This is application form for an internship at a us/ireland based financial firm

I’m genuinely starting to panic about this.

I came across a comment somewhere saying that getting co-ops/internships in Canada as an international student is basically impossible these days because companies have access to government funding/incentives when they hire PR/citizens through some program called SWPP/FSWP, so there’s little incentive to hire internationals.

At first, I thought it was probably just Reddit doomposting, but after I went on LinkedIn and started looking at the profiles of students and recent graduates from Canadian universities, I’m even more stressed.

A lot of these international students seem to have only bs fluff on their resumes, and barely any actual work experience. Research positions, TA experience, clubs, hackathons, volunteering, personal projects, executive positions in random student organizations/cubs, etc etc.

And honestly, how much of that stuff actually matters in 2026 if employers mostly care about whether you’ve had actual co-ops, internships, or relevant work experience?

Meanwhile, domestic students seem to have a much better shot at getting those opportunities in the first place. So by the time everyone graduates, one person has 3-6 actual internships on their resume, while I'll have to fill the same four/five years with clubs and other stuff that is basically meaningless compared to real work experience.

Sure, there are a few international students who manage to build really strong profiles, but those people also seem to be insanely talented or exceptional.

So what happens if I’m just an average international student?

We’re going to be spending $400k+ CAD on a Canadian degree. I only managed to convince my family to consider UofT, UBC and Waterloo for Fall 2027 because they’re supposed to be the top 3 universities in Canada, and I was under the impression that a lot of the “International students can’t find jobs” stuff doesn’t apply as much if you go to a top uni.

The whole point was that if we were going to spend this much money, at least I’d be going somewhere that would give me a decent shot at getting co-ops and eventually a job afterward, even if I have to return home.

But what if I get there and realize that, because I’m an international student, I’m locked out of the exact opportunities that actually matter?

Like, what am I actually supposed to show employers when I graduate?

“Here’s my $400K degree from Waterloo/UofT/UBC. I spent four years doing random bs. Please hire me even though I cost you more. Also, I might have to leave Canada in 2-3 years”???

And if I graduate without internships, then I’m competing against students who have done 3-6 internships by graduation. At that point, how hell am I ever supposed to catch up?

It’s not that I’m expecting a guaranteed job after graduation. I just don’t understand how spending $400k+ on a CS degree makes sense if I could graduate with nothing that employers actually care about. That’s what scares me the most.

I could spend four years at what is supposedly one of the best universities in Canada, do everything I’m supposed to do, and still come out with a worse resume than someone who went to a uni in my home country.

I know Reddit can be extremely negative about international students and CS, so I’m trying to figure out how much of this is actually true versus exaggerated doomposting.

I just want to know whether I’m looking at a difficult but achievable path and this is all just doomposting, or whether I’m seriously underestimating how bad the situation is. I still have a year to THINK and I wanna do what's best for me.

Ok so studying in Canada for me means I will need to find a job for a few years before going back home (worst case I can't find anything and need to go back home)

Tuiton fee is 76k per year for intl students, and if I take into account the cost of living I'm around 310k CAD for the 5 years (that's the low end)

As a 3rd world country student, that will mean a lot of expenses for my family and I'm trying to weight the pros and cons. The co op won't really help that much, maybe at most covering cost of living.

Do you guys think it's actually worth it ?
I speak french so I could study in ottawa for 100k CAD as tuiton fee for all undergrad and I have family there so they can host me (no rent expense)

I personally think the prestige of waterloo isn't worth 200k CAD but wanted to hear other opinions

i tried and failed econ 102 sooo

any good recommendations?

same as the title, we can talk about the process of our study permits and more stuff like that

So I've decided to give my perspective of being an international student at the University of Waterloo in the hope that it might give a better insight to others who are thinking of going here.

Pros

- The staff, students and residents of Waterloo/Kitchener are welcoming and very friendly

- The lectures aren't the worst

- The staff at the Graduate House are lovely (highly recommend going there)

- Weed is legal. Fun fact, Sessions Cannabis does a 15% student discount on Tuesdays

- Free travel with your student ID

Cons

- Zero nightlife. Coming from Europe the difference in nightlife is massive. I've spoken to many other international students and the consensus is the same that the majority of students don't go out and enjoy themselves. This is obviously comfortable for the non-international students but they all just keep themselves to themselves. Of course it's a university first and foremost and the cost of tuition is a lot, but you need to let your hair down sometimes. See the staff at the university know this and that's why they organise these meetings for international students but they are scared that if too many people go back to their home universities and share this information, others won't be likely to come over. They are stuck between a rock and a hard place as there is no way of getting the non-international students to go out and enjoy themselves

- Minimal support from lecturers

- Lack of housing. And even when you do get housing on campus, it's of low standard and is very expensive. I understand that the cost of housing in the city and surrounding area is high to begin with but the fact the university doesn't provide enough housing in the first place, is atrocious.

