Which College or University in Canada should I choose?
I received more than one offer- How did I choose Algonquin College?
Adriana Rosacolocho, a Digital Marketing Communication student from El Salvador at Algonquin College, shares why she choose Algonquin College over other offers and how Algonquin’s support for international students gave her confidence in her decision.
Receiving more than one offer from several colleges/universities was exciting but made my decision more difficult. Each school had good programs, and I could imagine myself studying in any of them. Once I received the acceptance letter I needed to think about the kind of support I would receive before arriving in Canada, during my studies, and while preparing for my future career.
I asked myself several questions such as “Would I know what to do before traveling?” Who could help me understand immigration requirements?” “What would happen if I struggled academically or felt homesick?” These were questions that kept going on repeatedly in my mind.
When comparing my options, Algonquin College stood out because its International Education Centre offered support at different stages of the student journey, not only after I arrived on campus.
Comparing more than one program
The program I would choose was an important part of the decision, but it was not the whole factor. I compared the curriculum, learning environments, location, costs, and opportunities to gain practical skills. I also looked carefully at the services available to international students.
Moving to Canada involved steps that I was not familiarized with. I would need to prepare documents, understand the conditions connected to my studies and work, arrange housing, manage health coverage, and adapt to a new academic culture. I wanted to choose a place where I could ask questions and find reliable information instead of trying to manage everything alone.
Algonquin’s International Education Center or IEC became an important part of my decision to study at Algonquin College. Knowing that there was a place where I could go if I needed help gave me confidence in accepting my offer.
Support before Arrival
One thing I liked was the amount of pre-arrival information available to international students. Through the Goin’ app, future students can connect with classmates, current students, and International Student Ambassadors. The iCent app also gives the opportunity for international students’ access to resources, services, online portals, and important notifications from the IEC.
Algonquin also offers sessions before the beginning of each term, which are useful as they help the transition to life in Ottawa and the College.
Algonquin also has free arrival services through SAC Services. These services include:
- Pick up from the Ottawa Airport, Ottawa bus station, or the train station
- Assistance with finding accommodation
- Help get star-up groceries
- Help opening a bank account
This support made the first day in Canada a little easier. All these services also have to be requested in advance as they are only available during specific arrival periods.
Orientation
Algonquin’s international student orientation was another reason why I felt comfortable choosing Algonquin College. The international student orientation, provides more information than the general college welcome, some of the topics are:
- Immigration information related to work and studies
- Safety, security, and scam prevention
- Avoiding academic misconduct
- IEC services and support
There is also AC Day 1, which is the day before class starts, which is where you would meet your classmates and professors, receive technology support, attend a program orientation, and join a new international-student social.
Help with Immigration and Important Questions
As an international student, I had some questions that could affect my studies and work plans. Algonquin provides online immigration resources and the opportunity to book one-on-one appointments.
Another concern that I had was what would happen if I got sick, do I have to get my own insurance? The best part of studying at Algonquin is that Algonquin already provides health insurance that is included in your tuition.
On campus, students can also access Health Services to meet with a nurse or a doctor. Counseling Services are also available.
Academic Support when I need it
I also compared how each college would help me succeed academically. At Algonquin, they have several academics support such as
- The coaching labs and student learning center for individual or small group coaching, which are free of charge
- They have peer tutoring that can be offered in person or online.
- The center of accessible learning for students who require academic accommodations and educational support
- Support from program coordinators that can help answer program-specific questions.
I like that the resources are practical, and accessible. Instead of waiting until I feel completely overwhelmed, I can access these resources before the overwhelming feeling comes.
Preparing for Work after Graduation
I did not want to choose a college that would not lead me to opportunities for my future. I also wanted to understand how it could help me prepare for employment in Canada.
The Algonquin’s Employability Toolkit for International students include career-related resources such as the International Student Employment Supports Handbook (PDF),The Co-op Career Center, Career Development Services, and Career Coach, which can connect programs with jobs and local wage information.
These resources gave me the opportunity to work as a Social Media Ambassador at Algonquin College, where I gained hands-on experience creating content and promoting the college to prospective international students. This role has allowed me to apply what I am learning as a Digital Marketing Communications student. Algonquin has also helped me build the skills and confidence I need to pursue future co-op opportunities and marketing positions. In addition, my experience at Algonquin helped me prepare for my job at Planet Fitness, where I continue to develop my customer service, communication, and teamwork skills.
Although these resources did not guarantee me a job, they gave me a better understanding of the steps I needed to take to find employment. I knew I was responsible for preparing my resume, applying for jobs, attending interviews, and following the rules for working as an international student. However, having access to these resources gave me a starting point and made the job search process easier, which ended up giving me the opportunity to work at Algonquin for my social media ambassadors job and get my part time job at Planet Fitness . It also reassured me that there were people and services available at Algonquin that I could turn to for help and advice when needed.
Why Algonquin became my choice
I chose Algonquin because I could see support at every point of my journey:
- Before arrival: online connections, app, and transition sessions.
- When Arrival: arrival services, groceries help, and help opening a bank account.
- At the beginning of my studies: AC Day 1, international orientation.
- During my studies: advisors, immigration resources, health insurance information, counseling, health services, and academic coaching.
- Plan for my future: employability resources, career development services, co-op and Career Center, Career Coach.
All these services and the help that Algonquin gives to their international students, is what made me want to study at Algonquin.
My Advice to international students
If you have received more than one offer, do not make your decision only by looking at the campus photos. Make comparison checklists, look at the programs, the cost of studying, location, housing, health coverage, immigration support, and career preparation.