During the week of November 12-16 the Parkland College joined educational institutions from across Canada and over 100 other countries in celebrating International Education Week (IEW).
IEW is an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of international education and its significant benefits to our social, economic, and cultural well-being. This year's theme is "Canada Engages with the World: Realizing Our Potential through International Education." It is estimated that international students generate $8 billion for the Canadian economy each year.
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. It has grown steadily since then, and in 2012-13, the college is hosting 31 learners from Jamaica, Bangladesh and India. These students are taking classes at the main campus in Yorkton in the program areas of Business, Office Education, Continuing Care Assistant and Intensive Academic English. International students must meet the same program standards as any other student, along with an English requirement.
"Parkland College offers better opportunities for international students to get more knowledge," says business student Gaganpreet Kaur Dhaliwal. "The college really supports and guides us."
"Our international students look to us for the best educational experience and we're dedicated to providing that," adds Lisa Cadieux de Larios, International Coordinator at Parkland College.
Parkland College is the only Saskatchewan Regional College authorized to offer the Off-Campus Work Permit Program.
