Strategic Initiatives

Supporting International Students

The current global pandemic has made this time very challenging for all of us, but especially for international students who are facing unique trials right now as a result of the pandemic, including travel restrictions and stressors associated with obtaining a study permit, paying for their studies in Canada, or being isolated from their support network and families.

We are committed to support our UWindsor International Lancer family, even when we are required to be physically distant from one another. To address these challenges, we have developed three distinctive initiatives to help our international students:

We are committing an additional $500,000 to our International Student Emergency Relief Fund. This fund will support international students in Canada who are facing financial hardship though lost wages and work as the result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This fund provides one-time payments up to $2,500 for eligible international students.

International students are encouraged to apply by submitting a UWin Award Application available at: UWin Award Application

We recognize that international students are eager to gain Canadian work experience, which has become exceptionally challenging as the result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To address this problem, we are increasing the number of opportunities for international students to participate in Ignite, our on-campus paid experiential learning and skills development program. Participants apply their skills and knowledge in an authentic work setting and are exposed to workplace demands; develop career-related competencies; and receive direct supervision, mentorship, and feedback by one or more faculty or staff members.

International students can learn more about Ignite online at: Ignite Work Study

Co-operative education is a bridge between employers, students and the university and benefits everyone involved. Co-op allows students to participate in valuable learning experiences, an opportunity to expand their knowledge and to practice the latest theories and approaches in a particular discipline, develop employment skills, and explore career options - all helping prepare them for the next stage of their lives. As a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic many co-operative education placements have disappeared. To address this fact, we are providing financial support to Faculties and Departments to provide on-campus co-operative education placements for eligible international students who cannot secure a placement in the marketplace.

For more information or to learn more about co-operative education at UWindsor, please see: Coop, Workplace, and Partnerships


For more information, please contact:

Office of Enrolment Management
University of Windsor
avpem@uwindsor.ca
future.uwindsor.ca