As the University of Waterloo’s international student population grows, our new student transition strategy has evolved to go beyond relaying traditional new student information to focusing on answering Canadian lifestyle questions and cultivating community.
Even during COVID-19, it’s not just about applying for study permits and academic
preparedness, it’s also about learning Canadian currency, grocery shopping and getting your driver’s license. But, what’s the value? In the session, I’ll share why we chose this approach, what the effects have been, and what we’ve learned from integrating it into two key projects:
- International Student Guide
- International Live Chats
Spoiler alert! The result has been high engagement from students and staff, as well as a Case District II Award.