According to the CBC, there are more international students coming to Canada than ever. In this global climate, it makes sense. We’re one of the most welcoming, openly multicultural countries around the globe, and Toronto is Canada’s most multicultural city. Centennial College is dedicated to taking in international students and helps to make their transition to Canada as simple as possible. Any international student in need of help should visit our International Education Centre at Progress Campus, but there’s more to how we support international education than just that.
1. We come to you, with international offices located worldwide
While the International Centre is a valuable resource itself, if you’re interested in coming to Centennial College, you don’t need to come all the way to Canada to get information. We have branch offices across the globe, where you can go to get the necessary information and begin the process of application. We also offer Virtual Fairs, where you can video chat online with the college, to get all the information you need.
2 We help you with the transition to school in a new country
Among the services offered at International Education Student Centre at our Progress Campus, or our previously mentioned satellite offices, are programs and services to teach you about immigration, health insurance, English conversation skills, and work and study information. You can read a bit about them all in our International Student Handbook, or you can come directly to us if you have questions.
3 We help integrate you into the college
For example, if you haven’t found accommodation in Toronto, the International Centre can help by setting you up with different housing options. You can stay at our residence, live with other students off-campus, or participate in our Homestay program, where you partner up with a family to stay with in order to adjust to your new city. We also cover smaller things, like how to succeed in a Canadian classroom.
4 We help integrate you into the community
It’s not just the official business we help you out with. Once you get to Canada, we’ll help you with transitioning to life in the country. It’s normal for an International Student to go through a period of adjustment when you land in a new environment. Luckily, we're here to help.
The International Centre regularly receives newsletters from the Read International Education Centre, which include resources for settling into the community, like ethnic grocery stores, transportation services, and more. Meanwhile, the Counselling services at Centennial can help you with cultural changes, or just someone to talk to.
5. We’ll point you to cultural events you can take part in, including our own
The International Education Centre hosts cultural events at each campus of the school all year 'round. Once you can get email from the college, we'll let you know when they’re happening. We'll also post flyers at the International Education Centre, and you can also learn about events on social media. We have several international communities on Facebook you can join (general international student, Caribbean,Korean, Hispanic and Vietnamese) to hear more about what's going on.
6. We’ll help you after you graduate, too
Once you graduate, the International Education Centre and Career Services continue to be excellent resources. After all, we want you to go on and become ambassadors of the college by getting a career in the field you want, so we'll continue to help you succeed, whether you want to continue your studies, move to a different province, or inquire about work. All you have to do is contact the International Office.
By Anthony Geremia