Global Learning, Intercultural Development and Engagement Certificate

Expand your intercultural skills and boost your employability with GLIDE.

What is GLIDE?

The Global Learning, Intercultural Development, and Engagement (GLIDE) certificate enhances your intercultural skills, offers flexible learning options, and allows you to contribute to global goals, all while fitting seamlessly into your existing schedule. GLIDE is designed with inclusivity, accessibility, and flexibility in mind, making it perfect for any graduate or undergraduate, domestic or international student at UݮƵ.

Why should I register for GLIDE?

In today's World, understanding and appreciating diverse cultures is essential. Intercultural competence not only fosters empathy and effective communication but also enhances your critical-thinking skills and personal growth. By connecting intercultural and academic learning, you gain a competitive edge and enrich your educational experience.

Whether you're a business major looking to improve your understanding of global values, an engineering student aiming for innovative solutions within a culturally diverse team, a healthcare major enhancing patient care through cultural sensitivity, or a social sciences student deepening your understanding of societal dynamics, the GLIDE certificate can help you achieve these goals. Register now to boost your career prospects and become a valuable asset in any field!

The GLIDE program is flexible

GLIDE allows you to complete the components at your own pace, accommodating your unique timelines and schedules. No international travel is required, though experiences like exchanges or co-ops can count towards your requirements. GLIDE fits seamlessly into your existing schedule with no extra courses or costs involved. We offer a range of pre-approved experiences and the potential to include others upon vetting, ensuring you have plenty of options.

How can I get a GLIDE certificate?

1. UNDERSTAND

Start this component as soon as you register for GLIDE. Choose one of the three options and follow up:

  • Option 1: Attend two virtual foundation workshops, complete the PebblePad activities, and three interactions from the ǻܱ.
  • Option 2: Attend one virtual foundation workshop, complete the PebblePad activities, and one full ǻܱ.
  • Option 3: For UW students going on exchange, attend IC4E Touchpoint 1 and Touchpoint 3 sessions, complete the PebblePad activities, and three interactions from the ǻܱ.

2. ENGAGE

Start this component any time after registering for GLIDE and complete the PebblePad activities:

  • Option 1: Engage in 20 hours of volunteering programs at UݮƵ and 10 hours of volunteering outside UݮƵ with multicultural groups.
  • Option 2: For international students at UݮƵ, engage in 10 hours of volunteering programs at UݮƵ or volunteer with local organizations.
  • Option 3: For UݮƵ students on exchange or international co-op, engage in 10 hours of volunteering programs at UݮƵ or volunteer with local organizations.
  • Option 4: Participate in a 10-day service-learning program in Peru through SJU and engage in 10 hours of programs at UݮƵ or volunteer with local organizations.

Retroactive Credit is available for some experiences (e.g., Renison’s Conversation Partner Program and SJU in Peru). Volunteering activities before enrolling at UݮƵ do not count.

3. EXPAND

Start this component any time after registering for GLIDE:

Participate in a minimum of three events organized by UݮƵ and submit the follow-up interactive activities in PebblePad.

Eligible Events: Should involve global and local contexts, promote cultural appreciation, recognize different experiences, address challenges, and can directly connect to your program.

Examples of Past Events:

  • Faculty of Science invited speaker, Dr. Andre K. Isaacs discussion on “Strategies for Broadening Participation and Improving Belonging in STEM.”

  • Office of Indigenous Relations’ “Indigenous Speaker Series,” highlighting the voice of Indigenous artists, writers, activists, and scholars.

  • ݮƵ Centre for German Studies, expert panel on “The Changing German Political Landscape.”

  • Anthropology at UݮƵ, Book Talk “Zainab’s Traffic: Moving Saints, Seles, and Others across Borders.”

  • Conrad Grebel Benjamin Eby Lecture, “Paint as Protest,” exploring street art contributing to constructing communities in Cyprus, Northern Ireland, and Canada.

Finding Events: Check the Daily Bulletin, your faculty's webpage and sites like the Office of Indigenous Relations, WUSA, Renison, Conrad Grebel and SJU.

Note: we are unable to provide retroactive credit for events attended prior to registering for GLIDE.

4. SHOWCASE

Create your own ePortfolio to showcase your intercultural skills and achievements. This highlights your growth, reflects on intercultural awareness, develops learning strategies, and expresses your skills.

Choose between two content options and use the PebblePad guide provided to create your ePortfolio. As a bonus, you can take this ePortfolio with you after graduation and link it to your CV or LinkedIn profile!

Contact us

Email

glide@uwaterloo.ca

Visit us

International Experience Centre (IEC)
First floor of Needles Hall, open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.