international students

Algonquin College Pembroke Campus International Alumnus Pursues Nursing Career

Aneeta Jacob was only 17 years old when she travelled abroad to enroll in the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. She had grown up in the southern section of India, a tropical region where the temperatures routinely hit 30 degrees Celcius, but she had become captivated by the pictures she had seen of the snowy conditions of Canada. She knew in her heart, some day she would live in this country that seemed so far away.

“I thought the snow would feel like cotton, but coming to Canada, I never knew the snow would be so cold,” says Jacob who has now settled into her adopted country as a permanent resident and is pursuing her dream to work in health care.

Student studying in campus library.

Aneeta Jacob was only 17 years old when she left India to study in the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.

In India, she had written an entrance test to study medicine, but the draw to Canada and her young age prompted her to change her plans. She had no idea where Pembroke was, but she was excited when she received an offer of admission from the International Education Centre at Algonquin College.

With only one family member living in Canada, an aunt based in Calgary, Jacob was setting out on her own, eyes wide open with the hopes of starting a new life that would include the fluffy white stuff that had first drawn her to considering studying abroad. She came to the Pembroke Campus at a time when there were only a handful of international students, enrolling in the fall of 2018. Her friendly disposition allowed her to connect easily with classmates and staff, helping her make the transition to her new home.

“I am so happy I got into Algonquin College. The staff and faculty made me feel at home. I now see how much they cared,” says Jacob who now lives in Alberta and is studying to become a registered nurse at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

It was the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficult isolation that came with it that prompted Jacob to re-locate to the West. She was only a few weeks away from completing her Social Service Worker program when the pandemic kept her in a tiny apartment in Pembroke, not able to make the connections with people who had helped her navigate her time in school and in the broader community.

International nursing student

Aneeta Jacob graduated from the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. She is now studying nursing at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

Her parents in India were worried about her safety, prompting her Aunt in Calgary to reach out, encouraging her to come live with her until things improved, but at the height of the pandemic it meant Jacob would need to stay in isolation for 14 days. Not being able to connect with her Aunt in person, despite living in the same house was really difficult, but in the pre-vaccination world of COVID, she did what she needed to do, following public health guidelines to protect others.

“It was very tough on me living alone in the basement of the home. I watched a lot of youtube videos,” says Jacob who stayed with her aunt for six months.

During COVID, many government services were not available. Jacob desperately wanted to get her post graduate employment permit so she could start working in the social work field, but she would have to wait. It took months to get it, but when it did come through, Jacob was on the move, seeking employment in her field.

She moved to Edmonton, but because of the pandemic shutdowns, she had trouble finding work, until an opportunity to work with people with disabilities opened a door for her to start her career in the social work field in the small town of Saint Paul, near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Jacob stayed in the border town for a year-and-a-half, then moved to Airdrie, Alberta, about a 20 minute drive from Calgary. There she became a team lead when she found another job that used her social service worker skills and she gained permanent residency status. She took a driver’s test and got her licence, bought herself a car, giving her more independence and she again started thinking about expanding her career into health care.

International Nursing student.“Nursing called me. I always knew I would do well in a crisis and that I wanted to work in medicine,” says Jacob who has just completed the first year of her baccalaureate program. Her previous studies at Algonquin College have helped her in her university courses, particularly the Developmental Psychology and Communications courses that she completed in the Social Service Worker program.

While she has been away from Pembroke for a few years, Jacob has a longing to return, maybe for a visit or potentially to work as a nurse after she graduates. “Pembroke treated me so warmly and my goal is to do something for Canada and to be a nurse that patients can depend on. I like small towns and once I am done, I want to move back to Pembroke.”

The shortage of nurses in smaller communities has put tremendous stress on the local labour market within the health care field. Jacob is an example of an international student who has fallen in love with Canada and is eager to make a difference in our country, but what separates her from many other immigrants, is her desire to work in a smaller community. While many newcomers settle in larger urban centres, Jacob says she is most at home in places like Saint Paul and Pembroke.

