Global Impact at Home

Globally focused McMaster courses, minors, and certificates

Learn more about the world through elective courses, minors, or certificates that focus on global issues, histories or language. These are great opportunities to build your intercultural knowledge and communication skills. This way, you’re making a global impact by broadening your perspectives on the world. Courses focused on Canadian and Indigenous studies are also excellent sources from which to build a foundation to expand global awareness.

Intercultural Learning Certificate

The Intercultural Learning Certificate is hosted by the Student Success Centre to help McMaster students recognize, celebrate and encourage cross-cultural communication. This is a self-directed experiential learning opportunity available to all McMaster students, including undergraduate, graduate, domestic, international and exchange. For more information, contact globalcareers@mcmaster.ca.”

Universitas 21 (U21) Global Citizens Leadership Development Programme

This is a three-week, online leadership development course available to 75 McMaster students each year. This course typically runs in February/March and students can apply through OSCARplus. By developing ideas together, across borders and time zones, this program supports students to develop the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century while tackling some of the world’s most pressing problems, outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With the support of trained facilitators, participants are guided to reflect on improvement in their cultural competency and awareness, as well as how they, as individuals and as groups, can turn their learning into valuable global action. For more information, contact globalcareers@mcmaster.ca.

MyWorldAbroad Certificate Program in Intercultural Competencies

Boost your employability in just 10-18 hours of self-directed, online learning. This unique program comprises six enriching courses, designed to enhance your understanding and skills in navigating diverse cultural environments. Seize this opportunity to stand out and prepare for a multicultural workplace at home or abroad. This course is available to all McMaster students by accessing MyWorldAbroad for free through your OSCARplus dashboard. Scroll down to ‘Take it Global’ and click on the link for MyWorldAbroad.

Sustainable Development Goals Academy

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals that take on global issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice and more. The Sustainable Development Goals Academy provides free academic courses and resources designed by a global community of experts to help you take action and make a difference.

LinkedIn Learning

As a McMaster student, you have free access to LinkedIn Learning, which includes thousands of online courses. Find a course related to global learning or intercultural skills to get started. Here are some recommendations.

• Developing Cross-Cultural Intelligence
• Cultivating Cultural Competence and Inclusion
• Communicating Across Cultures
• Adding Value Through Diversity
• Leading Globally
• Managing Globally

Note: Access LinkedIn Learning for free by logging in through the University Technology Services (UTS) website. You need to have a LinkedIn account to get started.

The Global Experience Program can connect you with global opportunities (available and accessible from within Canada) to help develop your employability skills, gain valuable experience and build your resume in ways that will make you more globally competitive. Consider the below options to determine what kind of “Global Impact at Home” skill-building opportunity might be right for you.

Virtual work and volunteer opportunities

Here are a few examples of virtual opportunities that have been curated for McMaster students, which are posted throughout the year on OSCARplus:

• Universitas 21 (U21) Sustainable Micro-Internships: This three-week virtual micro-internship opportunity is free for McMaster students and typically occurs between November and February each year. See OSCARplus to register in the fall.
• WACE Global Challenges: This four-week virtual program empowers a transnational team of students to undertake an international project to help a business, government entity or community-based organization with a real-world challenge related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. McMaster sponsors and funds student participation in global challenges that take place throughout the year. See OSCARplus for details.
• ThinkPacific Virtual Internships: Are you interested in tackling international development issues and achieving real outcomes for community partners in Fiji, alongside an experience of virtual immersion in Fijian culture? If yes, consider participating in a 4–12-week virtual opportunity with this amazing organization. While there is a program fee for student participation, McMaster students should assess their eligibility for the Global Experience Award to offset this cost.

For virtual global employment opportunities: OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Employment > Job Postings > New Search > Position Type – “Global Opportunities” (Note: be sure to look for ‘virtual/remote’ in the ‘Position Location’ field)

For virtual global volunteer and experiential opportunities: OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Volunteer & Experience Building > Postings > Search Opportunities > Position Type – “Global Experience” (Note: be sure to look for ‘virtual/remote’ in the ‘Position Location’ field)

Local volunteer/work opportunities and Career Treks

Consider working or volunteering to make a difference with a local organization that has a global perspective or is engaged in international programming. These are short-term opportunities to gain valuable workplace experience and receive mentorship. A diverse array of opportunities, with various time commitments, are posted on OSCARplus throughout the year.

For local employment opportunities that have global scope: OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Employment > Job Postings > New Search > Position Type – “Global Opportunities” (Note: be sure to look for a local location in the ‘Position Location’ field)

For local volunteer and experiential opportunities that have global scope: OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Volunteer & Experience Building > Postings > Search Opportunities > Position Type – “Global Experience” (Note: be sure to look for a local location in the ‘Position Location’ field)

EXPLORE: Experiential Learning Opportunities Resource

There are so many ways for you to gain experience and get involved at McMaster. Use this tool to explore experiential learning opportunities and filter your global options based on your goals and interests, with the ability to identify both curricular and co-curricular experiences. There are opportunities for undergraduate students in any level or Faculty, ranging from courses for credit to experience-building programs, community engagement and more. Don’t forget to consider exploring options that could take your learning outside your discipline or area of study.

