THE ISOW EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE

(International Students Overcoming War)


"Global Citizenship Through Education"

ISOW By The Numbers

43

Scholars Sponsored

9

Partners

9

Different Countries

150

Laurier Student Executives

WHO WE ARE?

ISOW is a multi-faceted initiative unique to Wilfrid Laurier University that brings students, staff and faculty together to enable students from war conflict countries to study in safety and security in Canada. Initiated by students in 2014, ISOW is primarily student-led and student-funded. ISOW embodies the University’s commitment to academic excellence, diversity and experiential learning.

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OUR VISION

Our vision is to foster genuine intercultural learning and effective global citizenship by bringing together minds from around the world.

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OUR MISSION

To provide access to higher education in a safe, supportive community through scholarships for refugees and students impacted by conflict, while empowering student leadership through professional development and experiential learning. 

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       STUDENT FUNDED

ISOW is made possible because each undergraduate and graduate student at Wilfrid Laurier University pays $8 each semester towards this initiative.

ENGAGED LEARNING 

ISOW organizes public events to engage and educate the Laurier and local community on the lived realities of international conflict.

  OUR PARTNERS

 ISOW is currently partnered with: Wilfrid Laurier University, The Iraqi and Syrian Student Project, Jusoor Syria, Prospect Burma, Compass Refugee Centre, Islamic Relief Canada, Duolingo English Test, Women Leaders of Tomorrow, and For the Refugees who contribute to the scholarship fund and enable us to provide education to students from war-torn countries.

We Value:


  • THE DIGNITY OF OUR INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS AND MAKE IT OUR PRIORITY TO SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC PURSUITS.


  • THE STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT WITHOUT PROMOTING A POLITICAL AGENDA.


  • INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS AND INTERCULTURAL UNDERSTANDING.


  • EFFECTIVE, COLLABORATIVE, AND CULTURALLY-SENSITIVE APPROACHES TO LEADERSHIP AMONG OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM MEMBERS.


  • ORGANIZATIONAL TRANSPARENCY AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY TO LAURIER STUDENTS AND THE GREATER LAURIER COMMUNITY.


  • THE MUTUAL LEARNING THAT RESULTS FROM SHARED EXPERIENCES WITHIN AND BEYOND THE UNIVERSITY.


  • INTEGRITY IN OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS WITH WHICH WE SHARE A COMMON VISION.