This term marked a milestone for Niagara College as it welcomed its first English for Academic Preparation (EAP) transfer student from its Suwon campus in South Korea.
“We are thrilled to see the successful transition of our first EAP student from NC Suwon to NC Canada and look forward to the lifelong learning pathways and student mobility our offshore operations provide,” said Guhan Ilgazli, associate dean, School of English Language Studies.
NC Suwon is one of Niagara College’s global campuses that enhances student mobility and preparedness through English language skill acquisition and access to information about NC’s academic programs. Delivered at the University of Suwon’s state of the art facilities in Suwon, South Korea, the programs are developed, delivered, and administered by NC’s School of English Language Studies. Open to both international students and South Korean students, graduates from the program have options of applying their newly acquired skills in their home countries or pursue academic studies in Canada.
Originally from Korea, Jooyong Cha is the first student to transfer to NC Canada after completing level four of NC’s EAP program. “I am proud to be the first NC Suwon student to study in Canada,” said Cha. He explained that the program prepared him to make the successful transition to NC’s Canadian campus.
NC Suwon is one of NC’s global campuses. The campus enhances student mobility and preparedness through English language skill acquisition and access to information about NC’s academic programs. Pictured are some of the students studying in this program delivered at the University of Suwon.
Currently studying in level five of the EAP program, Cha has hopes of joining NC’s Hairstyling program in the winter of 2020. Cha feels Canada’s post-secondary education system is welcoming for mature students who are pursuing a second-career, and he views life in Canada as a new beginning.
Cha shared how he chose to study at NC Suwon to transition to NC in Canada, and how it exposed him to the Canadian education system before arriving help with a smooth transition. By learning about Canadian culture in class, he gained more confidence which allowed him to feel more comfortable with starting a new life in Canada. Cha recommends this pathway opportunity to anyone wanting to study at NC.
Cha and his family moved to Canada in July to ensure he was prepared for his academic studies and life in Canada. He expressed his hopes of being able to speak and understand English more fluently now that he is in Canada. His decision was also inspired by wanting to provide a better life for his family, and after much research about lifestyles and cultures around the world, he felt that Canada would provide just that.
Cha was not the only one in his household preparing for their first day of school in a new country; his nine-year-old daughter also made the transition this September. He shared that she is enjoying the experience, excelling in math, and has made new friends within the first week, despite knowing limited English. “She is happy to be studying here,” said Cha.
“All of our students have been working hard since the opening of our new campus last year, and we are proud of the success of our recent EAP program graduates,” said the lead for NC’s program, Josh Avolio. Growing up in Welland, Avolio developed NC DNA at an early age as he was raised by Student Services veteran Nancy Avolio, who has worked in many capacities at the College for the past 28 years. “Having grown up around the corner from Niagara College with family and friends throughout the campuses and community, our new NC Suwon campus in South Korea feels like home,” said Avolio.
This winter term, Niagara College Canada expects to welcome more students through the NC Suwon pathway, furthering our reputation as Canada’s global college.
