The 2019 pandemic has served as a catalyst for most of us. It brought about changes in our lives, most of it negative for sure, but some people have managed to see the silver lining behind the clouds.
Chelsea is one of those people who have taken the pandemic as a chance to reflect and plan for her future and finally take action to change the course of her life.
“During the start of the [pandemic], I was a full-time employee working from home. I felt the need to improve myself through studying and saw that Canada is slowly going back to in-person classes and this is where I decided to apply as an international student. In addition to this, Canada has the best quality of life according to my research online which is also the reason that enticed me to come here.”
Coming to Canada
International students who wish to come here understand that the whole process from choosing a school to getting a study permit is not a piece of cake. It takes a lot of effort, time, and dedication. Luckily, help comes to those who seek it. International students can apply by themselves, but there is an advantage in going for professional advice, especially in time-sensitive cases like your study permit.
“Prior to coming here, I did intensive research online to see which schools would fit me. Another thing I did was approach different agencies in the Philippines that cater to aspiring international students. I discussed with them the goals I have, and in turn, they provided me with schools and programs that are applicable to me. I asked the services of an immigration consultant to help me with my application to my school and to get my Canadian Visa. The immigration team guided me throughout the whole process and answered any queries that I had promptly.”
Managing Studies During the Pandemic
“I chose [KPU]l because it has the option to do a Co-Op program which is similar to an internship. By taking a Co-Op program, I can gain Canadian work experience which will hopefully help me to get a job once I graduate.”
Chelsea arrived in Canada last August 2021 and is pursuing a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Human Resources Management at KPU.
“I was working in the field of human resources and my current program is very much related to my education in Canada. When I started in the Fall of 2021, all of my classes were online. I was worried that it might not be an easy transition but because my school offered various workshops to prepare us for the school term, I was able to integrate into the online student life easier. Now, I have partial in-person classes and it feels great because I can collaborate with my classmates better and my instructors really aim for an interactive environment. Life in Canada has been good. Being here made me more independent as I am forced to do things on my own which feels liberating.”
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
KPU has been providing top-notch and practical education for over 40 years now not only for the western Canada population but internationally as well.
Being a polytechnic university, KPU offers world-class education combined with hands-on and experiential learning making sure that students come out career-ready.
“[KPU offers] a range of degree, diploma, certificate, and citation programs with opportunities for hands-on experience and experiential learning. Why stop at theory when you can also harness the power of experience? Launch your career and make a positive impact on your community with experiential learning at KPU: where thought meets action.”
Sources: Kwantlen Polytechnic University