The International Student Experience Fund (ISEF) is intended to support academic and non-academic initiatives that: enhance the experience of international students; foster intercultural and international-to-domestic student, staff and faculty engagement; and internationalize the University of Toronto student experience. The ISEF supports two streams of activities; Seed ($5,000-$15,000 per year) and Impact ($15,000-$100,000 per year).
Twelve project proposals were submitted from across the University during the first competition round. Of these submissions, the following were approved for funding by the ISEF adjudication committee.
Congratulations to all winners:
| Project Title | Summary | Project Lead(s) | Funding Stream |
| Support for International Graduate Students in APHD (Phase 1): Pre-Arrival Online Group and Resources | Creation of online supports to address critical pre-arrival period for entering international graduate students. Project outcomes will include improved on-boarding and sense of community for students and increased faculty/staff awareness of students’ needs. | Professor Earl Woodruff, Chair, Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development (APHD), OISE & Professor Katreena Scott, Associate Chair, Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development (APHD), OISE
|
Seed |
| First Year Foundations: Supporting Student Success in Small Seminars and Large Classes | Development of a coherent framework of academic offerings that will enable international first-year students to fully participate in both small and large classes, and to better navigate their academic options. | Professor Pamela Klassen, Vice-Dean, Undergraduate and International, Faculty of Arts & Science & Professor Alana Boland, Associate Dean, Teaching & Learning, Faculty of Arts & Science | Impact |
| Integrated UTSC Online Pre-arrival Platform | Development of a web-based pre-arrival orientation and mentorship program designed to assist students with their transition into UTSC. Program platform will provide mechanisms to track student engagement and participation. | Erika Loney, Manager, International Student Centre | Impact |
| International Student Experience Ambassadors | Establishment of a pre-arrival concierge service for incoming international students delivered by current student ambassadors. Trained e-mentors will field general queries pertaining to student experience, directing technical questions to the appropriate U of T contact. | Katherine Beaumont, Senior Director, Global Learning & Opportunities & Ken Withers, Director, Office of Student Recruitment | Impact |
| International Student Transition Program: Welcoming International Arts & Science Undergraduate Students | Development of residential late-summer international transition program featuring experiential workshops, sessions, and activities designed to address the following areas: Academic Wayfinding, Academic Preparation, Campus Familiarity, City and Climate Orientation, and Community & Peer Support. | Deborah Robinson, Faculty Registrar and Director of Academic Services, Faculty of Arts & Science & Katherine Beaumont, Senior Director, Global Learning & Opportunities
|
Impact |
Seed Funds continue to be received on a rolling basis, the next Impact Grant submission deadline is February 1, 2019. Visit https://global.utoronto.ca/international-student-experience-fund/ for complete application details.
