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September 14, 2011September 14, 2011
International Students Welcome ProgramsInternational Students Welcome Programs
Why Education Sector?
• Concentration of Post-Secondary Education– 4 Universities, 4 Colleges
• Students – 212,000• Employment – 208,000 (all education)
• Direct Investment – over $7 billion
• Skilled Workforce – 55,000 graduates/year• Generator of Research, Innovation &
Businesses
Sector Priorities
• Priorities identified though consultation:– Promote Toronto– Student learning and experience
• Particularly International Students
– Creativity and innovation– Labour force development– Educational attainment– Institutional and sector growth
International Students
• Over 25,000 in GTA growing to 38,100 by 2015
• Direct investment: $846M (2010) to $1.5B by (2015)
• Job creation: 9,023 (2010) to 13,807 (2015)
• Additional tourists: 12,695 (2010) to 19,044 (2015)
• Talent gain and skilled workforce• Future ambassadors and business partners
International Students Programs
• International Student Orientation Welcome– 9 events in 2010– 11 events in 2011
• International Student Airport Welcome– Aug 22 to Sept 5, 2011
• International Student Reception– Oct 14, 2011 at City Hall
Airport Student Welcome
Airport Students Welcome
Welcome Booths
• Terminal 1 & 3• Aug 22 to Sept 5• Two shifts
• 6 am to 2 pm• 3 pm – 11 pm
• Staffed by existingInternational Students
Airport Students Welcome
Booth Services• Welcome Kits• Language support (311)• Assistance with:
– Housing– Transit– Connectivity
• Call home (Rogers)• Family visit competition (Rogers)
Success of Airport Welcome
• Inauguration – Aug 22• Media coverage
– OMNI TV Interview and Coverage– Toronto Star article– CBC Radio Here and Now– Council of Ontario Universities– Universities, Colleges and Student Union sites– GTAA website
• 1,146 students from 65 countries assisted• Partnership developed with MTCU, Colleges,
Universities & Student Associations
Positive Feedback
• Highly appreciated by incoming students“It is best service for international students”
“Thanks a lot!!! I would be lost without her help”“Very helpful it helped me feel more comfortable”
“It’s nice being in Canada, the treatment is beautiful”
• Appreciated by academic institutions & Student Unions; desire to continue
“The Airport Welcome …not one student was stranded and had to sleep in the GSU’s basement this year.” - Graduate Student Union, UofT
• Media acclaim for City’s initiative“Foreign students get a lifeline” - Toronto Star
• Institutions outside GTA want to participate next year
The Institutions and Students Experience
Dr Michael VourakesDean, School of BusinessCentennial College
Nontokozo Langwenya Student & Airport Welcome Booth Co-ordinatorYork University
Our Experience as International Students
How did we feel as new international students:
•Disorientation: where am I and how do I get there.
•Realization that “I don’t have enough money”
•Short term accommodation - I don’t have a credit card
•Fear of unknown
•Are you ready to learn?
Our Experience at the Booth
Comments we received:• “Thank you in helping me find accommodation.”• “I would have spent millions trying to get there”• “This is so different from home, thank you for being
here to help”• “The city is really doing great work, international
students need all the support”• “We don’t have this in Brazil- cool stuff”
How we felt:• “Wow I feel like I did something good today- hard work
pays”
Why this was important
• True manifestation of City - Yes, we have been expecting to you.
• Reflects well on the educational institution in Toronto, students will tell potential students.
• Positive first impression, students my decide to stay permanently
• Empowers international students to believe they can survive in Canada, at large.
• Supports tourism