International Student Work Experience Program

The International Student Work Experience Program (ISWEP) helps full-time undergraduate international students to find employment, develop their career skills and gain valuable work experience over the summer.

Requirements of all ISWEP positions

• Students hired must be full-time University of Alberta undergraduate international students paying the International Student Differential Fee.
• Approved positions will receive a subsidy of $7.00/ hour to a maximum of $4,000/position. 
• Approved positions must comply with Alberta Labour Standards and be hired at Alberta minimum wage or higher.
• Participating employers must post approved positions on the ISWEP online job board on campusBRIDGE targeting undergraduate international students. Student applications are collected and vetted for program eligibility and then sent to employers for shortlisting.

Current Government of Canada Guidelines for working on-campus.
Current Government of Canada Guidelines for working off-campus.

 

Students

ISWEP jobs are for the summer term only and are posted on the ISWEP job board on campusBRIDGE beginning late March. The job board is not visible until that time.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY: To access the ISWEP job postings on CampusBRIDGE you must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• Currently registered full-time in a University of Alberta undergraduate degree program.
• Have paid International Differential Fees for the current school year.
• Will be returning to school the following academic year in an undergraduate program (Fall Semester).
• Must be available to work May to August.

If you meet all of the above requirements and you do not have access to the job postings in late March please email iswep.questions@ualberta.ca

*No program registration is required. **International graduate students are not eligible to participate in the ISWEP.

How to participate

All eligible students can apply for ISWEP positions. No program registration is required. Tips:

• Make sure to pay close attention to each job posting’s application instructions. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
• The types of positions and duties are varied; students with a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.
• The U of A Career Centre offers resources and consultations for writing resumes and cover letters, and how to prepare for interviews. https://www.ualberta.ca/career-centre/resources/index.html

The U of A Career Centre also posts new job opportunities each day that are not part of the ISWEP, so also check the campusBRIDGE’s Student & Alumni job board for other opportunities that might be a good fit for you.

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Employers

Each summer the International Student Work Experience Program (ISWEP) accepts applications from employers looking to hire a student and have that position supplemented under the ISWEP. Approved positions are reimbursed a wage subsidy of $7.00/hour to a maximum of $4000/position.

Application process and criteria

Positions must be located within the greater Edmonton, Alberta area. All applications are reviewed and are subject to an approval process based on a number of factors including quality of work experience, hourly salary, number of weeks and hours per week offered. Employers will be notified of the status of their application(s) mid-March. Successful applicants will be provided with further recruiting and administrative information.

Applications should include as much detail as possible about the position summary, duties and career-related skill information. Approved positions must be posted on campusBRIDGE.

• Hires must be made and signed offer/appointment forms received by ISWEP Program Administration.
• Reimbursements occur in the Fall after the student has finished working.

Employer subsidy applications for Summer 2024 will open in late 2023