COVID 19 Interim Measures
The requirements for the Certificate in International Learning have not changed. However, there have been some changes to how you can complete your requirements. Those changes are summarized below.
There have been no changes to the course or second language components of the CIL, which is why they are not discussed below.
Unless noted otherwise, the changes below are temporary responses to the current COVID-19 environment and will be reviewed when travel and in-person gatherings normalize.
Orientation
An online, asynchronous version of Orientation has been released. Orientation will now run on line and on demand so that students can complete Orientation immediately upon enrolling in the program. As of Summer 2022, the online, asynchronous Orientation permanently replaced the in-person version.
Current CIL students who need to complete Orientation have been sent instructions via email on how to self-enroll.
Students who are new to CIL will receive instructions about Orientation in their welcome email.
Intercultural Communication Training
An online, partly-synchronous version of the CIL intercultural communication training will be offered in the Fall 2021 term. In-person training may resume in the Winter 2022 term. If not, an additional online, partly-synchronous training will be held in its place.
The synchronous dates for the Fall and Winter offerings will be listed via the link in the CIL Events page as soon as they are set (usually at the start of the term). CIL students will be invited to register via email.
As always, students may choose to satisfy the intercultural communication training component by completing EXT 300.
Go to Intercultural Communication Training page
Co-curricular Activities
Many events are now being held online. We are posting point-worthy virtual events via the link in the CIL Events page. If you come across a virtual event that you think should count for co-curricular points, suggest it to us using the "create event" function of the CIL online portal. This must be done before the event occurs.
International CIL students can also earn 10 co-curricular points by completing the Multicultural Learning Pods program (details below). There is no way to participate "part-time" in the Multicultural Learning Pods program, so all 10 co-curricular points will be awarded at once at the completion of the program.
Go to Co-curricular Activities page
Intercultural Experience
Study, work or volunteer abroad
If you were abroad and had to return to Canada because of COVID-19, please be in touch with us at cil@ualberta.ca.
If you are looking for an abroad experience, a virtual abroad experience will also satisfy the intercultural experience requirement, and just as before, you can combine two abroad programs (virtual or otherwise) to reach the 6-week threshold.
Your virtual abroad program does not need to be a U of A-affiliated program but you should run any virtual abroad programs that you hope to use as part of the CIL by us first! We cannot guarantee credit for programs that are not pre-approved by our office.
UAlberta is offering the Virtual International Work Experience program. You could work for a German company from home! Visit U of A's Global Learning Without Travel Virtual Internship page for more information.
100 hours of service with a cross-cultural agency
The only change to this option is that students may now complete two placements to reach the 100-hour threshold. Previously, all 100 hours had to be with one cross-cultural agency.
Students may complete their 100 hours remotely; however, their placement must still involve regular and direct contact with (an) individual(s) from (a) different cultural background(s).
Go to service with a cross-cultural agency page
Multicultural Learning Pods - DISCONTINUED AS OF FALL 2022*
*Any CIL students who have not completed their pod assignments have until March 31, 2023 to complete their assignments and submit a claim.
The Multicultural Learning Pods program is a CIL-run program that connects students from different cultural backgrounds. Participants in the program engage in semi-structured discussions, collaborative activities and personal reflection and, in the process, gain greater cultural self-awareness, intercultural relationship-building skills and a network of fellow culturally-curious students.
This program requires advance registration and a time commitment of 100 hours over 6 months (October to March). It was built with intercultural contact and intercultural learning in mind and is considered the equivalent of "100 hours of service with a cross-cultural agency".
Go to Multicultural Learning Pods page