Who May Apply? Any student registered to take courses at UW may apply, including students registered by UW, Renison, and St. Jerome's. Grebel students and students associated with St. Paul's are also eligible to apply.
Do I have to declare a specific major to be in the Beyond Borders program? No. Beyond Borders is open to all academic plans at UW. We've had engineering, science, kinesiology, geography, history, religious studies, sexuality, marriage, and family studies (SMF), and math students in the program.
How do I contact Beyond Borders? You may contact the director, Joanne Benham Rennick .
May I speak to former Beyond Borders students? Yes, please contact Joanne Benham Rennick to set up a meeting.
I'm graduating next summer, may I still participate? Yes, but only in limited circumstances. Please contact Joanne Benham Rennick for details.
When is a good time to do Beyond Borders? Normally, we encourage students to do their placements between their third and fourth years. The ideal sign-up time is during the winter term of your second year.
Is there a co-op option? Yes. Please contact Joanne Benham Rennick for details.
I have an internship requirement in my major, may I use Beyond Borders? In general, the answer is "yes." However, there are majors that have specific requirements that won't work with the Beyond Borders program. Peace and Conflict Studies is particularly well suited to the Beyond Borders program. Contact Joanne Benham Rennick for details.
How much does the Beyond Borders program cost? The personal, "out of pocket" contribution is $1,400. This amount is due in September. Of course, the "real cost" of the program is much more than this-on average, it's around $6,000-$6,500. To offset the $4,600 difference ($6,000-$1,400). The St. Jerome's Development Office will lead students in a fundraising project that yields $2,000-$2,900 per student (the exact amount is announced in Fall). This SJU directed fundraising initiative runs from September to March. The remaining costs of the program are covered by St. Jerome's University, which provides an additional $2,000-$2,500 per student.
What is included in the cost of Beyond Borders? Return flight, accommodations, homestay, health insurance, and local transportation to and from work. Tuition is not covered in this amount.
My parents are concerned about my safety. What does Beyond Borders do to monitor the safety of students? The Beyond Borders program takes student safety very seriously. However, it is impossible to guarantee the safety of any student. We do take the following steps to make the Beyond Borders program as safe as possible: (1) Regular monitoring of local placements with the help of our program partners, who have representatives in the placement area; (2) Rigorous pre-departure seminar on safety issues and protocols; (3) Registration with the Registration of Canadians Abroad.
What is the interview process like? The interview lasts 20-30 minutes. It's not a formal business interview. Rather, it's an opportunity for students to talk about why they are interested in an experience like this, what prior experiences students may have had to help prepare them for the program, and what their expectations are for this kind of work. It's also an opportunity for Beyond Borders staff to answer questions and communicate the objectives of the program.
