International Peer Community

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

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.

Please note: During COVID-19 online programming is available. Join our Facebook group to stay connected and learn more.

Students talking.

How does the program work?

With spring term online, you can stay home and stay connected. Each week IPC will host a series of events that you can join:

Mondays - Coffee Chats
Tuesdays - Tech Talks
Wednesdays - Ted Circles and contests
Thursdays - Games
Fridays - Foodie Friday

When you join the International Peer Community you'll be connected to other international students and have upper-year volunteers supporting you. They can help you navigate questions like course selection, how to make an appointment with Health Services and so much more.

Join our Facebook group to get involved. It's that easy.

Who is it for?

All international students including undergraduate, graduate, and exchange students are welcome to apply.

International students may identify as:

study permit holders,
having attended high school internationally,
being new to Canadian culture, or
developing their English language skills.

How do I apply?

Participants: Join our Facebook group to get connected.

Volunteers: Email the coordinator, Hayley McDonald, to get started.

Why participants recommend it

Muhammad Saad. “Being a student is difficult and being an international student has its own challenges. These challenges mainly involve language and culture differences, but IPC is a perfect opportunity - an invisible hand of guidance that helped me transition to this new culture. It also provided me the avenue to make amazing and long lasting friends during the initial period. All in all, if you are an international student, IPC is the place to start off.” - Muhammad, winter 2019 participant, Engineering student from Pakistan

Rafael with his peer group. "You'll find some of your very first friends in Canada in this community. Moreover, the Community Leaders and Group Facilitators will be more than happy to help your transition by arranging some fun activities, providing tips about the university, student life, etc. This community was very significant during my transition period (i.e. first campus term) and I'm grateful to be the part of it!" - Rafael, fall 2018 participant, Engineering student from Indonesia