Landing at university fresh out of high school is tough enough.
Combining this with acclimatizing one’s self to a new country and culture adds a whole new dimension to the post-secondary mix.
Abdullah Alamari arrived at Lakehead University two years ago from Saudi Arabia, unsure of what the Canadian experience would bring.
On Wednesday he took part in a special orientation event for first-year international students, aimed at helping foreign students make the adjustment to life in Canada and familiarize themselves with the services the City of Thunder Bay has to offer.
“It’s so different from Saudi Arabia, the atmosphere – everything is different,” said Alamari, a third-year engineering student.
“It might be a big culture shock.”
International students are big business at Lakehead University. And no wonder.
Unlike domestic students, anyone studying on a domestic visa at the Thunder Bay campus can expect to pay about three times as much for the privilege.
A first-year arts program tuition costs $7,049, while international students can expect to pay $20,277.
With more students, bringing in more cash, the school is doing its best to make them feel at home.
Nancy Gallo, the associate director of Lakehead University International, said the student intake from foreign countries is on pace to match last year’s total.
About 200 took part at the orientation lunch.
“I think with declining enrollments overall, at all university and colleges from the domestic part of it, the international part of it becomes more attractive for us,” Gallo said. “And also, just to create diversity in the community. We haven’t had this kind of diversity for many years, so this is really nice to see groups coming in from abroad.”
For now the school continues to target China, India and most countries in southeast Asia. But students are also arriving from Brazil, Mexico, Africa and the United States.
Wednesday’s orientation, part of a campus-wide effort for all incoming first-year students, is that little extra effort the school puts on to make international students feel welcome.
“They need to get to know our culture, our campus a little bit better, the services the city provides they may not be aware of,” Gallo said.
This includes cell-phone providers, banks and the multicultural association – contacts she feels they may need during the course of the school year.
Obstacles for students to overcome extend beyond the classroom.
Those coming from the Middle East or southeast Asia, for example, have to deal with a much cooler climate and the city’s famed harsh winters.
There’s also visa issues that prevent or delay some foreign students from getting into the country on their first attempt.
Abdullah said he’s glad to see an orientation event like Wednesday’s being put on by the school, adding there was nothing nearly this large in 2013, when he first enrolled.
“It’s needed for international students, especially kids from Europe or Saudi Arabia or Africa or wherever,” he said.
“They’re kind of alone here, so by doing this orientation, and showing them around, they’ll feel (welcome) here to start school.”
Gallo said it’s too soon to provide exact enrolment international student numbers. The deadline to enroll is Sept. 25.
