To encourage University of Waterloo domestic students to become globally engaged learners, the University offers undergraduate students the opportunity to obtain a Global Experience Certificate (GEC). By not later than their third academic term (2A), students are required to complete an online Global Experience Certificate Plan outlining how they will complete the following three GEC components:
- three for-credit courses (1.5 units) – see first bullet below
- an international experience
- cross-cultural volunteer experience
All three of the following components will be completed during the undergraduate degree program:
- successful completion of two first year, modern, sequential language courses (other than students' native language) plus one course from the Global Studies Course Requirements (with the approval of the Associate Vice-President International or
designate, courses other than those on the approved list may be used to
complete the course component of the certificate.)
- an international experience – exchange, study abroad, work term or volunteer position outside Canada and the US for a minimum of six consecutive weeks
- a volunteer experience in a cross-cultural context, on campus or in the Waterloo Region community, with a minimum duration of 20 hours in one term, during an academic term in which the applicant is registered at Waterloo as a full or part-time student
Once the GEC Plan form has been completed, it must be submitted to the Associate Vice-President International or designate for approval. Successful completion of the certificate components will result in the awarding of a Global Experience Certificate upon graduation. The Global Experience Certificate will be coordinated by Waterloo International. Students are responsible for notifying Waterloo International of any changes to their certificate plan.
For more information on the Global Experience Certificate, please visit Global Experience Certicate, Waterloo International website.