As a U of T Engineering student, there are multiple ways you can engage in global opportunities to complement your undergraduate degree.
Are you interested in participating in a global opportunity? Do you have a question about the opportunities available to you? Check out the FAQs below to learn more about incorporating a global aspect into your engineering studies!
For general questions, please contact the Engineering Experiential Learning Coordinator, Undergraduate Research and Global Experiences at goglobal@engineering.utoronto.ca.
Global Opportunities FAQs
There are many benefits to engaging in a global experience during your undergraduate studies, including academic, professional, and personal advantages that we highlight on our Global Opportunities webpage. As engineering students, global experiences give you the opportunity to connect with people of diverse backgrounds, grow your international network, and gain intercultural competencies to understand the global challenges that society faces. Building these skills at the undergraduate level will help equip you with the tools you need to solve global challenges and make positive changes as future engineers.
Explore the opportunities to study abroad that are available to engineering students. For example, the Student Exchange Program gives students the option to study abroad at a partner university for a term (Fall/Winter/Summer) or for a Full Academic Year. Other programs like Summer Abroad offer Arts and Science courses abroad during the summer which can fulfill your CS/HSS electives.
An important step is to connect with your Academic Advisor early to discuss your interest in studying abroad. For Exchange, you would need to discuss finding suitable universities and courses to enrol in and understand how to transfer the credits back to U of T credits. For any courses taken abroad, you must check with your Academic Advisor in advance to ensure they will meet and fulfil your academic curriculum/degree requirements.
We also host various events and information sessions in the Fall term about global opportunities available to students. Be on the lookout for upcoming events to learn about the program details, application process and to connect with past student participants!
This depends on the specific programs and the number of students who apply year-to-year. Some programs have an application process with specific eligibility requirements. Please review the Current Global Opportunities webpage and read more about the application process and requirements for the programs you are interested in. You can also speak with the relevant program administrators directly about questions you have on the application process or attend upcoming events and information sessions about their programs.
Some global opportunities include funding in the program or an option to apply for award funding to support the global experience. The amount of funding as well as the process to apply will vary depending on the program. Please speak with the program’s administrative office directly about specific questions on funding options.
Students who are going on a learning abroad experience, such as research, courses, international conference, or professional experience, organized or coordinated by any division at U of T may consider applying for the International Experience Award+ (IE Award+). This award funding is administered by the Centre for International Experience.
There are multiple ways engineering students can build global skills while on campus at U of T. Consider enrolling in the Global Leadership Minor or completing the Certificate in Global Engineering as part of your degree studies and take courses that have a global component to the course content. The Centre for Global Engineering (CGEN) also offers a number of capstone projects for fourth-year engineering students to work on global development projects in partnership with companies, NGOs, and aid groups.
There are also several student clubs and organizations you can join that have a global focus in their objectives. Some examples include Engineers Without Borders, Engineers in Action, and Global Spark. Also, consider participating in case competitions like the Global Learning Case Competition.
Yes! You can learn about different types of global opportunities and plan out different combinations to incorporate a PEY Co-op placement and global experience in your undergraduate studies.
For example, if you plan to do a 12-month PEY Co-op placement after Year 3 (e.g. May to April) then you can consider doing a global opportunity during the summer months (May to August) before returning to your studies in Year 4. Options may include doing research with a supervisor at a partner university through the Summer Research Exchange Program (SREP) or taking summer courses abroad through the Student Exchange Program or with Summer Abroad (for Arts and Science courses to fulfill HSS/CS electives).
Some students also find international co-op placements! Speak to the Engineering Career Centre if you are interested in securing an international co-op placement for PEY Co-op.