Universities in Nova Scotia are all set to welcome back international students who have been kept away due to the COVID-19 pandemic
According to an official release from the province of Nova Scotia, over 24 institutions from the province are expected to start accepting international students in early November with extra health precautions in place. In more recent news, several schools across Canada were approved to make the move last week.
Saint Mary’s University in Halifax is one of the post-secondary schools in the province that will be allowed to accept international students back on campus in November. Robert Summerby-Murray, president of Saint Mary’s University welcomed the decision. He added, “International students bring a tremendous vibrancy, of course”.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada keeps a list of learning institutions that can receive international students. Nova Scotia schools are expected to be included when the list is updated on Nov. 3. Although this first semester has been completely online, Saint Mary’s is moving to a hybrid learning model this winter where students can attend more classes and lectures on campus depending on their year and program.
All post-secondary schools have to follow public health guidelines including ensuring students arriving from another country quarantine for 14 days, as well as providing accommodations, transportation and meals during quarantine. Summerby-Murray said Saint Mary’s has space in residences and off-campus housing ready for international students, while certain hotels may also be an option. The number of international students continuing their studies online at Saint Mary’s this year has not changed during the pandemic, said Summerby-Murray.
Dalhousie University in Halifax expects to see at least 250 international students come back to Nova Scotia between now and Jan. 31, 2021. Janet Bryson, a spokesperson for Dalhousie, said the school’s plan to welcome those students back has been approved by the provincial Department of Advanced Education. Most of the students are already enrolled online. Upon arriving in Halifax, students will be quarantined for 14 days at a hotel approved by the university. Last year, the province said Nova Scotia welcomed more than 12,000 international post-secondary students from more than 150 countries.
Source: CBC
Canada Campus Visits 