Students' Association of Mount Royal University

WUSC stands for the World University Student of Canada. WUSC is a global non-profit organization that runs the SRP or Student Refugee Program. SAMRU and MRU are currently engaged in a pilot partnership of the SRP, and are supporting a student refugee in Canada at MRU.

As a WUSC-SRP Academic Support volunteer, you will be helping a student to navigate the complexities of academic life at MRU in a variety of ways, supported by both MRU and SAMRU staff and resources. A few examples of tasks you may help with: orienting the student to the MRU campus, helping the student find academic resources on campus (IE: Student learning Services workshops or tutoring opportunities). The goal is to encourage the SRP to develop as a post secondary student, and having an independent life, with support from volunteers for the first 3 years of post secondary.

Student Refugee Program Volunteer

Volunteer Role: Student Refugee Program (SRP) Volunteer

Volunteer Supervisor: Cultural and Indigenous Inclusion Programmer

Volunteer Term: year round (includes spring and summer semesters)

Expected Hours: varies depending on role and time of year

Position Summary:

The SRP combines opportunities for resettlement and obtaining higher education for refugees. Volunteers will provide direct support to SRP students in a peer to peer integration model, supporting the student in 4 key areas (academic, social, health and wellness, & financial) leading up to a goal of self-reliance for the resettled refugee student.

Volunteers will be working extensively with the student upon their arrival to Canada, with most help needed at the beginning of the program. It is expected support will taper off once the refugee gets settled and comfortable with their life in Canada. 

Volunteers will focus their help on one of the 4 key areas.

• The duties for this program are vast and focus on 4 areas (academic, social, health and wellness, & financial)
• Academic responsibilities will include providing guidance to the student to ensure academic success which may include connecting them with on and off campus resources such as tutors and academic advisors. 
• Social responsibilities will include supporting the student to feel welcomed in their new community and may include connecting them with on and off campus social opportunities such as clubs, sports teams and/or faith groups.
• Health and Wellness responsibilities will include helping the student to manage their physical and mental wellbeing and ensuring they have access to health insurance and health resources on and off campus.
• Financial responsibilities will include providing guidance to the student on budgeting and financial literacy and may include connecting them with on and off campus resources.

Position Requirements:

In addition to meeting and maintaining the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University’s volunteer standards, the volunteers:

• Must have a desire to help others;
• Be dependable and punctual;
• Be courteous and personable;
• Be flexible and adaptable;
• Be honest and maintain personal integrity;
• Adhere to the SRP ethical guidelines & the Canadian Human Rights Act;
• Must respect and maintain confidentiality of SAMRU and any users, volunteers, and partners;

Onboarding and Training Requirements include:

• Completion of basic orientation program
• Specific training from volunteer supervisor
• Specific SRP training which may come in the form of videos, reading materials, or webinars

Evaluation:  

• Volunteer supervisor will perform an evaluation of this role after 60 days of required training.

Time Commitment:

• Varies depending on role and time of year