ISPC Program

International Peer Connection (IPC) Program

Be Matched with a Peer Guide!

Why Join the International Peer Connection Program?

The International Peer Connection Program supports International Students during their transition to university and Canadian life. The IPC assists you in having a positive and rewarding experience at Western. When you join IPC, you will be connected with a Peer Guide who will:

  • be your guide, resource person, cultural interpreter and a friendly support to you during your transition to University and Canadian life
  • link you to Western and London activities, services and resources
  • connect you with other Peer Guides, International and Canadian Students and the Western community
  • call or e-mail you regularly until the end of the term, to ask how you are doing, answer your questions, inform you of upcoming events, and arrange to meet with you (e.g., for coffee or lunch, to attend a group activity)
  • contact you, if you have e-mail, BEFORE you arrive in Canada and answer your questions!

The Program is offered primarily during the Fall Semester (September-December) but is also available to new students who arrive in the Winter Semester (January-April) and those who arrive in the Summer Term (May - August)..

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Who are the Peer Guides?

Peer Guides are current undergraduate and graduate Western students who:

  • have already experienced the transition to university life
  • are familiar with the Western campus and resources
  • possess intercultural experiences
  • are interested in cross-cultural exchange
  • are dedicated volunteers who have been carefully selected and trained
  • ready to help you in your transition to Western!

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What this means for you...

After you apply to join IPC program, you will:

Your Peer Guide will:

  • Be your guide, resource person, cultural interpreter and a friendly support to you and other international students in your peer group during your transition to Canadian life.
  • Call or e-mail you regularly to talk, to ask how you are doing, to answer questions, to inform you of upcoming events, or to arrange to meet you (e.g., for coffee or lunch, to attend an activity, etc.). Your Peer Guide will maintain regular contact with you until the end of the term for which you have applied to have a Peer Guide (i.e., December for Fall Term participants). We encourage you to feel free to contact your Peer Guide as well.

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IESC Activities

IESC promotes internationalization at Western through intercultural connections.

IESC offers you opportunities to meet with your Peer Guide individually (e.g., for a coffee) as well as all the other Peer Guides and International Student participants through a variety of activities.

International and Exchange Student Centre tries to organize as many programs and activities throughout the year as possible. Many of our functions are especially designed to ease the transition for new international students into Canadian and university culture. For a complete list of our planned activities please visit our "Special Events" page online.

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Apply Today!

If you would like to be matched with a Peer Guide or receive weekly e-mails form the IESC, please complete the IPC International Student Application form. There are 2 ways to apply:

  1. Apply online! Complete and submit our online IPC Application Form.
  2. Apply in Person! Download and print the IPC Application form and return it to International and Exchange Student Centre, in Room 2120, WSS.Application forms can also be picked up in International and Exchange Student Centre.

We will try to connect you with your Peer Guide as early as possible.

Note: Any personal information recorded on the application form will not be disclosed other than for the purpose of matching under the International Peer Connection (IPC) program.

If you are not interested in the personal one-to-one contact of a Peer Guide but would still like to know about and participate in the events, activities, and programs going on throughout the year for international students, complete the International Student Network Online Form.

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Comments from International Student Participants

How did the ISPC Program help you?

  • "I had my first "real Canadian Thanksgiving" here and had a good time with my Peer Guide. I have some new friends now. And I have gained confidence when speaking English and communicate with people here."

  • "Bringing all international students under one umbrella and giving opportunity to make new friends."

  • "My Peer Guide's friendship makes me feel very warm. She helped me know more about the culture here. She gave me a helping hand to our international students because we are "newcomers" here."

  • "I got friends from whom I can ask anything about this new place, UWO. My Peer Guide is easily approachable, more than anybody else."

  • "To learn about the university and about London, to meet people, and not feel so lonely far away from home."

  • "IPC helps students to make their life easier at Western...I joined IPC since it helps to solve any of the difficulties you are facing at Western."

  • "Have a tour with all international students, gather together like having dinner together, watch Movie together, have hiking, etc."

  • "Meeting new individuals from all over the world and learning about their experiences and various cultures and ways of living. Plus it has motivated me to do an exchange as well."

  • "As soon as I have any questions, I knew that someone can help me."

  • "Learned new things about Canadian culture, met new friends, had fun taking away stress near study time."

  • "I met great and nice people here, the Peer Guides helped me to solve some problems and they shared their life experience with me, and I enjoyed a lot of these events and trips."

  • "Peer Guides are really friendly and the organizing of trips etc. has made my stay more exciting and fun."

  • "Through you I got the chance to learn a lot about Canada and make close friendships. THANK YOU!"

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Last updated: August 10, 2010

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Confidentiality

All information disclosed by students to IESC will be kept confidential. It will not be shared with family, university staff, course instructors, or others without written permission and will not become part of academic records.

The International and Exchange Student Centre is experienced in working with diverse populations.

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