Ontario's NDP deputy leaders were talking challenges, bridging gaps and learning about the journey of local international students at Northern College this week.
Sara Singh, the Brampton Centre MPP, Temiskaming - Cochrane MPP John Vanthof and Timmins MPP GIlles Bisson toured the South Porcupine campus and met with students Wednesday
In 2018, there were about 500 international students throughout the year at Northern College. For the spring semester, there are about 90 more.
“The program is growing at a tremendous speed. For any institution where your numbers are quadrupling in a year or semester there are challenges in terms of making sure that the students needs are being met, and so today was just about hearing some of those challenges, but some of the success stories that they’ve had here and how programs that maybe weren’t thriving now that they’ve opened them up to international students, they’ve been revitalized and there’s this new upswing and uptake in those fields,” said Singh after meeting with students.
“There’s so much opportunity that can happen both here for the students while they’re studying, but also opportunities for us to share with the world what we have to offer.”
One of the goals of the stop was to help bridge gaps for the students.
She said they let the students know Bisson is willing to advocate, and also that the institution has resources such as employment and counselling services available.
“It’s just helping hear those issues and make sure we’re trying to address them at a provincial level, but also at a very local grassroots level as well,” she said.
Of the concerns Singh heard, she said they aren’t unique to Timmins.
“For a lot of students the big concern is about finding a job after they graduate. International students, they’re coming here, they’re getting an education, but they’re hoping to also be able to contribute to the local economy. So many of them are looking for, not just part time employment at a local fast food restaurant, they’re looking for somewhere where they can apply those skills that they’ve been trained with and to contribute,” she said.
“The other big challenges are trying to find affordable housing options and just trying to fit in, and those are normal challenges for any student anywhere in the province.”
Having arrived in Timmins a couple weeks ago, Hedvi Naik is one of the new international students at the college.
Wanting a higher education, she said she came to Canada for better opportunities.
So far, she said the journey has been an easy one.
Being the only girl from her agency coming to Timmins, she said the main issue was accommodation.
Not knowing anyone, she turned to a Northern College Facebook page for help.
“I messaged five people and all of them replied, and they were like ‘don’t worry, we’ll be taking care of you and we’ll find an accommodation for you’,” she said.
