Many come out to Canadian Education Fair

More Barbadians are seeking to study in Canada.

So says Agnes Pust, Charge d’Affaires with the Canadian High Commission. Speaking to members of the media on the sidelines of a Canadian Education Fair dubbed ‘CUP Fest Canada Edition 2017’, which opened yesterday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, she said there has been an increase in applications for student visas.

“One reason for this is that as the product becomes better known, and that is the education product, then it is easier to sell it. One student will tell his or her friend from school when he or she comes back for Christmas vacation, or during the summer, or even once the degree has been completed – ‘You know I studied in Canada and I had an excellent three years or four years, and I was able to work during my studies. I lived in security and comfort and it is something I’d recommend to anyone’. And once, not only the students or young people hear that, but the parents, then they are doubly assured that this is going to be a positive experience for either themselves or their children. For that reason the numbers are growing and we are delighted to see that,” she said.

Pust’s comments came as she noted that the two-day event, which saw scores of persons attending yesterday, is putting persons desirous of studying in Canada in direct contact with representatives of 21 higher education institutions from that country. Moreover, she said they also have an opportunity to speak with officials from the Canadian Immigration and Refuge Service where they can get information on how to apply for a student visa. She is therefore urging interested persons to come out today and attend one of the seminars.

“Canada is a dream destination. First we are a Commonwealth cousin, but we are located closer than the UK, another Commonwealth cousin. We are located within the hemisphere, as is the US, but we are much more affordable than the US and so we sell a premium product where students live in relative safety and security, with customs that are similar to those of home, where parents can feel reassured that their children are going to get a first class education at a reasonable price and not have their kids too far from home,” she said.

What is also unique about studying in Canada, the Charge d’Affaires added, is that persons can pursue their studies in English or French or even both, as the country is bilingual. Pust indicated that this is the fourth year that the High Commission has been hosting the event with The Student Centre.

Meanwhile, Kimberley Alleyne-Pinder, Communications Director and Legal Counsel with The Student Centre, said that the Education Fair is intended to satisfy students’ desire for information on post-secondary education options and it is reaping success.

“We wanted students to be able to come and find not only their school, but also direct them on the proper pathway to reaching and attaining their goals. So this is just a drop in the bucket for Canadian schools, but they can come here see schools, colleges and universities, but they can also access the CUP Corner, book an appointment and they can find out further information to achieve their goals for higher education,” she said.

She said while they target primarily persons 18 years and older, those in fourth and fifth form are also encouraged to attend. Alleyne-Pinder added that since they started the event five years ago, the interest in it has grown exponentially. (JRT)