Welcoming Newcomers Program: Supporting Students Affected by Conflict
The David Turpin and Suromitra Sanatani Award for Refugees and Displaced Persons provides financial support to students attending the University of Alberta.
- Read Newcomer to Volunteer: Ella Elazkany, President's Award recipient story
- Read Aref Sayegh, President's Award recipient's story on how volunteers helped him settle into UAlberta
Call for Volunteers
Show your support for newcomer students
We recruit volunteers each spring -- students, staff, faculty, alumni or community members. We build small teams of diverse volunteers to support each student.
Volunteer responsibilities
- Welcome students at the airport (September 2024)
- 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 the in-person training session between 5 pm and 8:30 pm, on Jul 3, 2024.
Let us welcome newcomer students together!
Certificate in International Learning (CIL) Note
This program does not count for points, either as an intercultural experience or as a co-curricular activity, for students enrolled in the CIL. See this page for volunteer programs that qualify for points.