For now, she will work hard to complete her Nursing degree. If all goes as planned, she will graduate in the spring of 2027. A lot can change in three years, but right now Jacob has her eye on Pembroke. She misses the city and thinks often about how her first experience in Canada has shaped her desire to someday be a Canadian citizen, contributing to rural health care.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger. Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

International Student Loves Quiet Tranquility the Pembroke Campus Has to Offer

Monica Numpaque is getting used to the quiet tranquility of Pembroke, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of a large urban city and the noise and pollution that comes with it, replaced by the sound of birds chirping, the occasional honk of a car horn, clean air and the picturesque beauty of Pembroke’s waterfront.

Numpaque arrived in Canada from Bogota, Colombia, a city of 7.5 million people in April, coming to Pembroke to study in the Environmental Management and Assessment program at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus. She was excited to move to Canada for her post-secondary studies, but her expectations have been exceeded.

“I have found that living in a small city like Pembroke has various benefits, including a calm and safe environment. Pembroke is organized and clean, and people have a calm living style, so they are not in a hurry. I appreciate how people are friendly and courteous and welcome you when they see you, wishing you a nice day,” says Numpaque.

International Student Loves Quiet Tranquility

Numpaque and her husband are hoping to immigrate to Canada after she completes her co-op placement at the College where she is a science lab monitor, supporting students studying in the Environmental Technician program. She feels fortunate to be working at the College and says the opportunity to participate in a paid co-op placement attracted her to the program.

“I chose the program at Algonquin College since this college is internationally recognized for offering high-quality academic programs. I chose the Pembroke campus because I wanted to study in a peaceful environment surrounded by nature. Furthermore, the curriculum includes courses in a variety of subjects connected to environmental sciences that are both interesting and useful. The field experiences, as well as the Co-op, attracted me to the program,” says Numpaque.

With no vehicle, Numpaque has been getting to know Pembroke on her bike and by walking around the city. Like many newcomers, she is impressed by the vastness of Canada and the wide open spaces that are found in more rural areas. “Canadians are very friendly and kind, they have helped me to adapt to this country and to learn about their interesting culture. Pembroke is a lovely town surrounded by nature, with great spots to ride a bike and participate in water sports. The architecture of its historic homes, churches, and museums make Pembroke a nice place to live.”

Pembroke a nice place to live

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic last winter, international students studying in the Environmental Management and Assessment program were able to join the program from their home country, taking the entire first semester of the post-graduate certificate program in a virtual setting. They were required to come to Canada for the spring term to ensure they had the opportunity to participate in many hours of field work.

Learning in Canada’s back country has provided Numpaque with not only a practical learning experience, but also an opportunity to appreciate the country’s natural landscape. “I have enjoyed the field trips offered in the program. We have visited wonderful places full of nature with beautiful landscapes. I have enjoyed as well the sample processing lab where I have learned valuable analytical techniques. The campus location fascinates me since it provides a beautiful view of the Ottawa river and is close to the Waterfront Park, where you can relax and enjoy nature,” says Numpaque.

Recently her husband has found work in Ottawa. The couple is planning to buy a vehicle and begin the process of gaining permanent residency status. Their journey is just starting in Canada. For the next few months, Numpaque will spend many hours in the science lab at the Pembroke Campus gaining valuable work experience in her field, working side-by-side faculty and supporting other students enrolled in environmental science programs.

Pre-Health Pathway, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Numpaque has barely spent any time in the country that she hopes to live and work in for many years, but Pembroke has left her with a great first impression of Canada. Her story is an example of how smaller communities that are welcoming to international students and immigrants can be a landing place for newcomers if they are welcoming and have attractions such as post-secondary schools to grab their attention.

