Program Requirements

Participant Selection: For details, contact Joanne Benham Rennick (Director, Beyond Borders, 519-884-8111 ext. 28299).
Intellectual Training: Participants receive academic and practical training to prepare them for their immersion experience, to facilitate mutual relations locally, and to help participants reflect on their term abroad.
- Courses at the University of Waterloo [RS 283 (formerly RS 256), RS 383 (formerly RS 263), RS 398]
- Seminars presented by Beyond Borders
Immersion Experience: The work placement is primarily about creating opportunities for daily contact with people from other cultures, fostering mutual understanding, and helping local partner organizations fulfill their community mandate. All participants will have a home-stay arranged for them.
- Placements: WUSC, and St. Jerome's Placements
Reflection: An important component in the Beyond Borders project is critical reflection. Participants will be asked to think about their experiences abroad. This is an opportunity to develop theory from practice.
Re-integration: Participants will go through a re-integration process shortly after their return. This will enable participants to express their joys and frustrations and to share their experiences with others. Participants will then be encouraged to speak at public events about their experiences in the Beyond Borders program.

COURSEWORK: Students must complete three courses with a minimum mark of 65% in each course:
a) RS 283 (formerly RS 256) - Current Ethical Issues
b) RS 383 (formerly RS 263) - Justice, Peace and Development
c) RS 398 (or another directed readings/independent student course if pre-arranged with Beyond Borders)*
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC STANDING: Students must maintain a minimum level of "satisfactory standing" at UW. No student will be allowed to continue in the program if on academic probation or drops below the faculty's minimum standards. Faculty minimums vary, so students should consult their respective faculties for details.
BEYOND BORDERS SEMINARS: Students must commit to participating fully in an orientation seminar in the fall (usually in September), at least one seminar in the winter (usually in mid-January), and a re-integration seminar in the summer (usually in August). These seminars will be led by Beyond Borders staff.
Pre-departure medical evaluations should be completed during the first term of the program. Group work on fundraising a portion of the costs and finalization of travel documents should be completed in the term immediately preceding international departure.

*Peace and Conflict Studies students may choose to obtain this credit through the PACS 390 Field Studies Course. For more information please see the Peace and Conflict Studies Program.

Beyond Borders is an international experience that qualifies for the Global Experience Certificate.

Application