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Experiential learning opportunities

The first step in gaining experience is as simple as the click of a button. Discover the many ways you can gain valuable experience during your studies. Some opportunities are built right into your program while others take place outside the classroom or on your free time. Check out the options below!

Why gain practical experience?

Experiential learning allows you to learn about yourself and have an enhanced university experience, all while building your future.

The hands-on practice related to your domain of study, mixed with the skills you will develop doing so will allow you to supplement your resume and be better prepared for your future career.

Explore experiences

Explore the categories below (curricular, extra-curricular, or stream/program), or connect with our Career Corner experts to discover opportunities tailored to your interests.

Find for-credit and course-related experiences.

Community-BasedMultiple FacultiesCourse-based
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Community Service Learning

Help others while helping yourself! Show future employers who you really are. Express your drive to change the world by putting what you learn in the classroom to good use as a volunteer.

1.5 or 3 unitsMultiple Faculties
Self-directed courses

Self-directed courses

Discover the power of personalized learning. Design your own course, set your own learning goals and earn units (credits) while exploring what interests you most.

Community-BasedMultiple Faculties
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe with CityStudio 1st prize winner

CityStudio Ottawa

Tackle real issues facing our local communityas identified in the City of Ottawa’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, while working with city staff as part of your course work. 

Interdisciplinary
Group working together in a classroom

Interdisciplinary challenges

Faculty or interfaculty challenges are short-format experiential learning courses connecting youwith students from different programs and/or faculties to tackle real-world challenges in collaboration with community and industry partners.

Through fast-paced, hands-on projects or competitions, imagine, design and develop bold solutions for pressing social, economic and civic issues, in collaboration with community and industry partners.

CreditedInterculturalMultiple Faculties
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International exchange

Discover the world while studying full time at one of our partner institutions — for one or two terms — without paying international tuition fees. It’s a unique chance to broaden your horizons and enhance your academic qualifications. 

Choose from over 250 international partner institutions in 52 countries.

Multiple Faculties
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Research

Enrich your studies through a research opportunity. These opportunities can provide you with concrete skills and experience to enhance your resumé, along with a deeper understanding of your in-class studies.

Vegetables in a box

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom: Summer COIL on Homelessness

Students from five universities across Canada and Brazil work together in multidisciplinary teams to design meaningful solutions for people experiencing homelessness.

Focus Areas:

  • Youth & Homelessness: Designing supports that protect and empower young people experiencing homelessness.
  • Food Insecurity & Homelessness: Addressing the links between food access, dignity, and housing instability.
  • Housing & Homelessness: Co-designing pathways to stable, dignified, community-connected housing.

Earn 3 credits working on real challenges alongside Canadian and international peers. Open to all students, reach out to register or learn more.

CreditedMultiple Faculties
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Other course based experiences

Did you know that your coursework may actually be experience you can mention on your resumé?

Consider all of the following options you might have, through various courses, to develop skills and experience:

  • Field studies
  • Practicums
  • Lab work

Showcase your experience

Contact us

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Share your experience with us!

Do you have thoughts or questions about Experiential Learning at uOttawa?

Do you want to share your experience with us?

Let us know! We appreciate all comments, experiences, questions or feedback.

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Career Corner

University Centre (map)
85 University, 2nd floor (UCU 216)
Ottawa ON K1N 6N5
Canada

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday: 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.