Engineers Without Borders Overseas

3 billion people worldwide live in poverty. To reduce this staggering situation, EWB volunteers focus on creating opportunities for individuals to lead their lives as they desire.

Technology is part of this solution — by harnessing appropriate technologies, be it to grow more food, gain access to clean water or mechanize food processing, people are gaining the opportunity to work their way out of poverty.

EWB volunteers strive to facilitate this process. They work overseas in partnership with local engineers, entrepreneurs and technicians. We understand that local knowledge and expertise is essential in developing appropriate solutions and that development should be driven by local people. EWB volunteers are working with technical sectors in developing communities to build their skills, gain access to resources and improve their capacity to engage in practical problem solving in their own communities.

Our chapter takes part in EWB’s work overseas through the Junior Fellowship Program and preparing well-trained and knowledgeable volunteers for future work overseas.

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Junior Fellowship Program in International Development

The Junior Fellowship (JF) Program includes a four month placement overseas. This program is open to all EWB-Ryerson chapter members who will be returning to the chapter for at least one year following their summer abroad. While the four month placement overseas is the highlight for many, the program also includes the completion of learning modules prior to going overseas, a week-long pre-departure training, and a commitment to sharing their experiences and lessons learned with their community and chapter upon their return.

The Goal

These placements offer an introduction to international development and a rigorous leadership training to members. They are as much about building great leaders and providing members with their first exposure to international development work as they are about having impact overseas. We understand that four months is a short time to have a lasting impact overseas - ;while our volunteers will have some impact in the community in which they work, their greatest impact will be in their home community and at our university upon their return. Through talking about what they learned and experienced with people here in Canada, they will play an integral role in raising awareness about the urgent need for development overseas.

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Who Should Apply for the JF Program

We are looking for applicants who:

• have a proven commitment to excellence
• are committed to building a better world
• have the ability and inclination to assume leadership positions
• are committed to taking on a leadership role in our chapter upon return
• are excited to promote learning about development in Canada and share their experiences with others
• have a good understanding of rural development, sustainable livelihoods and current development issues
• demonstrate strong problem solving skills

We encourage engineering and non-engineering students alike to apply for these positions as well as people with no previous experience overseas. Applications are made through our chapter—if interested please talk to the chapter executive.

What Makes A Good Development Worker

While there is no one mold of a good development worker and the technical qualifications for each placement differ, there are other characteristics that we tend to look for in each of our volunteers:

• Humility
• Cross-culture communication skills
• Empathy and caring for others
• Enthusiasm and passion
• Creativity
• Willingness to learn
• Adaptability and ability to deal with ambiguity
• Leadership skills and experience in a leadership role
• Ruggedness and ability to live in harsh conditions

Mandatory Requirements for the JF Program

• You must be a Canadian citizen or have permanent residency status in Canada
• You must be returning as a student to this chapter next September for a full year of graduate or undergraduate study
• You must be available to work overseas from May 1st to August 31st
• Although not required, it is encouraged that candidates be at least 19 years of age

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JF Application Form and Details

Applications are made through our university chapter and are generally accepted in the fall term of the academic year.

Become a member of the chapter to be notified when applications are being accepted.

For more information you can contact the chapter executive in person or by emailing ryerson@ewb.ca.