The International Peer Community is a peer-support program aimed at helping new international students settle in and feel at home at the University of Waterloo. Through community based activities, the program helps students to build a support network, develop a sense of community and intercultural competencies, enhance interactional skills, and learn about Canada and other cultures.
“Moving to Waterloo during a pandemic seemed like a daunting task especially with all the social distancing restrictions. Finding IPC definitely helped soften the shock associated with moving to a new place by fostering an environment with other international students like me to connect and build friendships. IPC always had fun, new, interactive, and educational events that not only remedied my boredom but also helped me better understand life in Canada!” - Mercy Ombogo, 2021 participant, Engineering PhD student from Kenya
“IPC has been my go-to place for fun and companionship. Coming to Canada from Nepal without any friends and during the time of social distancing, was a tough task. IPC has made it easier. I found my first friends here in IPC, and quite diverse at that. I tend to enjoy even the simplest of the IPC events with big smile on my face. Naming the team is my favorite part in the IPC events. Sometimes it’s Japanese, sometimes it’s German. I tend to get confused between Spanish and Portuguese. I like to experience our differences and celebrate them. It’s a nice experience and I can suggest anyone joining UWaterloo to put “Join and Celebrate IPC” at the top of their to-do list.” - Sulav Shrestha, 2021 participant, Engineering Master’s student from Nepal
"As an international student in my final year, IPC was the first program I joined. My journey from being a participant, volunteer, and finally to a Community Leader was truly enriching. Being an international student is a challenge in itself, but everyone at IPC is super welcoming. This pandemic has truly affected our ability to interact and indulge in different cultural experiences, however, none of us have let it affect us. Over the term, we have formed a close-knit bond. It is rewarding to know the impact you are creating in building a sense of community completely virtually." – Pratibha Muthukumarasamy, 2021 Community Leader, Environment undergrad student from India
“Even though I joined IPC halfway through my studies, I still had a lot of fun meeting new people and making new friends. Pre-covid we had the chance to go skating and do other outdoor activities. Nowadays, the gatherings are virtual but are still as fun. The volunteers are amazing and go above and beyond to create a safe, inclusive, and fun atmosphere.” - Kareem Mostafa, 2021 participant, Engineering PhD from Egypt
“I became a Community Leader within the International Peer Community (IPC) in April 2021, and I can honestly express that I will take away countless experiences, social skills, and friendships upon retiring from my role. To say that IPC fosters a positive atmosphere is an understatement, and there is no other community that I could envision myself learning and growing with in the way I have thus far with other IPC staff and student leaders. I take pride in being part of the welcoming community that IPC has to offer, for not only international students, but student-staff as well. When students can safely return to campus, I’ll be so excited to be greeted by the wonderful leaders who make IPC possible!” - Maddi Taylor, 2021 Community Leader, Communication Studies undergrad student from Canada
"Being an international student can be tough especially after the pandemic with all the border restrictions. Being a volunteer at IPC helped me create a community and meet a lot of other international students. We had all kinds of events online from playing games such as skibbl.io to watching movies together. After all of this, the cherry on top of the cake is that you get to learn about so many different cultures!" - Mayukh, 2021 volunteer, Physics undergrad student from India
