Students in our Deaf Empowerment Program travelled to Guatemala in 2025. The program was designed to develop leadership skills among students in response to the need for future leaders in the Hamilton Deaf Community. Students participated in pre-departure training, the Intercultural Development Inventory (ASL version), and hands-on community activities, where they applied leadership, advocacy, and cross-cultural skills while engaging with Deaf community members. The experience allowed students to reflect on cultural differences, practice communication strategies, and contribute meaningfully to local initiatives, fostering personal growth, confidence, and global citizenship.

Watch the students from the Deaf Empowerment Program as they travel through Guatemala 

In February 2024, Mohawk College students and faculty embarked on a trip to Croatia, exploring a millennium of history while developing skills for the future. Through guided tours of historic cities, national parks, and cultural landmarks, as well as workshops on design thinking and sustainability, students practiced intercultural communication, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

Participants reflected on the transformative nature of the experience, building global competencies, forming lasting friendships, and gaining real-world insights into different cultures, perspectives, and ways of thinking.

Read about the student and faculty experiences in Croatia

In spring 2019, three students and one faculty member from Mohawk’s Tourism program participated in a 3-week, co-curricular experience in Campeche, Mexico.

In partnership with local hotels (Holiday Inn and Don Gustavo Boutique Hotel), the group gained front line experience, developed social media strategies for the Ministry of Tourism, Campeche, and helped tailor the guest experience through a Canadian customer lens.

The students completed their placement by presenting our partners with a summary of their findings and thoughts on how they might be applied to increase tourism in the area.

From May to July 2019, four students from the Business – Marketing program participated in unpaid work placements in Milan, Italy. The placements were organized by institutional partner, Jobs Academy (JAC).

The placements took place at Caronte Law Firm and Price Waterhouse Coopers. The students received enhanced skills and professional growth.

This program was made possible by Erasmus+ funding, a European Union program that sponsors education and training for European students. Mohawk is one of a limited number of approved Canadian partners with the Erasmus+ Program.

In return, Mohawk College hosted four Italian students during the Fall 2019 semester.

Phase 1

In November 2018, 12 students and 4 staff members went to Bowden Hill, Jamaica to participate in renovation and renewal efforts at Bowden Hill Primary School. The school has 85 students and 7 teachers and is nestled in the mountains of this small Jamaican town.

The students were from the following programs: Computer Networking, Computer Software, Photography, and Building Renovation.

Students installed new computers, set up the computer network, and provided workshops for students and teachers. They took measurements and did specification drawings for Phase 2 of the project, which focused on renovations. They also organized a community engagement event at the school which involved members of the school, parents, and the surrounding community.

Phase 2

In February 2019, 12 students traveled back to Jamaica to implement the renovation plans for Bowden Hill Primary School. They renovated the school’s kitchen, built shelving units for the library, painted, and installed whiteboards in all of the classrooms.;

The students were from the following programs: Construction Engineering Technology, Building Renovation, and Photography. Each student received a credit through the Global Experience general elective.