New support space giving MHC international students a hand up

Premjot Singh is one of the students expected to use the new space, moving from India last year to earn his degree in business administration.

“My father is a business man, so in the future I want to be a businessman,” said Singh. “My uncle, he suggested to me Medicine Hat College.”

Entering the second-year of his degree, Singh said it’s exciting to have a place he can call his own.

“It’s a really cool idea,” he said. “So many people, they feel difficulty when they got here because it’s totally different compared to India.”

Harpreet Kaur meanwhile is entering her second semester at MHC, looking to get her degree in social work.

She said the Indian and Canadian education systems are very different, which has made for some challenges while working on projects.

“We have never done any presentations or assignments in India, I think that’s kind of new for me,” said Kaur.

Assisting students in the new international resource room will be a handful of MHC staff, including educational assistant Shauntelle Broeckert.

“We want to make the room a warm, inviting, and comfortable space where they can come ask questions and do their homework,” said Broeckert. “We just want to help them in any way we can.”

English as a Second Language for New Canadians administrator Shalla Shaharyar is also involved in the project, helping international students get a grasp of the language.

Shaharyar said most people don’t understand how quickly these visitors to Canada have to grasp all aspects of language, culture, and customs.

“They land here a week or two weeks before their classes begin, you can imagine the pressure that they’re undergoing,” said Shaharyar. “So, this kind of support and having a place where they come and just share their concerns, I think it will be really helpful for their adaptation.”

It’s a personal connection to these students for Shaharyar, as she too was not a born and raised Canadian.

Over a decade ago, Shaharyar emigrated from Pakistan to Canada and had to learn all the ins and outs of what Canadian life looks like.

“To a certain extent, I can relate to their experiences,” said Shaharyar. “I’ve got to say, I am absolutely astonished with the way that they have been able to adapt in the very few months that they have.”

Through that process of adapting, international students are being introduced to new cultures outside of Canada as well.

Business administration student Tanveer Singh, also a native of India, said he’s gotten the opportunity to learn from other students from across the globe since moving to Medicine Hat.

“When I was in my [home] country I didn’t know about too many cultures,” said Singh. “But, when I came here there were a lot of people from Pakistan, India, Philippines, Japan, China.”

Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin

The new support space is also expected to support existing services through the international student program, identify issues students may be having, and lower barriers for the college altogether.

By growing and promoting diversity Shaharyar believes not only the college, but Medicine Hat as a whole, will benefit from the space.

“I’ve been living here for about 12 or so years in Medicine Hat, I think diversity brings nothing but good in the community,” said Shaharyar. “Maybe a lot of these students will settle in Medicine Hat or in other parts of Canada.”

While he still has a ways to go before he earns his business degree, Premjot said studying abroad is a decision that is paying off in spades.

“I like the city, I like the country, and the people and the new culture,” he said. “So, it’s really good for me.”

More information on MHC’s international students program can be found on their website.

by Scott Roblin

New support space giving MHC international students a hand up

Our Community