Programs
Immersive Global Simulation Lab (IGSL)
July 5 to 25
The Immersive Global Simulation Lab is a three-week experiential program where students step into the world of international relations, diplomacy, and crisis response. Through expert-led workshops and a multi-day immersive simulation, students take on roles such as state representatives, NGO leaders, advisors, and media actors as they respond to an evolving global crisis.
Program Focus Areas
Crisis and Diplomacy Simulation
Students participate in a multi-day, role-based simulation involving negotiation, rapid decision-making, and coalition-building.
Leadership + Policy Skills
Workshops introduce frameworks in systems thinking, crisis communication, diplomacy, and negotiation.
Canadian + Global Context
Students explore how Canadian governance and global frameworks (including the UN SDGs) shape international cooperation through local visits and engagement.
A detailed schedule and simulation brief will be shared with participants before the program begins.
English Language Requirement
Minimum IELTS 5.5 or equivalent is required to participate in the simulation and workshop activities.
Global Youth Changemaker Lab (GYCL)
August 2 to August 22
The Global Youth Changemaker Lab is a three-week social innovation program where students explore real community challenges and develop creative, practical solutions. Using design-thinking tools, students work through a structured innovation process supported by workshops, community partner engagement, and makerspace training.
Program Focus Areas
Exploring Community Issues
Students investigate social and community challenges relevant to Edmonton and connect them to global themes using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Skill Development through Design Thinking
Workshops build practical skills in creativity, teamwork, communication, prototyping, and user-focused problem-solving.
Applied Project Work + Innovation Showcase
Students work in small groups to design and prototype a community-focused project, with support from the University of Alberta’s Digital Scholarship Centre. Projects are presented in a final innovation showcase.
Additional program details and schedules will be provided before the program begins.
English Language Requirement
Minimum IELTS 5.0 or equivalent to participate in workshops, project work, and team activities.
Academic Credit Transfer Information
Each three-week program combines instructional workshops, simulation activities, community and Indigenous engagement, guided excursion learning, and a final capstone with reflection. Students can expect approximately 30 hours of workshops, 36 hours of simulation-based learning, 20 hours of civic and community engagement, 12–14 hours of guided excursions, and 10–12 hours dedicated to capstone and reflective work, for an estimated total of 100–110 hours. Participants are not awarded academic credit at the University of Alberta and will not receive an academic transcript. A certificate of participation and a letter confirming participation will be provided. Credit transfer is at the discretion of each student’s home institution.
Interested in applying? Learn more »