MindSumo International Challenges

MindSumo was created out of the Stanford Student Startup Accelerator, StartX, by three friends who wanted to change the way that creative thinkers and companies worked together. Today, MindSumo has become the leading platform for Millennial & Gen Z problem solvers to apply their creativity and innovation by working on projects from top companies from around the world. This community represents over 700,000 problem solvers from six continents and over 3,000 universities.

Explore the MindSumo website to find a global challenge that interests you. Apply your skills and get recognized, earn cash prizes, and make a difference!

Peer Leader Program: Global Experience Program Ambassadors

Develop employment skills and move closer to your career goals with the Student Success Centre Peer Leader Program. By volunteering 3-5 hours per week, you will be helping to advance the global priorities and ambitions of the Global Experience Team. Key responsibilities include providing peer guidance and leadership, sharing information on services, resources, events and activities, and serving as a peer support system through motivation and encouragement.

Email globalcareers@mcmaster.ca to express interest and/or apply for Peer Leader vacancies on OSCARplus (Student Success Centre > Volunteer & Experience Building > Postings > Search Opportunities > Position Type – “Global Experience).”

International Student Buddy Program

The Buddy Program connects international students with upper-year students (buddies) who can help them transition to university life in Canada.

• I’m a first-year international student: Whether this is your first time in Canada or you completed high school in Canada as an international student, the Buddy Program is a great opportunity to meet your fellow first-year international students.
• I’m an upper-year student (international or domestic): Help make a fellow student’s transition to McMaster a memorable one and consider applying for this volunteer position. The program takes place from June to April and requires a commitment of a few hours per week (not every week).

The program takes place from May to October and requires a commitment of a few hours per week (5-8 hours) during this time. Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are now closed. This opportunity will re-open in April 2025 for the 2025-2026 academic year. Visit OSCARplus and search the calendar (Student Success Centre > Volunteer & Experience Building > Program Registrations) for a registration date.

McMaster clubs

There are many McMaster clubs that focus on international and global issues. Try joining a club to get involved and expand your community at the university. There are more than 300 clubs posted on the McMaster Students Union (MSU) website!

Global events

We host and contribute to global engagement events throughout the year. Visit the Global Events page for an overview of all the events we’re involved in.

• International Education Week
• McMaster Global

Global Waves

Explore the dynamic and diverse world of global cultures with our exciting cultural showcase series, where international students lead an interactive lesson on an exciting or trending topic related to their home culture. International students interested in being one of three “instructors” should look out for the call for volunteers during the outreach period in September. Instructors will be selected and assigned to Fall/Winter presentation dates by October 1st, 2024. Students looking to attend Global Waves events can anticipate a presentation date for October 2024, November 2024 and January 2025. Register on OSCARplus(Student Success Centre > Events).

Cultural Conversations

Have you ever wanted to learn about a new culture?  Curious about the different norms and etiquette from the ones you use?  Cultural Conversations is an opportunity for you to meet with other students and learn about each other’s cultures by sharing, listening, and discussing how things are done in a different cultural setting. These take place during the Fall and Winter term. Register on OSCARplus (Student Success Centre > Events).

Additionally, browse OSCARplus for equity and inclusion sessions and workshops (listed under Student Success Centre > Events).

OSCARplus

OSCARplus is McMaster’s online career portal for employers and students. Browse job postings on OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Employment > Job Postings > Search Job Postings > Position Type > Global Opportunities.

Plus, access valuable tools, GoingGlobal and MyWorldAbroad. Request access through the OSCARplus dashboard under Take It Global.

GoingGlobal

• Customized job search
• Country career guides
• Employer directory and embassy listings
• Industry and employment trends
• On-demand and live training webinars
• Virtual and freelance opportunities

MyWorldAbroad

• Job boards
• Articles and student stories
• Volunteer and internship opportunities
• Opportunities to teach English abroad
• Virtual internships

View the McMaster Terms of Use

According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education, 80% of students identify financial assistance as the greatest barrier to studying abroad. Don’t worry — we can connect you with financial support so you can explore your options through a global opportunity.

Financial support and awards

• Global Experience Award (GEA)
• Special programs funding
• And more

View all the funding opportunities on the Scholarships and Awards page.

Note: Some awards may be restricted to travel-based opportunities. Contact globalcareers@mcmaster.ca if you have questions.

Global opportunity support

Book a one-on-one appointment to get support, learn about program eligibility and application requirements and more. Browse appointment types on OSCARplus (under Student Success Centre > Appointments > Global Opportunities).

Career support

If you’re wondering how to connect your interest in global opportunities with your career plans, we recommend meeting with a career counsellor. They can help you reflect on your goals and the skills and experiences that can help you accomplish those goals. Book an appointment on OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Appointments > Careers.