Learn Overseas

Kiran Ambwani

International Seminar
Six weeks to change your life …

The International Seminar is designed to give Canadian university and college students their first in-depth experience in a developing country. A group of 20 Canadian and 20 host country students engage in meaningful collaborative projects in a selected development sector under the guidance of Internship Coordinators. The projects support the work of local partner organizations in the host country and Seminar participants share their experience on campuses and in their communities’ through public engagement activities. Since 2004, the International Seminar has been offered through the Uniterra program.

2010 International Seminar: “Sustainable Forests and Livelihoods” in Nepal.

Dates: May 24- July 2nd 2010.
Deadline to apply: November 6th, 2009

Program overview
The program includes a one week pre-departure orientation in Ottawa, an in-country orientation, a short-term field projects component and other program activities and concludes with a few days of presentations and debriefing. The projects undertaken will focus on Sustainable Forests and Livelihoods in Nepal. Accommodation may range from host families to university residences. After the Seminar, participants carry out public engagement activities through presentations, on-line reports and multi-media productions.

Conditions
The program covers the following elements: in Canada pre-departure orientation, return travel to host country, accommodation, meals, medical insurance and in-country travel. However, Canadian participants must contribute $3 000 each to cover a portion of their total Seminar costs. Participants will be given tips and tools to undertake their community contribution campaign.

Selection criteria
Candidates must:

• Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents;
• Be currently registered at a Canadian university or college;
• Be returning to a Canadian post-secondary institution in the Fall following the Seminar;
• Be fluent in English (French is an asset);
• Have a demonstrated interest in development issues and be willing to carry-out public engagement activities;
• Have a demonstrated interest in the host country and region;
• Not have participated in an international youth exchange similar to the seminar; 
• Have a good academic record;
• Be medically fit.

Assets
The chances of selection will be improved if the candidates:

• Have contributed significantly to a WUSC Local Committee or an international solidarity group during their studies;
• Have been actively involved in their community.