The West Parry Sound Campus of Canadore College is broadening its reach, welcoming more than 30 international students -- its first cohort – this year. They are enrolled in the Practical Nursing and Healthcare Administration programs.
“I have never lived in a small town,” said Rachana Kanani, from Mumbai India. “I have had one year post-secondary education in Canada, at Sheridan College. I heard so many good things about Canadore. I thought why not go to Canadore! I feel like it’s the best decision I made.”
“I chose Canadore because of its reputation internationally,” said Thomson David, originally from Kerala, India. “The staff at Canadore is very friendly. They understand the initial struggles that an international student goes through. They help to make us feel comfortable.”
“The influx of international students is a boon to our community,” said Lee-Ann Turner, Supervisor, Canadore West Parry Sound Campus. “It also allows us to support some of the required nursing and health care shortages in this area. As the international community grows in the district, so does the international student interest.”
“Canadore is proud of the local relationships that we have developed and is committed to delivering on our mandate of training much-needed workers,” said Shawn Chorney, Vice President Strategic Infrastructure, Indigenous and Learner Services. “We have persistently come short of filling the demand for trained healthcare workers in the region and, through the introduction of international students at the West Parry Sound Campus, we will get one step closer to filling the gap.”
“Canadore College works with the communities we serve to meet existing and evolving needs,” said George Burton, President and CEO. “There is a critical shortage of healthcare professionals in Parry Sound, in fact across Ontario. Our international students will help fill the void during their time with us through placements, to become job-ready when they graduate.”
The West Parry Sound Campus has been working with communities and businesses to build the capacity to welcome the students, to make sure there are places for them to live and part-time work.
“I am growing to really like it here; the quiet, and the people are really so nice to everybody,” said Kanani.
“I would highly recommend new international students to come to Canadore at Parry Sound,” said David. “They get a quality education and a quality life.”
“Parry Sound is a beautiful community in which to live, study and work. Our infrastructure is able to support the growth we are seeing at our campus,” said Turner.
