Powering Change: Innovating Accessible International Work-Integrated Learning (iWIL) with Focus on Intercultural Competencies and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Post-Pandemic Environments

Well-prepared students are powerful change agents, both locally and globally. From September 2021 – March 2025, through lenses of intercultural effectiveness competency development and advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, students who are Indigenous, have disability needs or traditionally face barriers of low-income will undertake 65+ transformational iWIL experiences via established and new international partner social enterprises, private companies, and not-for-profits located in 20+ non-traditional destinations. In keeping with Waterloo’s strategic plan, Powering Change will enable future-ready talent to realize their fullest potential through rich iWIL experiences, and where outcomes of innovative programming will be shared with the larger community.