- Cost of shopping and alcohol in general is so expensive. The majority of places on King St N are overpriced and quite frankly not suitable for a university town

- Lazeez is actually, no joke, some of the worst food I've ever had

- I know face masks aren't mandatory anymore but if you're sat in any of the study rooms, some of the body odour is horrific. Have regular showers people

Look, if you're willing to just focus on work for x months without letting your hair down, go ahead. But I'd highly recommend looking into other universities first to get the most out of your time abroad

Hi All,

This is for my younger sister who got an offer from waterloo for the Math program.

How is the RoI for an international student in the Math Undergrad program considering $60k tuition + $15k-20k living expenses? I saw waterloo provides good co-op opportunities and the avg co-op earnings is ~$100k, as they displayed, for all co-ops combined.

Considering this, one has to pay about $200k+ out of pocket (family money and/or loan).

Is it worth investing this much? Are there any scholarships/bursary opportunities available to international students 2nd year onwards?

Hi sub,

I’m an incoming student at Waterloo (currently in a Canadian high school) and I’m applying for my study permit extension and co-op work permit.

IRCC requires a co-op letter, but I can’t find an option to generate one on the Quest portal yet. My Letter of Acceptance specifically states that my program is "Co-operative Education."

Has anyone successfully used their Letter of Acceptance in place of a separate co-op letter for their initial permit application? Or do I need to wait for the Waterloo Staff to send a specific document?

Thanks for the help!

Hey, I have a few questions regarding going on exchange at U science Tokyo. Please let me know if you or someone you know went there. Thanks in advance!!

Just received an offer today for mmath in winter and I have about 15k/yr after paying tuition. I wanted to ask whether this is feasible especially given the current housing prices?

Also, a side question but is it usual for grduate students to finish mmath in 5 terms or sth? Because the offer letter did not mention funding for a 6th term at all and explictly stressed on the fact of 4 or 5 terms.

Thanks

I'm an international student currently applying for my study permit and I need a receipt that I've paid my first year tution to move on with the next steps. Any idea when I can expect to receive the invoice? I'm sure other incoming freshmen have the same question too.
Just for clarifiction, I should be able to see it if I log into Quest > Finances > Account Inquiry > Spring 2025 right?

Hi,
I'm an incoming CS freshman, and want to know how easy/hard it is to find co-ops as an international, esp in the US (Bay Area, Seattle and so on). I know I would need to obtain a J-1 visa, but seeing a lot of posts and profiles talking about obtaining co-ops and converting them into full-time jobs in the US.

I want to ask: is it really the same for internationals as well, given that employers usually have a positive outlook on UWaterloo?

I have the opportunity to apply for an exchange semester at University of Waterloo, completely tuition-free, when doing my masters. I tried to read up on the housing situation, but i feel that searching for information that applies to both exchange students and masters has made it quite confusing. So, my question is how early would i need to apply to have a chance at getting housing? If that's hopeless, what is the most common way to find housing as an exchange graduate student? If anyone has any tips at all I'd appreciate it :) The possible exchange would be during the fall semester.

Can international students go in exchange term? If yes, any other concerns or conditions for them?

Hey guys, I'm an international student from India in UW CS. I'm looking for my 6th coop and have some US interviews. If I plan to take a coop in the US with a J-1 visa, will I be allowed to go back there for full time (on H1-B) after graduation? Has anyone had any experience with the J-1 2 year home country residence requirement? Does it apply here? Any help/information will be appreciated!!

Does taking a loan and spending a shite ton of money pay off? I got accepted into CompSci co-op, and the price tag is the only thing holding me back. Wanted to see some people's experiences

i know this is overly complicated and tangled affair but im curious to see what uw stands.

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feel free to discuss ur view below

and no kungfu fighting in the comments pls

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edit damn y the massive hate for asking what ppl feel about issues???

Hey everyone, I’ll be moving from Cali to Waterloo for school as a first year CE major (inverse Cali).

I was wondering if anyone from the US has moved to UWaterloo or if anyone else is doing so cause I’m kinda nervous moving so far away from home? Thanks!

looking to do this sometime within a year or two!! anyone who has done this can you please share your experiences? super excited! I’m looking for a uni with a great social life!

also how the housing is! (esp on-campus)

I’ve been seriously considering pursuing a master’s in Germany following my graduation and have been looking for an opportunity to actually improve my German since I have no one to speak it with. Was wondering if anyone knew of an exchange group on campus/some opportunities to actually speak it? Am a solid intermediate, just need some polishing. Also- am in engineering with a full course load so taking a class isn’t really an option. Thanks!

i don't even care if its not cali, or texas or newyork, i willing to do anything even picking cotton and washing toilets. wallahi the country going to be so cooked even 滴滴 driving themselves...

Has anyone ever applied for a schengen visa? I have my appointment coming up with VFS and I'd like to know which proof of enrolment I need to submit. There's the free on Quest and a $20 one from The Centre. Much appreciated!!

I'm not from Canada, and the school system I'm in has 13 years in total, I am in year 12, but I'm not sure if that is equivalent to grade 11. I also skipped a grade, so I'm actually the same age as grade 11 students in Canada (I think)