Welcoming Newcomers Program: Supporting Students Affected by Conflict
The President's Award for Refugees and Displaced Persons provides financial support to students attending the University of Alberta. The 2020/21 school year will see the fifth group of students arriving from conflict-affected countries.
Read Newcomer to Volunteer: Ella Elazkany, President's Award recipient story
Call for Volunteers
The President's Award for Refugees and Displaced Persons is providing financial support to five new students for the upcoming academic year. These students are coming to us through WUSC, directly from asylum countries in the Middle East and Africa. We want to ensure these students feel welcome and have our support as they settle into life on campus and our city.Show your support for newcomer students
We recruit volunteers each spring -- students, staff, faculty, alum or community members. We build small teams of diverse volunteers to support each student.Volunteer responsibilities:
- Welcome students at the airport (December 2020)
- Help students settle into campus and community life
- Provide social support
Volunteers must commit their time for one year with the expectation of being in touch with a student a minimum of two times a month. Volunteers are also expected to attend a student dinner or an activity two times per term.
Volunteers must be available to attend two training sessions at 5:00 - 9:00 pm, on November 17 and 19, 2020.
Please note, these responsibilities will be adapted based on the situation with COVID-19.