“Government, community and industry leaders all recognize the region’s universities as some of the best sources of new immigrants.” Peter Halpin is the executive director of the Association of Atlantic Universities
International students can count on a warm welcome in Atlantic Canada, where universities provide an environment that allows them to thrive during their studies as well as create opportunities for pursuing a career after graduation.
According to a 2017 International Graduate Study conducted by the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU), international graduates describe their experience studying in the region as positive: 94 per cent agree they felt welcomed and 92 per cent say they enjoyed their time in Atlantic Canada.
Creating favourable conditions for international students is one of the priorities for Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, says Dr. Ather Akbari, academic coordinator of the Master in Applied Economics (MAE) program at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University and chair of the Atlantic Research Group on Economics of Immigration, Aging and Diversity.
The university offers training workshops for faculty and staff to raise awareness about the benefits of diversity on campus and discuss ways to integrate international students into the classroom environment, says Dr. Akbari. The International Student Centre also helps international students adjust to social life in Canada. International students can count on support from staff and faculty as well as student associations to help them settle in and address potential challenges.
“We also cover language training and counselling services,” he says. “And we have specialized staff for helping international students.” In addition to contributing to an enhanced learning experience that comes from a diverse student body, international students are also valued as potential future skilled immigrants, says Dr. Akbari.
Atlantic Canada has more than 14,000 international students attending post‐secondary institutions each year, says Peter Halpin, executive director of the AAU. The combination of attracting potential new residents and at the same time equipping them with up-to-date skills and knowledge makes post-secondary education a key driver for regional growth, he says. “Government, community and industry leaders all recognize the region’s universities as some of the best sources of new immigrants.”
The region’s universities are known for providing quality education and positive student experiences, says Halpin. As a result, 65 per cent of international graduates participating in the 2017 survey said they hoped to stay in Atlantic Canada. As top three reasons to stay, they identified “cost of living, a great place to raise a family and quality of life,” while the top reason to leave was “lack of job opportunities.”
To boost retention rates, Saint Mary’s University links students to potential local employers and offers services that improve their chances for joining public or private organizations, for example, help with preparing resumes, training for job interviews and visits to potential job sites.
Speaker series and networking events also help to link students to potential opportunities, says Dr. Akbari. “And when there is an event in the city, we encourage our students to attend. For example, we covered the registration costs for our MAE students to attend a recent Atlantic Provinces Economic Council event. Events like this give them a chance to connect with local businesses.
“Our graduates have been able to find jobs in government and the private sector,” says Dr. Akbari. Among the international students who have launched successful careers in Atlantic Canada is an MAE graduate from Ghana who first worked at the Nova Scotia provincial government, then moved to Ontario and recently returned to Halifax to work at RBC. Another graduate, from Jamaica, worked with the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and later started a position at the Province of New Brunswick.
When international students stay in Atlantic Canada, they are not only a source for skilled talent, they also increase the population’s diversity, which, in turn, benefits society, adds Dr. Akbari.
Produced by Randall Anthony Communications. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved in its creation.