Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of a university course?
Ella, an Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) student, had the opportunity to explore that question firsthand as a Special Projects Assistant in the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) Fellowship Program.
When Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) student Scarlett attended a Waterloo open house as a future student, a SOAP Ambassador helped her imagine what life at the School of Accounting and Finance could be.
Now, through the Fellowship Program, she’s on the other side of the table — sharing her own experiences with prospective students and helping them see what's possible.
What started as a way for Aarya to "get involved and meet people" as a first-year SFM student evolved into one of the most meaningful parts of her undergraduate experience.
Through the SAF Outreach and Ambassador Program (SOAP) and the Fellowship Program, she discovered how mentorship, leadership, and genuine community connection can shape not just your career path—but your confidence and sense of direction.
From river cruises in Frankfurt to boardroom discussions with global firms, our International Study Course (AFM 334) team's recent trip to Germany challenged them to bring their classroom knowledge to life and make the most of this unique study experience.
While real-world corporate meetings initially felt daunting, the team reflects on how their creative preparation methods turned each session into an opportunity for learning — from Digital Euro at the European Central Bank to credit risk at Munich Re.
In his final year of the Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) program, Joel P. took on a Research Assistant role through the SAF Fellowship Program where he had the opportunity to explore one of today’s fastest-evolving spaces: artificial intelligence (AI).
Analyzing and comparing AI tools alongside Professor Efrim Boritz, Joel's experience was defined by open-ended problem-solving and the kind of ownership rarely found in a classroom. He reflects on how the role shaped his academic and professional path, and why his advice to first-years is simple: you have more time than you think.
From coordinating corporate visits with global firms to navigating train schedules across Germany, the Winter 2026 International Study Course (AFM334) trip to Germany was powered by School of Accounting and Finance students taking on different responsibilities behind the scenes.
While each team entered the trip with clearly defined roles, the experience quickly became one of collaboration, quick thinking and supporting one another through unexpected twists and turns.
Third-year Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) student Emma shares how a coffee chat through the SAF Fellowship Program led her to a research assistant role with Professor Tim Bauer — and changed how she thinks about her future.
Working in audit experimental research, she found that the RA experience offered more than just skills: it gave her a new understanding of how knowledge is created and made academia feel like a real, personal option.
The Fall 2025 AFM 334 International Study Course class explored New York City through iconic landmarks, cultural experiences, and meetings with leading firms across finance, media, and law. From Times Square and Broadway to Wall Street and the NYSE, the trip blended sightseeing with real-world business insights.
Read their blog for a behind-the-scenes look at how students navigated and learned in the Concrete Jungle.
AFM 334's study trip to New York City took a turn when the first stop on their list was cancelled due to a coastal flood warning.
This unexpected change in plans turned out to be a blessing in disguise, leading to one of the most memorable experiences of the whole trip.
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.