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Renison's Conversation Partner Program (CPP)

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Renison's Conversation Partner Program (CPP)

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Join the Renison Conversation Partner Program and connect weekly with a UWaterloo student for an intercultural learning experience. Share your interests so you can be matched with a compatible partner.

It’s a great way to practice communication skills, learn about different cultures, and build meaningful connections on campus.

How to join:
• Register on the website or scan the QR code.
• Registration deadline: Sunday, January 18

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Conversation Partner Program - Winter 2026 (1)

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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R) | Student Ambassador Program | UWaterloo

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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R) | Student Ambassador Program | UWaterloo

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Join the EDI-R Student Ambassador Program and help shape the conversation on campus! Ambassadors share student perspectives, highlight equity and anti-racism issues, and get involved in projects, events, and campaigns that build a more inclusive community.

Benefits:

$150 gift card honorarium (subject to tax)

Leadership and advocacy experience

Opportunities to learn and contribute to meaningful EDI-R initiatives

Who can apply:
Open to all UWaterloo students — no prior experience required.

Apply online: Applications for Winter 2025 are now closed but keep an eye out for future terms.

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Become an EDI-R student ambassador | Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism | University of Waterloo

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Learn more about our EDI-R student ambassador program and apply today.

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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 open for the winter 2025 term! Register here.

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. 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 registration form, you can choose to opt in to get matched with other students in a smaller group twice a month.

During the term, you can stay connected by attending various social events designed for both small and large groups like meet and greets, bonfire nights and outdoor games.

Why join IPC?

Here's what students are saying

Embrace the diversity around you, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone while finding community.

Pallavi, international student from New Delhi, India

Pallavi

Pallavi is a student from New Delhi, India, who came to Canada to study in UWaterloo's Honours Arts and Business program. During her first days at Waterloo, she noticed many events that invited students to connect with others. Here, she discovered many groups like the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) and IPC. She urges everyone to embrace diversity around them, and especially cherish moments connecting with others as a member of the student community. "Embrace the diversity around you, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone while finding community in those around you."
See full instagram post

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.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Contact us

Please email ise@uwaterloo.ca with any questions or concerns.

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International Peer Community | International Experience | University of Waterloo

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Get involved with the International Peer Community

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International Student Experience - Orientation volunteer

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International Student Experience - Orientation volunteer

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Contact ise@uwaterloo.ca

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International Student Experience - Programs

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World University Service of Canada | Local Committee | UWaterloo 

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World University Service of Canada | Local Committee | UWaterloo 

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Join the UWaterloo Local Committee of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) — an international development organization that supports refugee students through the Student Refugee Program (SRP). This on-campus role offers students the opportunity to engage directly in building a welcoming, inclusive, and cross-cultural community for newcomers. Volunteers help facilitate the social, educational, and financial integration of refugee students hosted at the university colleges. A meaningful way to support intercultural understanding and community-based global impact — right here at home.

Contact: michelle.metzger@uwaterloo.ca

View some of the opportunities available

Click here to access the application form

For more information about this organization and their work, follow this link.
Ongoing | Open to all UWaterloo students | Hosted at UW University Colleges

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Application Deadline: February 22nd, 2026

Description:
Applications are now open for SJU in Peru, an impactful service-learning experience open to all students at University of Waterloo. This program combines academic learning with cultural immersion and community engagement.

Participants will take part in a Fall 2026 on-campus course, complete orientation and pre-departure training, and travel to Peru for a 10-day experiential learning trip during Fall Reading Week 2026. During the trip, students will learn from Café Femenino, a women-led Fair Trade coffee cooperative, while engaging in meaningful cultural exchange and community learning.

Program Includes:

Fall 2026 on-campus course

Orientation and pre-departure training

10-day trip to Peru during Fall Reading Week 2026

Cultural immersion and service learning experience

Eligibility:
Open to all University of Waterloo students.

Apply:
uwaterloo.ca/st-jeromes/sju-peru

Contact for More Information:

Michelle Metzger: michelle.metzger@uwaterloo.ca

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information about St. Jerome’s SJU in Peru service-learning program

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Contact eli@uwaterloo.ca

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Learn English through culture

General English at Renison (GEAR) is an interactive 4-week language program that gives you an opportunity to improve your English skills while you experience Waterloo Region and the University of Waterloo. Through approximately 100 program hours, you will develop the language skills and strategies to confidently communicate in many situations.

With classes such as presentation skills and cultural studies, you will have the opportunity to practice your English while experiencing the culture of the region and learning about advancements in many areas of local society.

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General English at Renison (GEAR) | English Language Institute | University of Waterloo

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General English at Renison (GEAR) is an interactive 4-week language program that gives you an opportunity to improve your English skills while you experience Wa

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WUSA's International and Canadian Student Network - Volunteers

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WUSA's International and Canadian Student Network - Volunteers

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International and Canadian Student Network

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About ICSN The International & Canadian Student Network is a WUSA student-run service on campus. We strive to make all local, international and exchange students feel welcome here at the University, and in the Waterloo community. To do that, we run a number of events each term so that you can explore the

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ELI - English Language Institute Peer Leaders

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ELI - English Language Institute Peer Leaders

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Contact eli@uwaterloo.ca

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Do you want to apply to current paid or volunteer opportunities at Renison?

Visit the News page on our Homepage for Current Opportunities.

Our Renison community is proud of the many paid and volunteer leadership opportunities available for students to grow and develop their essential skills. Learn more about the opportunities available throughout the year for our Renison student community.

Meet Your Student Leaders

Renison is proud to have a great team of passionate student leaders available to support our community. Get to know your Renison student leaders by visiting our One-on-One Meet-ups Page.

Peer Leaders

Peer Leaders are paid leadership opportunities at Renison that are perfect for students to strengthen their leadership and intercultural experience. This position is ideal for students with a strong knowledge of campus services and resources, student leadership experience. For roles that support our English language programs at Renison, a solid understanding of the international student experience is also valuable.

Our Peer Leaders must exhibit strong mentorship skills and facilitation experience. They must be positive role models both personally and academically, and exhibit awareness and knowledge of strategies for academic and personal success.

Residence Dons

Primary responsibilities of Residence Dons are to promote a positive sense of community and an environment that is conducive to learning and personal growth. The specific duties include: enforcing residence policies, helping residents adjust to residence life, planning and implementing social activities, and being available to students as a resource for academic and personal issues.
These positions are posted annually in the Winter term and are posted to the Student Experience & Housing News page.
Questions?

Want to build your intercultural skills more?

Other Opportunities at the University of Waterloo...

Do you have a Renison opportunity to add to this page?

Contact:
Ryan Connell, Student Experience & Housing Assistant Director
ryan.connell@uwaterloo.ca
Office: Room 1108 (Renison Ministry Centre)

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Student Leadership Opportunities | Renison Student Experience and Housing | University of Waterloo

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Do you want to apply to current paid or volunteer opportunities at Renison?

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The Conversation Partner Program offered through Renison Student Experience and Housing pairs English language learners with volunteers to provide an intercultural experience through conversation and activities.

As an international student/language learner, you have the opportunity to practice your conversational English outside of the classroom, learn about and explore Canadian culture, and make life-long friends.

As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to learn about various cultures around the world and gain a memorable intercultural experience while helping an international student practice their English. Now is your chance to explore the world even more with your partner and have fun while making a new friend! This program counts towards the Intercultural volunteer experience (IVE) for the Global Experience Certificate (GEC).

PROGRAM DATES AND DEADLINES

ELIGIBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MEETING RESOURCES

Have any questions?

We are happy to help! Connect with Thalia Criollo Guerrero (Student Experience Coordinator) at ren-cpp@uwaterloo.ca .

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Conversation Partner Program | Renison Student Experience and Housing | University of Waterloo

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The Conversation Partner Program offered through Renison Student Experience and Housing pairs English language learners with volunteers to provide an

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Engagement components embedded in APPLS 205R, 304R, and 306R

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From the APPLS 491R course outline: In this course, students will learn foundational knowledge about quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research in applied linguistics. They will gain an understanding of the ethical implications of conducting research, acquire critical thinking skills for assessing the quality of previous research, understand and differentiate between basic descriptive and inferential statistical methods, and use tools and software for qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

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What is Applied Language Studies? | Culture and Language Studies | University of Waterloo

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Integrating a wide range of perspectives, APPLS is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the nature of language.

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K-W Multicultural Centre's Conversational English Program

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K-W Multicultural Centre's Conversational English Program

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Become A Volunteer | Cambridge Food Bank

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Join over 1000 people annually who volunteer with the Cambridge Food Bank. We welcome individuals, groups, corporations, students, internships, and other placements. Help us serve the community by serving participants, picking up food donations, sorting food, or serving on the board or committees. Contact Tara to learn more.

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Ways To Volunteer – The Salvation Army in Canada

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Muslim Food Bank in Kitchener serves humanity to end hunger and food insecurity, and social welfare for people to attain self-reliance.

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The library’s positive impact would not be possible without our volunteers. Their empathy, compassion and generosity creates a stronger, connected community.