International Peer Community

Meet new people, build your support network and learn about Canada

The International Peer Community (IPC) is a peer-support program aimed at helping 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.

Registrations are now closed for fall 2023. Please check back later for winter 2024 registration.

group of students

How does the program work?

When you join the IPC, you'll get invited to monthly community events where you can meet other international students and upper-year volunteers . You’ll build meaningful connections with students from different countries, cultures and faculties that you might not usually meet on campus through monthly events. Upper-year volunteers can help you navigate challenges and answer questions about life in Canada, the University of Waterloo and so much more.

When you submit your registeration form, you can choose to opt in to get matched with other students in a smaller group where small gatherings are held by volunteers twice a month. During the term, you can stay connected by attending various social events designed for both small and large groups. Here are some examples of the monthly community events we hosted in the past term:

Meet and Greet – Mini Carnival
Team Slam Down
Bonfire Night
Outdoor Games

Who is it for?

All international students including undergraduates, graduates and exchange students are welcome to apply.

International students may identify as:

study permit holders,
having attended high school internationally,
new to Canadian culture, or
English language leaners.

I am a domestic student but would love to be part of IPC. Can I apply?

Yes, you can still apply to be an IPC member!

What are the small group biweekly gatherings and why should I opt in for that?

If you opt in for a small group, you will be assigned to a group with 2 upper year volunteers and get invited to the exclusive small group biweekly gatherings. Below are some gatherings that have been held in the past:

Kitchener market
Hiking
Swimming
Movie night
Boardgame night
KW Multicultural festival

I am not interested in being part of a small group. Can I only take part in the monthly community events?

Yes, you can! Everyone is welcome to be part of our. monthly community events. You can select the option in the registration form.

How do I apply?

Registration for the fall term is now closed. Follow our Instagram account to stay connected and learn about winter registration.

Please note: Registrations to participate closed on Friday, September 22 at noon. However, if you missed the deadline, you are still welcome to join our Monthly Community Events, which are promoted on our IPC Instagram account and International Student Connection Newsletter. Applications for leadership roles are typically posted every March, July and November. 

Why participants/volunteers recommend it

Karen

"I joined IPC in fall 2021. It is easy to connect with others having the same interests as you and IPC hosts events like paint night, karaoke night and bonfire. IPC will be a great start of your university life to meet more people on campus, improve your personal skills with volunteers and gain networking opportunities. And most importantly, it makes your university life so much better” - Karen (she/her), 2022 volunteer and Community Leader, Health Sciences undergrad student from Vietnam.

Keerthi

"IPC has an important distinction factor where I can meet and interact with students, who are ethnically diverse and multicultural. It is also a common platform for every student who comes out of their social circles and gets together with other students with different lifestyles and traditions. Activities such as Halloween Cookie Decorations and Therapy Dogs for destressing are completely new and interesting for me. These kinds of occasions were unheard of in our country of origin. I recommend IPC because of its exciting events and because it gives every international student a great opportunity to develop strong networks with other students from other programs that are happening around the campus.” - Keerthi (he/him), 2022 member and 2023 volunteer, Electrical and Computer Engineering master student from India.

Manthan

“My motivation to join IPC was the opportunity to connect with individuals from various cultural backgrounds and interact with them to share each other's way of life. I liked the fun gathering that took place whenever there was an event on campus. If you want to widen your international network and if you are a people person, then IPC is the best platform you can possibly get.” -Manthan (he/him), 2022 and 2023 volunteer, Electrical and Computer Engineering master student from India.