It was Algonquin College that brought Numpaque to Pembroke. It will be the community that will help settle her in the city.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs. Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus administers the federally funded Local Immigration Partnership in Lanark and Renfrew Counties, a program that helps communities welcome newcomers to their region.)

 

 

 

 

 

HomeStay Helps International Students Feel at Home

Jennifer AustinSince 2004, Jennifer Austin and her family have hosted out of town college and high school students in their home. Now, she has become a champion for Algonquin College’s efforts to attract more international students to its Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Austin has signed on to host an international student for the Fall 2020 term because she says “Homestay is a meaningful experience that empowers students to succeed, and it helps you learn a new culture and meet a new friend for life.”

The College has partnered with Canadian Accommodation Services to establish a Homestay program in Pembroke that encourages families to open up their homes to international students. For Austin, it was an easy decision to participate in the program. Her family has hosted high school students from across Canada including the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and from as far away as New Zealand, normally for six months to full year stays. In all, the Austin family has provided a home for 15 students over the years.

“The most rewarding part of being a host family is the bonds that are formed. Each student creates a different bond with our family. It could be something special like inside family jokes or cherished memories of time spent together,” says Austin.

International studentsIn recent years, the Pembroke Campus has been gradually attracting more international students. These students have come to the campus from several countries including India, China, the United States, Morocco, Ukraine, and Africa. The students study in many programs and have come to Canada because of our country’s excellent reputation for providing high-quality post-secondary training and also its openness to welcoming people from around the world.

“Diversity enriches everyday life. These students have traveled around the world on an adventure, and we get to be part of it,” says Austin who is now collaborating with the College to find other families who are interested in taking part in the Homestay program. As a supporter of the work the College is doing to promote cultural diversity, International Student Orientation, Algonquin College, PembrokeAustin speaks passionately about why she has stepped up to help the Pembroke Campus and has offered some simple advice to other families who are considering hosting an international student.

“Host with open arms and an open heart. Show your student a new perspective, a new culture and be ready to learn something new yourself,” says Austin who is excited to recruit more families. More information on the Homestay program is available on the campus website, including the application form.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

 

Welcoming the World at the Waterfront Campus

Never in the more than 50-year history of Algonquin College has the Pembroke Campus had such an international flavour in its midst. In the fall of 2018, the campus has welcomed close to 30 international students from countries around the world. Almost three percent of the campus population of approximately 1,000 students now have international student status.

These students have arrived in Pembroke from India, China, Africa, Vietnam, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Morocco, Chile, the United States, and many other countries. One can imagine how difficult this transition can be for international students as they adjust to a new country, a small town Canadian city and a post-secondary academic setting in a foreign country. To help these students settle in, the College is providing opportunities for the students to get to know people and to experience all that Canada has to offer.Students on Ottawa River

Recently, the campus organized a social event for the students that included a pontoon boat ride on the Ottawa River. Some of the students had never been on a boat before but it didn’t take them long to appreciate the picturesque beauty of the area as they took pictures of the river, the islands and the pristine forests along the shoreline of the river. More importantly, they enjoyed each others company and bonded quickly.

Orientation is important for all new college students but essential for international students. Things that domestic students take for granted such as accessing health care or buying a proper pair of boots for winter weather are important pieces of information that need to be shared with international students. The boat ride provided an opportunity to help connect them not only with other students but also key faculty and staff who can provide support to them, whether it’s on campus or in the broader community.

Moving forward, the College will continue to teach the students about Canadian customs and culture, but the students will reciprocate International Student Orientation, Algonquin College, Pembrokethis learning experience by sharing their own culture with the college community. It’s already happening through the newly created African Students’ Alliance, a group of African students who have introduced Canadian students to African foods, music, and celebrations.

It’s been fun to watch the Waterfront Campus become a melting pot of diversity. As more international students choose to study at the campus it will enrich the learning experience of everyone who studies and works there. It’s a great example of how lifelong learning can occur both inside and outside the classroom and how education has no borders.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs