Vibrant Student Life

The Department of International Development Studies at Trent attracts bright and socially committed students. Our majors come from all regions of Canada and most parts of the world. Many will already have had substantial first hand exposure to development issues and bring a particular enthusiasm from that experience. Most see themselves as activists, anxious to change the world, and they provide each other with a great deal of moral and intellectual support.

There are numerous opportunities on campus for IDS students to be involved in activities that reinforce and complement their academic program. The Students’ Association in International Development (SAID) organizes events, film nights, and engages in dialogue with IDS students across Canada. In addition, many IDS students volunteer and work at organizations such as the Kawartha World Issues Centre, the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) and the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), to name just a few.

There are also opportunities to earn academic credit for work with local community groups through the Trent Centre for Community-Based Education (TCCBE).

“I chose my degree program carefully, selecting IDS at Trent for its strengths in teaching and in the provision of structured opportunities for experiential learning. The enthusiasm and encouragement of our professors paved the way for us to create a thriving, diverse, and civically engaged undergrad community - not only within IDS at Trent, but one that involves students enrolled in other programs and at other schools - and to convene the very first national undergraduate students' conference in International Development Studies.”

~Sam Grey, IDS Student