Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

Overseas Students Want International Experience When They Study Abroad

Source: IDP Connect

In spite of the obstacles that the coronavirus pandemic has thrown in the way of international students, their desire to study abroad remains strong. A survey of 6,000 students planning to travel internationally to further their studies has provided new insight on what their plans are going forward.

Most of the respondents still intend to study abroad as expected with the majority of them aspiring to gain international experience during their studies. Just 10% of students said that they were willing to complete courses that lacked an on-campus aspect. However if an online course eventually offered an in-person component, 43% would be interested in it.

Being able to travel internationally to experience a new country is such an important factor to future overseas students that 39% of them would choose a higher learning institution in a different country if their original destination was not ready to resume classes in-person. 30% would even decline a scholarship if it meant they would be on campus earlier somewhere else.

With COVID-19 still looming, 55% of students claimed they were happy to get vaccinated before the start of a semester abroad and only 6% hope to delay their plans until vaccinations are not mandatory for international travel.

When asked about their perceptions of popular study abroad destinations, the students surveyed mainly cited Canada as their destination of choice due to government policies that welcome immigrants and international students.

The study makes clear that students still have an appetite to study abroad but courses from overseas institutions that they complete from their home country are not what they are looking for. They want the experience of living and working in a new country, like Canada, that has a history of embracing newcomers. Vaccine hesitancy is a factor to some with a number of students wanting more information on any potential risks. International students largely do not mind getting vaccinated though as long as it keeps them safe and lets them travel sooner.

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Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

Institutions Increase Financial Aid to Attract International Students After Pandemic

Source: ICEF Monitor, International Language Academy of Canada

A current trend among higher education institutions is to make tuition more affordable for the international students that they are so eager to bring to their campuses. One example of a Canadian institution trying to entice overseas students is the International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC).

Students enrolled in ILAC’s KISS virtual classes are able to earn KISS dollars for every Canadian dollar it costs. KISS dollars can then be used to offset the cost of future ILAC courses in Vancouver or Toronto.

ILAC also announced a partnership with Air Canada that will reduce the cost of international travel for students with a study permit. Once enrolled at ILAC or one of their partner institutions, students will be able to get 15% off the cost of their Air Canada flight.

Both deals from ILAC are available until the end of 2021 and additional details can be found on their website.

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Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

The Pros & Cons of Studying Abroad

A recent post by Students Explore Australia looked at many of the benefits and drawbacks of the study abroad experience. For some, traveling to a new country can be something they have looked forward to for years. Others though might be hesitant to leave their friends and family before going to a part of the world they barely know.

For a brief taste of the article, here are a few points to be made for each side of the overseas education argument:

Pros

  • New outlooks and perspectives
  • Adventures and life experiences
  • Improved salary/career prospects

Cons

  • Homesickness
  • Tuition costs
  • Culture shock

To read the full post, we encourage you to check it out on the SEA website. It’s full of information and insight that will prove useful to any student considering studying abroad to further their education.

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Canada Campus Visits Study and live in Canada

Past International Students in Canada Now Eligible for New Open Work Permit

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, international students who have recently graduated now face a difficult situation if they hold a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). For these new graduates to apply for permanent residence in Canada, they are required to work a certain number of hours to gain experience. However with lockdown measures in place throughout so many communities, this is difficult to accomplish before the deadline.

The Government of Canada has acted to help international students by giving current and former PGWP holders the chance to apply for an open work permit that will be valid for 18 months. This decision aims to assist overseas students who either held or still hold a PGWP by letting them continue their job search in these uncertain times. Foreign nationals will be able to apply from January 27 to July 27, 2021.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mendicino said, “Our message to international students and graduates is simple: we don’t just want you to study here, we want you to stay here.”

In 2019, an excess of 58,000 graduates applied to immigrate to Canada and the government seeks to increase this number further in the years to come. It values study abroad students as not just new contributors to the economy but skilled immigrants who, with their top-tier Canadian education and work experience, can help the nation return to strength post-pandemic.

Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

How International Study Enhances Student Cultural Comprehension

Source: The PIE | Image Credit: Disney’s Recess

International study opportunities are crucial for the development culturally savvy, global citizens. As different cultures have their own unique customs, it is important for each of us to understand and respect them while identifying the similarities we have in common. Studying abroad helps us accomplish this in several ways:

  • Exposes Students to New Languages
  • Betters Our Understanding of Different Perspectives
  • Increases Cultural Sensitivity
  • Introduces New Ideas
  • Improves Academic Outcomes and Career Prospects

To read more about how an international education pays dividends for overseas students, please visit the PIE blog.

Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

25 Benefits of Studying Abroad

Source: Study and Go Abroad

From new friends and new foods to more confidence and career options, choosing to study abroad leads to a great variety of benefits. Are you trying to decide if studying in Canada is the best option for you? If you are, here is an infographic full of facts that you should find helpful.

Was any of this information surprising to you? Is there anything you would add to benefit future international students? Let us know in the comment section!

Canada Campus Visits Campus Life, Canada, Study and live in Canada

Top 5 Reasons to Study In Canada

Source: Universities Canada

A group of students completing their post-secondary education in Canada was recently interviewed about how they enjoyed studying in the country. The group was also asked to discuss the reasons that made them choose Canada as an international education destination. They explained, in the above video, that Canada is known for offering educational programs that are recognized globally at rates that are more affordable that other countries. Canada also boasts a safe, multicultural society with colleges and universities that strive to see their students succeed.

Canada Campus Visits Study Overseas

University Study Abroad: Good for the Character and the Bank Balance

Source: GIPHY, The Guardian

Students choose to further their education overseas for a variety of reasons. Some want to go on an adventure, some see tuition more affordable than in their home country and others hope to improve their career prospects. While the idea of studying abroad is often enticing to students, parents usually have a harder time accepting it.

There are a few things the parents of international students can do to adjust to their children traveling abroad. First, they have to trust that this experience will be beneficial. Students who go overseas to pursue higher education have been seen to gain confidence, life skills, maturity and better their self-awareness.

Social media can be very important. Whether scheduling regular video chats or just seeing pictures and posts online, parents can still keep up to date on what’s going on in the lives of their children.

It is also important for parents to do their homework. Understand the campus and the city that the student will be staying in. Talk to others who have spent time at the institution and learn as much as possible in order to feel comfortable. Canada Campus Visits encourages parents and students to join us on our campus tours so everyone can have the chance to see what Canadian colleges and universities are like.

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Ways To Be A Social Butterfly While Studying Abroad

Source: Study International

Regardless of their age, students always want to have friends to rely on at school. This can be even more important for international students than most because they may need people in their life who can help them maneuver through a new country and culture. One article suggests these steps to making friends while you study abroad:

  • Don’t place too much pressure on yourself
  • Meet as many people as you can
  • Do what you like doing
  • Don’t be afraid of trying new things
  • Embrace and enjoy the experience

Do you have any suggestions that you think should make this list? Let us know in the comments so we can help everyone choosing to study in Canada come out of their shell and feel comfortable as soon as they arrive.

Also, if you’d like to be friends with us on social media, check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Canada Campus Visits Campus Life

How Living Abroad Helps You Develop a Clearer Sense of Self

Source: Harvard Business Review

With an ever increasing number of people choosing to study abroad, recent studies have indicated the positive effects international travel experiences can have. According to the Harvard Business Review, travel abroad increases your creativity, lowers tendencies to suffer from group bias and promotes overall career success.

Research was conducted with almost 2,000 participants and claimed that those who lived abroad had a more defined sense of themselves. Such clarity was associated with improved performance at work and personal well-being.