Making A World of Difference Award

• Application Deadline: End of the assigned term specified by the Intercultural Partnership Program
• Award Value: $500 per qualified individual*
• Number of Awards: One partnership per term (Up to four individuals per year)

This award is student-focused, but staff and faculty are also eligible to apply as part of an Intercultural Partnership Program partner with a student. The award of $500 will be given to student recipients. Faculty or staff do not qualify for the monetary award but can still receive their Award Certificate.

The Making A World of Difference Award is presented to two Global-Local partnerships who have participated in the Intercultural Partnership Program (IPP) at any campus and who best fulfil all of the following criteria in either Term 1 or Term 2.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for this award, each eligible partnership must have:

• Attended an IPP orientation session together
• Completed 7 hours of meeting time together
• Completed the reflection survey (both partners must have completed the survey individually)

Application Package Submission Criteria

Each eligible partnership must submit a completed online application package by the dates specified within your Intercultural Partnership Program assignment. Late packages will not be accepted.

Online Application Package

Partnerships should work on their application and review the online application form together. This time does not count towards the 7 minimum partnership hours.

Only ONE member of the partnership should submit the online application on behalf of the partnership.

The application package consists of:

1. A completed entry form (link below), submitted by one partner in the partnership
2. A minimum 500-word written document (in .pdf format) that illustrates, in detail, how the partnership embraced the Intercultural Partnership Program and proved excellent partnership qualities and skills. This document must be attached to the application form. Photos can be included within the document to help illustrate the partnership experience (copy and paste into the document). No separate photos will be accepted other than those included in the document. The document should demonstrate some, or all, of the following role expectations, as outlined in the IPP guide and discussed in the orientation session:
   • Partners displayed a positive attitude and genuine interest in the partnership
   • Partners embraced equality within the partnership (including equal sharing / learning, collaboration in negotiation goals, planning activities etc)
   • Partners deliberately sought out a variety of new experiences together and embraced the time spent together
   • Partners explored cultural differences together and engaged in meaningful and respectful conversations on topics that matter to them
   • Partners were able to tolerate and engage ambiguity
   • Partners stayed connected: with each other and the Partnership Program Coordinator
   • Partners respected confidentiality in one another
   • Both partners stepped out of their everyday comfort zones
   • Other Mentor qualities/skills embraced in the partnership, as discussed in the orientation session
3. Students must be in good academic standing with their program and RRC Polytech.

Selection Process

All application packages will be reviewed and evaluated by a judging panel.

Packages will be evaluated for:

1. Eligibility;
2. Evidence of how the partnership embraced the Intercultural Partnership Program as demonstrated in the word document, and;
3. Documentation collected about the partnership throughout the program, including program application forms, communications with the Partnership Program Coordinator, mid-point check-ins.
4. Demonstration of intercultural awareness and learning from both partners.

*For student recipients, the award will be given in the form of a $500 cheque. Faculty or staff do not qualify for the monetary award but can still receive their Award Certificate.

Entry Form

Before you begin this application, please ensure that you:

1. Completed the Intercultural Partnership Program with your partner
2. Have your partner’s permission to apply for the award on behalf of your partnership
3. Review the Criteria and Submission process
4. Have completed a minimum 500-word written document that illustrates, in detail, how your partnership embraced the Intercultural Partnership Program and be prepared to upload it to this form.

If you participated in the Intercultural Partnership Program in both the fall and the winter with separate partners, you are welcome to submit an application for each partnership.

Please fill out this application.