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Internships

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships Program

The Laurier-Ghana Partnership for Human Rights, Criminology and Social Justice began in 2015 with more than $400,000 in initial funding from the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program. Since that time, more than 40 Laurier students have completed internships in the West African country. 

Across Canada, the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program is awarding a total of $5.8 million to 20 projects led by Canadian universities. Through the latest phase of the program, an estimated 650 Canadian and international students will undertake internships and research in Canada and abroad.

The Queen Elizabeth Scholars program is a collaborative initiative led by the Rideau Hall Foundation, Universities Canada and the Community Foundations of Canada, with contributions from the Government of Canada, provincial governments, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), universities, and a wide range of private sector donors. 

The nearly $300,000 in funding has allowed 29 Laurier undergraduate students to undertake three-month internships in Ghana from 2017 to 2023 and nine graduate students from the University of Ghana to spend a semester at Laurier.

Internship Details

Laurier students selected as QE Scholars will spend 100 days in Ghana (aligned with academic term dates), with 90 days spent interning at various non-profit organizations and living at the University of Ghana (Legon). Each scholar will also receive a $6,000 grant to go towards the costs associated with the internship. 

Remaining terms are Summer 2023 (May – August)

Information Session

You can review a recording of our recent information session by following this Zoom link and using the passcode: #QEScholars123

Application Process

The application for Summer 2023 is now closed as the deadline to apply has passed. 

In the application, you will be asked to: 

  • Respond to the eligibility requirements outlined below. 
  • Submit a letter of motivation. 
  • Submit an up-to-date resume. 
  • Upload a photo or scan of the photo page of your passport. 
  • Provide two references (one academic and one non-academic).  

Successful applicants will be invited to an interview with Laurier International staff and faculty from their program of study. 

Students who are currently out of the country are encouraged to apply and, if selected for an interview, may be interviewed over Zoom, or similar. 

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at globalengagement@wlu.ca. 

Eligibility Requirements

To apply you must: 

  • Be a registered Laurier undergraduate student. Students in in Human Rights and Human Diversity, Social Work, Global Studies, International Education Studies Programs or in the Faculty of Music are given priority, but all students are encouraged to apply. 
  • Be enrolled full-time and on track to have third-year standing by the end of the winter 2023 semester. Applicants should have completed at least 9.5 credits by the time the internship takes place. Please note that students who are more advanced in their degree studies may score higher in our evaluation of their applications. 
  • Have a minimum 7.0 GPA at the time of your application. 
  • Be 35 years of age or under at the time of your application for the internship. 
  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. 
  • Hold a valid passport or be willing to apply for a passport immediately upon being accepted for the program. 
  • During the internship, be at the partner’s office or field site for at least seven hours a day, five days a week (or 35 hours a week). 
  • Complete an academic credit related to the internship. The specific credit will depend on your program of study.  
  • Agree to act in accordance with any Global Affairs Canada travel advisory in effect at the time while in Ghana. 
  • If successful, commit to satisfying the following requirements: 
  • Participate in a pre-departure program. 
  • Sign Laurier International’s Acknowledgment of Risk and Responsibility Form. 
  • Sign Laurier International’s Agreement to Participate on Study Exchange Form. 
  • Participate in a debriefing/re-entry session after returning to Canada. 
  • Participate in public engagement activities upon their return to Canada. 
  • Acquire a satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check for working with vulnerable populations. 
  • Consent to Laurier International performing a background check with the Laurier Special Constable Service and the Laurier Behaviour Intervention Team. 
  • Any other requirements set by Laurier International. 

Upon acceptance to the internship, you will be asked to sign a form authorizing Laurier International to perform a background check with the Laurier Special Constable Service, and the Laurier Care and Support Team. You will also be asked to submit a Police Vulnerable Sector Check within 60 days of your acceptance. 

Want to learn more about the program? See this Laurier news article (Laurier deepening partnership with Ghana through Queen Elizabeth Scholars program | Wilfrid Laurier University (wlu.ca) for more details.