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