Study and Stay Program helps guide international students from student to professional
Anas Nanees (鈥19) came to 快猫成版视频 Allison from Zuwara, a small town in Libya. He was drawn to the University鈥檚 reputation, small community, and the uniqueness of the aviation program. Set to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation, Nanees has helped prepare himself for the next step by taking part in the Atlantic Canada Study & Stay鈩 Program through New Brunswick鈥檚 Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training, and Labour (PETL). Fourth-year students Kindy Houinato (Benin, West Africa) and Kana Tagawa (Osaka, Japan) were also accepted into the program.
The Study & Stay Program is an international student attraction and retention program that was piloted in Nova Scotia three years ago through EduNova. Last spring it was rolled out in New Brunswick. The initiative is open to international students entering their final year of study in community colleges and universities in the province. The program currently has 54 participants across New Brunswick.
鈥淢ainly I wanted to join the program to discover paths for staying in New Brunswick after graduation,鈥 says Nanees. 鈥淏ut I have come to appreciate the job connections and the workshops and the mentoring was a big bonus for me.鈥
Through the program, international students receive enhanced support to ensure they gain the education, tools, and community connections they need to graduate and launch a successful career and fulfilling life in the province.
Atlantic Canada Study and Stay鈩 focuses on:
- Cultural and social adaptation
- Professional communication
- Career and labour market support
- Networking and professional connections
- Access to immigration resources and support
- Mentorship
鈥淭his program demonstrates the region鈥檚 commitment to inclusive growth where newcomers are welcomed, celebrated, and supported,鈥 says program manager Kathie Ouellete. 鈥淲e want to help them transition from student to professional.鈥
Houinato will graduate in May with an honours in economics with a major in environmental science and minor in math.
鈥淭he Study
& Stay program offers something that every international student about to graduate needs 鈥 access to detailed information about what the province you want to immigrate to has to offer and how you can go about settling,鈥 says Houinato.
The program began in the fall with a retreat for all of the students, which set the stage for the program, including expectations and training schedules. There was a webinar held every month on areas such as cover letters, networking, and the job search. Communication was maintained throughout the year through the program鈥檚 Facebook page and one-on-one phone calls and campus visits. A mandatory graduation ceremony completes the program.
Ouellete says success depends on what the students put into the program.
鈥淚f they implement everything they have learned their odds are much higher for seeing success,鈥 she says.
Nanees says one of the biggest benefits of the program is knowing you are not alone.
鈥淚 have learned that there are other international students like me that are just as lost and have the same questions I have, which makes the process easier,鈥 he says.
Nanees has no concrete plans for after graduation, other than 鈥渃hanging the world.鈥 Houinato has secured employment in New Brunswick and plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in economics or mathematical finance in the future.
