and vibrant culture they were able to immerse themselves in when they weren't in meetings with leaders of global businesses, building life-long memories in the process.

Having recently returned from the spring International Study Course trip to Hong Kong, the Meals and Logistics team reflects on their experience working behind the scenes to keep the trip running smoothly from coordinating travel plans, restaurants, meeting times and everything in between.

Three SAF students — Diana, Leo, and Franco — served as the Marketing and Culture team for the International Study Course trip to Singapore this spring. From their first moments on the island, they were struck by how seamlessly Singapore blends innovation with tradition. In this blog, they share their impressions of the city and the highlights that made the experience unforgettable.

The Corporate Relations Team for the recent International Study Course trip to Hong Kong shares their strategy for connecting with professionals and how they remained positive throughout the process despite the rejections and unanswered messages.

Transitioning from high school to university, Alina carried the same mindset that once defined her idea of success, but that approach quickly led to burnout. She realized that to her, success isn't about meeting impossible expectations, it's about having the courage to choose what's right for you, even when the path looks different from others. 

When Alina first started her post-secondary career, she was terrified of networking events. But with the encouragement from friends, teammates and professors, she slowly built the confidence to put herself out there.

This growth followed her to her first co-op role, where asking questions and making connections helped her learn, build relationships, and truly enjoy the experience. 

As a new term rolls around, so do new opportunities. As second year students get ready for co-op applications, it can be incredibly nerve-wracking. SAF's annual Co-op Ready Conference helps to provide students with valuable, actionable advice that is useful for creating outstanding resumes and captivating cover letters, as well as how to ace interviews and network to get your name out there. 

Networking via email doesn’t have to feel awkward. Learn practical tips for writing three essential types of emails every student should know: the cold email, the post-interview thank-you, and the post-offer thank-you.

Five SAF students—Luka, Jai, Hemadri, Charlene, and Josh—advanced to the CFA Institute Investment Research Challenge Global Finals, competing against the best students from 1,000+ universities worldwide.

Backed by months of research and industry insights, their confident “buy” recommendation for BRP showcased adaptability, teamwork, and resilience, earning them a top-tier finish on the global stage.

In January, our team of third-year students, Michelle, Madison, Jaiden, and Bonita, had the exciting opportunity to represent the University of Waterloo at the ACHIEVE Case Competition in Toronto! 

In January, Gurpartap, Leo, Brishank, and Franco—second-year Accounting and Financial Management students—participated in the Eclipse Case Competition at the University of Toronto.

The competition brought together students from across Ontario to solve business challenges in four streams: Sales Management, ESG Strategy, Technology, and Entrepreneurship. Read on to learn about their experience competing in the Technology stream!

Accounting and Financial Management students Ian, Luka, and Chiranjeev reflect on their experience competing in the Toronto Metropolitan University’s annual Battle on Bay case competition. They secured a second-place position at this three-day event, comprised of various networking events, pitches and socials which concluded with an awards ceremony and gala dinner.   

In November, Arnav, Anmol, Aidan, Joanna, Kabir and Luka, had the opportunity to represent the School of Accounting and Finance and University of Waterloo at the ACIIC Fall Stock Pitch Competition. This competition is an intercollegiate stock pitch competition among 10 of the biggest business programs in Canada including schools like Western University, Queens University and University of British Columbia. 

In January, a team of Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) students—Luka (3B), Michael (3B), Arnav (2B), and Jasmine (2B)—achieved a remarkable victory, securing first place at the National Investment Banking Competition (NIBC) in Vancouver. Competing against more than 300 teams from 16 countries, they showcased their exceptional financial skills on the global stage and took home the prestigious $10,000 grand prize. 

In the Sustainability and Financial Management (SFM) program, students don't just study sustainability, they practice it.

The SFM program proudly teams up with Sustainable Waterloo Region for an annual tree planting event, bringing together students and staff to help plant micro-forests that enhance biodiversity and inspire environmental stewardship in our local community. 

Through this hands-on, collaborative experience, they learn the true value of sustainability from the ground up.

Gabriel, Ish, Akshat, and Ansaar reflect on their experience at the 2024 Business Valuation Challenge, where they tackled the art of balancing technical aspects with clear, client-focused communication.

Luka and Josh (AFM students) secured 3rd place at the Boston Stock Pitch Competition, impressing judges with their "buy" recommendation of Pet Valu backed by extensive research. They credit SAF extracurriculars with helping to prepare them for the competition and emphasize the value of learning from peers, alumni, and competition experiences.

In this blog, the AFM 334 International Study Course class shares their experience travelling to the tech-bustling city of New York during reading week.

In this blog, our International Study Course class shares their experiences, from culture to business, during their trip to Japan and reflects on them.

These students, divided into three subteams — Marketing & Culture, Corporate Relations, and Meals & Logistics — have particular roles and responsibilities which ensure the class can become immersed in a new culture, meet with company executives from various industries, and gain insight into the world of global business operations.

The Corporate Relations Team for the upcoming International Study Course trip to South Korea shares their process for connecting with and setting up meetings with companies that are sure to provide the group with valuable insights into various industries.

In honour in National Volunteer Week, Michelle shares her experience tree planting on campus.

Jaiden, John, and Thamirah, students at the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF), recently competed at the ACHIEVE Case Competition, and placed SECOND!

We are a team of Accounting and Financial Management students from the University of Waterloo who had the opportunity to participate in this exciting Eclipse Case Competition open for undergraduate students across Ontario. Our team, consisting of Mohammad, Robert, Bryce, and Nathan, had an incredible time at the competition, and we’re excited to share our experience with you.