Your February 2023 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.
Meet Western's International Learning Team
Western International’s International Learning team is focused on collaborating with international partners and the Western community to develop, promote, and support a broad range of activities that cultivate global-ready graduates, and a community of internationally engaged faculty and staff.
Our programs and services support students going abroad on exchange, study abroad, research, internship, faculty-led programs, and other experiences, as well as engaging in international and intercultural learning at home. We also provide safety abroad-related support for students, faculty and staff on travel registry compliance, pre-departure training and International SOS services.
The team also helps support incoming exchange and visiting students, as well as faculty and staff who coordinate international learning programs.
Learn more about our team members and their roles – and please reach out to us with any questions. We are here to help!
"Every meeting, I learned something about Canadian society and Western. There is no syllabus about learning about a new society; I needed to live in it and experience it.
I have great memories and friends from this program."
- Luis Ramon Tejero Vallenas
Program Spotlight: Tea and Information Sessions for Spouses
Moving to a new country can be exciting but challenging for family members of international students. Spouses and partners of international students are invited to join weekly Tea and Information Sessions, where they can find support as they settle into their new lives in Canada.
These drop-in sessions are informal gatherings where participants can connect with fellow newcomers, practice their English and learn from each other and from Western International staff about Canadian culture.
Western's World's Challenge Challenge Final Competition
Join us for Western’s World’s Challenge Challenge Final Competition and hear some big ideas our student teams have to address some of the world’s biggest problems. Ten teams will present their pitches to a panel of academic leaders for the chance to win prizes and the opportunity to represent Western at the Global Final in June.
A networking reception with refreshments will follow the competition.
Wednesday, March 22, 4-7 pm, Thames Hall Atrium
Global Undergraduate Awards 2023
Do you know an undergraduate student who completed outstanding coursework this year? Encourage them to submit it to The Global Undergraduate Awards, the world’s largest pan-discipline academic awards program that identifies leading creative thinkers through their undergraduate coursework.
It's free to enter and they could earn international recognition and a trip to Dublin, Ireland for the UA Global Summit!
Deadline to submit is June 7
Opportunities with Academics Without Borders
Call for Proposals:
Academics without Borders (AWB) is looking to develop and support projects that enable volunteer experts to engage in capacity-building activities at institutions of higher education in low or middle-income countries.
Submission deadline: March 17, 2023
Volunteer Opportunity:
In partnership with AWB, Karatina University is seeking a volunteer to provide expertise on the development of its Internationalization Strategy for 2023-2027, which will infuse international and comparative perspectives throughout the university's teaching, research, and community outreach.
Submission deadline: March 21, 2023
Western Heads East 2023 Student Conference
"Approaching Global Health at Home: Equity, Challenges, and Health for Refugees in Canada" is a student-led conference that will provide participants opportunities to learn about key international humanitarian issues, connect to a community of active global citizens, and stand in solidarity with refugees and newcomers in Canada. The program will feature keynote speakers and a case competition.
March 19, 11 am to 3 pm, International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium
Did you know?
Our advising team offers a variety of information sessions and workshops for students, faculty and staff year-round, including:
- Hosting Visiting Research Only (VRO) Students: Everything Supervisors Need to Know, March 28 or April 25
- Income Tax Information Sessions for International Students, March and April
Watch for details on our social channels and our event calendar.
If you have ideas, suggestions or opportunities with an international focus to share, please let us know at wicomms@uwo.ca.
