Your January 2025 edition
Welcome to the International Insights newsletter, a monthly roundup of news, opportunities and updates with an international focus, curated by Western International for the Western community.
Supports and Resources for Navigating Immigration Changes
There have been a number of changes recently to the international student program in Canada, including a requirement by the Canadian government that requires most international undergraduate and graduate program applicants submit a provincial attestation letter (PAL) as part of the study permit process.
Students seeking assistance in understanding policy changes, reviewing their personal situation, or considering their options for the future, are encouraged to reach out to our international student advisors for support.
Specific questions are not required to have a conversation with an advisor and students can book an online appointment, attend a drop-in session, or participate in one of our Virtual Ask an Advisor drop-in sessions.
Western community members looking for more information are also encouraged to visit Western International's PAL and Study Permit pages or to connect with our advising team. Faculty and staff with questions about the changes can also reach out to Megan Sager, director of international student services, at msager8@uwo.ca.
From left: José Sanders, Rector Magnificus of Radboud University; Penny Pexman, Vice-President (Research) at Western; and Western President Alan Shepard recently met to discuss the Collaboration Fund. (Photo: Dick van Aalst, Radboud University)
Radboud-Western Collaboration Fund 2025-26
Applications for the Radboud-Western Fund for 2024-25 are being accepted until April 7.
Radboud University (The Netherlands) and Western have created a Collaboration Fund to facilitate and support joint initiatives that will strengthen the two universities’ strategic priorities through innovative education as well as multidisciplinary leading-edge research to create academic and societal impact.
The Collaboration Fund encourages proposals for one-year joint projects (up to $25,000 CAD) in the areas of research and learning & teaching (education) as well as opportunities for short-term mobility visits.
Interested in learning more? Come to a virtual information session January 30 at 10:30 am.
Winter International Student Orientation Success
This January, we welcomed a group of more than 150 international and exchange students during our month-long International Student Orientation.
Our hybrid model featured pre-arrival modules and webinars to help prepare students on their journey to Canada and settle in once they arrived. Students were welcomed at our week-long Welcome Centre and invited to attend our in-person events all month.
Olivia Yusuf: Five Things About Me
I am the new Program Coordinator, Student Arrivals and Orientation at Western International.
I am ethnically Chinese-Indonesian, born in Queens, NY, USA, and raised in London, Ontario
I'm one month into my role and I already know that I'm going to love it! Highlights have included working with my new team, welcoming new students and getting to know our student volunteers - it's been fun immersing myself in the Western community!
- I have been fortunate to work with international students over the last seven years, and they hold a special place in my heart. I know how crucial the proper support is to help international students thrive. I'm proud to be part of a team who is committed to seeing them thrive.
- A fun fact about me is that I'm deeply scared of heights but I've been both skydiving and bungee jumping!
Call for Applications: The Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program
Offered by Global Affairs Canada and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program (CCSEP) aims to foster deeper mutual understanding, build strong academic and professional ties between Canada and China, and develop future Canadian leaders with expertise and experience in China.
Who is eligible to apply? Please note only Canadian citizens are eligible.
- Students (undergraduate and graduate)
- Faculty and researchers
- Mid-career professionals
For more information, please consult the program guidelines or contact Scholarships-Admin-
Bourses@international.gc.ca.
Deadline to apply: March 10, 2025, 11:59 pm EDT.
In case you missed it - Lunar New Year 2025 Special: Dinner and a Game
See what happened when we invited some students to join the Lunar New Year celebration with a fun game where they have to defend themselves and trick others into performing their forbidden prompts.
Did you know?
Students interested in adding a global experience to their degrees in the upcoming years still have an opportunity to apply! All international learning opportunities during Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026, and 2025-26 (Full Year) availability will be reopened for applications on February 17, 2025 on Atlas.
If you have ideas, suggestions or opportunities with an international focus to share, please let us know at wicomms@uwo.ca.
