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.

Latest Publications

Opinion

A trading nation needs a globally engaged workforce

Canadian businesses need to work harder to remain competitive, globally relevant, and accessible. A large part of that is having access to the right talent.
Newsletter

Global Horizons #8 – Kicking off 2024

Our social media blitz, two op-eds, the launch of our Alumni Hub and much, much more.
Opinion

Sending more students abroad will help Canada navigate a changing world

A more unpredictable world presents Canada with serious challenges, but also new opportunities.