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 UWaterloo. 

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 AICC modules.  
  • Option 2: Attend one virtual foundation workshop, complete the PebblePad activities, and one full AICC module. 
  • 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 AICC modules.  

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 UWaterloo and 10 hours of volunteering outside UWaterloo with multicultural groups. 
  • Option 2: For international students at UWaterloo, engage in 10 hours of volunteering programs at UWaterloo or volunteer with local organizations. 
  • Option 3: For UWaterloo students on exchange or international co-op, engage in 10 hours of volunteering programs at UWaterloo 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 UWaterloo or volunteer with local organizations. 

Retroactive Credit is available for some experiences completed at UW. Volunteering activities before enrolling at UWaterloo do NOT count.

3. EXPAND

Start this component any time after registering for GLIDE: 

Participate in a minimum of three events organized by UWaterloo 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. 

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

  • Anthropology at UWaterloo, 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. See samples of past and upcoming events.

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! 

Info session

Join us for an info-session to learn more about GLIDE's benefits, requirements and how to create your own pathway.

Contact us

Email

[email protected] 

Visit us 

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