International Education Week

During the week of November 18-22, 2013, Parkland College joins educational institutions from across Canada and over 100 other countries in celebrating International Education Week (IEW). This year's theme is "Celebrating Canada's Engagement with the World."

IEW is an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of international education and its significant benefits to our social, economic, and cultural well-being. It underscores the value that Canadians place on connecting with the world through studying abroad, internationalized curricula, international service, and on opening the world to Canada by welcoming international elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students, promoting international exchanges, and encouraging qualified foreign students to make Canada their new home.

Parkland College continues to work on expanding the scope of its program for international students. The initiative began in the 2009-10 academic year with a lone student from Chile and it has grown steadily since then. In 2012-13, the college hosted a record 72 students. Currently, the college has 20 international students on campus, with another 30 to 45 expected to arrive in the new year. Current students in the program are from India, the United States, and Fiji. In January, students from Jamaica, Belize, and Bosnia will join them. International students must meet the same program standards as any other student, along with an English requirement.

"We are dedicated to giving our international students the best educational experience possible," said Lisa Cadieux de Larios, International Coordinator at Parkland College. "But these young people are also studying here to learn about our local customs and what it means to be Canadian. Their experience is really well-rounded through their interaction with other students, instructors, and the entire community."

Parkland College will participate in IEW with several events, including a "Diversity on Campus" photo contest. The contest is open to all staff and students who may submit photos highlighting the diverse backgrounds of people at Parkland College this week.

This year's celebrations take on new importance in light of the college's educational partnership with the University of Belize, Lakeland College, and Bow Valley College. The three-year project, which officially launched in April, seeks to solidify competency-based education training in Belize with a focus on sharing the colleges' expertise on agriculture, entrepreneurship, and forming links with industry. Parkland College has a long history of working with local communities to support economic growth through education. The college will share its best practices to support the University of Belize's growth and development.