Overview
International student programs promote diversity and cross-cultural interactions by bringing international students into Alberta schools. These programs focus on attracting motivated and successful students from around the world to study in Alberta.
International students come to Alberta for a variety of reasons. Some students seek cultural and language immersion, while others hope to graduate with an Alberta High School Diploma and continue to a post-secondary institution in the province. It is important to keep these motivations in mind when planning and managing an international student program, as they will influence everything from recruitment strategies to program development.
As the goals of international students differ, so do the programs themselves. Most programs in Alberta welcome international students during the regular school year. Some school authorities also offer short-term summer programs for groups of international students who would like to improve their English or French and gain exposure to Canadian culture. School authorities with many international students interested in Alberta post-secondary institutions may also offer Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or similar programs or courses for these students.
Benefits of international student programs
International student programs have numerous benefits for the school authority, the local students and the international students. The following are a few benefits:
- International student programs can bring diversity to Alberta classrooms and expose Alberta students to new cultures and ways of thinking.
- Increased enrolments may allow school authorities to expand programming. For example, if a school does not have enough students enrolled in a particular course to allow for offering it, international students, who are interested in taking that course, may increase enrollment to a viable level. This benefits Alberta students because they can enroll in classes that otherwise may not have been offered.
- While abroad, the coordinator of the international student program may form relationships with administrators or teachers who are interested in developing learning partnerships or exchanges with schools in Alberta. Also, since many recruitment fairs span all levels of education, international student coordinators for K–12 programs often can travel, network and align their efforts with coordinators from Alberta’s post-secondary institutions.
- Fees paid by international students may provide school authorities with funding to enhance other international education activities, such as:
- hiring an international program coordinator
- spearheading international education initiatives
- improving English language learning programs
- enhancing international student support programs or services