Lethbridge College students step off the bus to get to their 8 a.m. classes. 1,141 international students from 49 countries are now enrolled in the college. Photo by Mark Soliman.
Canada reached a total number of 1,040,985 of the total international students holding active study permits in the academic year 2023-2024. Increases to 29 per cent compared to 2022.
In Alberta, the province has 63,425 students studying in designated learning institutions. Foreign students see a pathway from being international students to permanent residents in Canada.
With the significant number of international students who plan to stay in Canada after graduation, greater competition for job placements is expected. Now graduates need to actively seek employment and demonstrate their skills to secure suitable positions and have a better chance of getting a residency.
Lee Ann Vasquez is a graduating business administration major in business operations student at Lethbridge College. She is all set to take her post graduate work permit program to gain hands-on experience in the Canadian workplace once she finishes her diploma program.
“I am so privileged to have the post-graduate work permit so I can find a job that is related to my program which is business administration and be able to apply for permanent residency and continue staying here in Canada,” said Vasquez.
Lethbridge College International Services, Student Affairs has set up a workshop for all graduating international students in the college last March 26, 2024. Chiye Kinjo, an immigration advisor at Lethbridge College international services, student affairs hosted the event. She has invited Economic Development Lethbridge to discuss the possibilities of Rural Renewal streams of one of the provincial government nomination programs in Alberta for permanent residency.
“It is a really good opportunity for international students that are interested in staying in Canada after they graduate and hope getting their permit is a good opportunity for them to learn at least one way to get it,” Kinjo said.
The College International Services, Student Affairs has also scheduled a post-graduate work permit workshop for the graduating students on May 3. This workshop will educate the graduating students more about what they will face after leaving school.
“So we can explain everything and we will take them through the application and tell them what documents are needed,” Kinjo added.
For Vasquez, she pictures her two-year business program as a roller coaster ride, juggling studies, a part-time job and being a wife. Now, Vasquez’s husband is working in a manufacturing company in the city, which is one of the five eligible industries listed by the city’s economic development that may give a chance of permanent residency to stay in the country.
With the proper education and work experiences she has gained from college and several workplaces around the city, she has now had a better grasp on the opportunity to stay and pursue her dreams here in Canada.
“My whole two years in the business program were a life-changing experience. Now, I am more confident facing the workplace workforce in the future. Having faith in my capabilities is one thing that I am holding on to,” Vasquez said.
