Join ENGAGE Youth and Make an Impact!
Ready to build skills, explore new opportunities, and travel? ENGAGE Youth, in partnership with Suncrest College, empowers Indigenous young people—especially women—with training, mentorship, and hands-on experiences to create change in their communities and beyond.
As part of the program, participants will immerse themselves in Guyana’s rich culture and natural beauty through activities such as cultural workshops, craft weaving, Indigenous language lessons, traditional dance, and stargazing. They’ll also explore the Marabunta Trail, paddle the Burro Burro River, visit Kumu Falls, the Seawalls, and Batavia Waterpark, and take part in business development workshops and sight-seeing tours—all while connecting learning with real-world experiences.
Learn, grow, and be part of a movement that’s shaping a sustainable, low-carbon future in Guyana!
Student Eligibility
STUDENT'S ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
Must be a current Suncrest College student or staff member.
Must be a Canadian citizen or hold permanent resident status.
Must have completed at least one semester of the program or be close to completing the first semester.
Must be in good standing with the program and all program fees paid.
Students must be between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age.
Must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of the trip. If you do not have a passport, you must be willing to get a passport.
Must be willing to be enrolled as a volunteer. As a volunteer, you must:
be willing to get all required vaccinations eg. yellow fever.
be able to pass a medical exam.
be willing to get a criminal record check.
Selection Criteria
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Only the applications from students who are in good academic standing, have demonstrated the potential benefit of the travel experience, have fulfilled the eligibility criteria, and have submitted a complete application and supportive documents will be reviewed by the selection committee. Submission of a complete application does not guarantee a seat in this exchange program.
The selection committee will consider the following criteria in selecting the recipient:
A paragraph describing the reason why this opportunity would benefit the student's educational journey.
Valid travel documents (e.g. Passport) or the ability to get a passport.
Support of application from Program Manager/Coordinator establishing you are a good representative of the College, Saskatchewan, and Canada. Selection Committee will send out Cultural Exchange Participant Endorsement forms to Program Manager/Coordinator.
Applications will be evaluated on a point system.
Selected students will be invited to an interview with the selection committee.
Priority of the WUSC cultural exchange will be given to underrepresented students (Indigenous students), however we encourage everyone to apply.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this form, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at [email protected].
For more information regarding this cultural exchange program, follow the link to our website Suncrest College - 2026 Cultural Student Exchange to Guyana
Virtual Information Session
A virtual information session will be held on Thursday, November 6th from 4:00 - 5:00 PM.
ENGAGE Youth: Empowering the Next Generation in Guyana
The ENGAGE Youth project empowers Indigenous youth—particularly young women—across Guyana’s Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9. By providing life skills, vocational training, entrepreneurship opportunities, and mentorship, the project strengthens personal, household, and community capacities while promoting gender equality.
Through gender-responsive and youth-sensitive programs, ENGAGE Youth supports sustainable, climate-resilient economic initiatives, enhances youth participation in community planning, and aligns with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The project also builds the capacity of community leaders and organizations to reduce barriers for young women and ensure development benefits are inclusive.
Key Details:
- Target Participants: Indigenous youth and women
- Initiatives: Skills training, mentorship, empowerment workshops, exchange learning, and business development in low-carbon, climate-resilient sectors
- Partners: Guyana government ministries and agencies, NGOs, and regional/community organizations
- When: May 2026, 10 day trip
- Donor: Global Affairs Canada
- Implementing Agency: World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
Ultimate Goal: Enhanced empowerment and agency of Indigenous youth, especially young women, in Guyana.
Activities include:
- Cultural workshops
- Craft weaving
- Indigenous language lessons
- Traditional dance
- Stargazing
- Exploration of the Marabunta Trail
- Burro Burro River paddle
- Visit to Kumu Falls
- Visit to the Seawalls
- Batavia Waterpark experience
- Business development workshops
- Sight-seeing tours
Important Dates