Schools Civil Engineering - University of Waterloo Vs. University of British Columbia

[Lemm]

Civil Engineering -- University of Waterloo Vs. University of British Columbia

Im currently a high school senior in Panama. I will graduate in one month with an IB Diploma. I am considering two universities right now, Waterloo and UBC both for civil engineering. In Waterloo I got into the honour´s program for civil engineering, however I am considering taking honours math in UBC. I am sure I want to take the Co-Op Option both universities offer. However right now I am torn between my belief that perhaps Waterloo has a stronger program, but I am not crazy about the location and weather.
For UBC and Waterloo I guess they are both very good for engineering, but I feel like i need that outdoors feeling coming from a tropical country having two oceans and beaches, etc. I would also prefer mild winters even if it means a lot of rain which I am used to.
I feel Vancouver is a more appealing place to me, as an international metropolis, while Waterloo might be a smaller city. In conclusion I feel worried about the strenght of UBC´s engineering program? and how it matches up to Waterloo´s? For me Waterloo´s appeal is purely its academic strenght, however I feel UBC has a strong overall package for me and is a better choice, if the academic difference between both universities will not matter much after I graduate as long as I do well.

 

[mgb_phys]

For an undergrad degree I wouldn't worry too much about the relative merits of top class universities in the same country.
The 'reputation' is generally based on some famous research somebody you will never see did years ago, or which has more noble prize winners, who did the research years ago somewhere else, or some artificial league table.

The fame of a particular group does matter to a PhD or in an academic career. But at ugrad it generally doesn't reflect on the quality of the teaching or the value of the degree.
But - check that both places are accredited with the relevant engineering council (so the degrees count to a CEng/PEng).

The location does matter, that you enjoy living somewhere is an important factor to your success in a degree.

 

[Lemm]

Thank you for the advise. I guess I would like to perhaps after obtaining my bachelors move on and perhaps work a year or two with structures and buildings. Later returning to obtain a masters that is related to renewable/sustainable energies and their integration into buildings and structures.

 

[mgb_phys]

A couple of points to think about.
A Canadian engineering degree is going to be as widely recognised as a US/UK/European degree wherever you work - learning in English is useful, so you can probably go on to do a further degree anywhere you want.

The engineering profession in Canada is heavily regulated, check that in order to stay on track as a professional engineer you don't have to work for a certain number of years under a Canadian qualified engineer. It would be a shame to finish an expensive degree and 'waste' it because you need to have certified work experience to get a PEng - this might not matter if you intend to work in Panama.

Also engineering degrees often require students to get some internship experience. Check what help they offer their students to find placements. Also check if your visa situation will be a problem - does it allow you to do internship/work experience in Canada? If not - will the dept approve some company in Panama?

Both universities have a lot of overseas students (especialy in engineering) so I'm sure they have all this worked out.