Probably a co-op program with a University. the University of Waterloo often does 4-month and/or 8-month (depending on the program); the University of Toronto d

Probably a co-op program with a University. the University of Waterloo often does 4-month and/or 8-month (depending on the program); the University of Toronto does 12-month, in partnership with companies that are looking to woo students before they've even finished their undergrad. (Usually it involves the school designing the academic program and shifting when courses are offered (including putting courses in the spring/summer) to accommodate the work term.) The grandparent appears to go to the University of British Columbia, judging from their profile.