From May 10 to 13, more than 40 global educational partners representing over 15 countries were welcomed at Niagara College as part of the College’s annual Familiarization (FAM) Tour.
“As Canada’s leading global college, NC is committed to diversity, and having our educational partners from around the world join us, leverages the access of global learners to education and learning opportunities,” said NC’s Director of Global Business Development, Scott Slaney.
Co-hosted by Niagara College Canada and Niagara College-Toronto (NCT), this year’s FAM Tour included visits to NCT’s Mirvish campus, and NC’s Niagara Region campuses, in addition to presentations by NC faculty and staff. What educational agents learned at the College will help them support, inform, and engage prospective international students weighing their study options abroad.
“I always tell international students that one of their biggest decisions is choosing a college,” said NC’s Senior Director of International Students, Gary Torraville. “After experiencing in person what NC has to offer, the agents have the confidence to tell their students they are making the right decision to come to NC. The FAM Tour allows our educational partners to know how the student service we provide ensures our students have what they need to be successful in school and prepares them for life after school.”
Attending NC’s FAM Tour for the second time, Vincent Puig, Manager at Filcan Canada Education and Immigration Consultancy, which has four offices in the Philippines, was impressed to see NC’s growth and development.
“Niagara College is our preferred school to recommend to students,” said Puig. “It offers a wide array of programs, top-of-the-art facilities and equipment, competitive tuition fees, high employability, accessibility to public transportation, and a well-trained and knowledgeable teaching staff.”
Puig was particularly excited about visiting the Motive Power Technician – Automotive program’s state-of-the-art labs at NC’s Welland Campus. “It is a very interesting option because the Philippines do not have a program like this and also because Motive Power Technician career is in demand in Canada, which can represent a pathway for immigration,” said Puig. “It is amazing how NC is not just the programs and the structure, but it also prepares international students to be world ready.”
To highlight the region and provide participants with a better perspective on what life in Niagara looks like, the 2023 FAM Tour also included a tour of Welland Centennial Secondary School, a presentation by the Tourism Partnership of Niagara, and a visit to the Niagara Region’s newest tourist attraction, the Tunnel at Niagara Parks Power Station.
For Carmen Zelaya, Director of Overseas Frontiers (a Canada-based agency that supports students from Latin-American), The FAM Tour was the first time she visited NC and the Niagara Region. Through the tour, she experienced a glimpse of what NC student life looks like, which helped her gain a better understanding of the benefits of studying at NC.
“Prospective students will entrust me more, knowing that I was here having a real student experience,” said Zelaya. “From now on, when I recommend NC to students, my personal experience during the FAM Tour will give me much more credibility when recommending Niagara College.”
The highlight of the FAM Tour for Zelaya was seeing the applied learning environment first-hand.
“I have visited other college teaching wineries, but none of them were like NC’s, which is nestled in such stunning scenery and encourages students to work on such a wide range of products.”
The FAM Tour helped establish a direct connection to NC and the Niagara Region, which is crucial for prospective international students who live across the world and cannot personally visit the area.
Saidakhmad Makhmunov, CEO at Everstudy Consulting from Uzbekistan creates social media content that helps advise prospective students. During the FAM Tour, he gathered compelling content that captures the essence of the NC community, which he looks forward to bringing to life and sharing with students.
“I had the chance to produce many fabulous videos during the FAM Tour, which I will edit and post on my social media channels to authentically showcase the NC community,” said Makhmunov. “I will broadcast this real-life experience and showcase how NC students and professors interact in labs and classrooms, and how they are passionate about what they are learning and teaching.”
The 2023 FAM Tour also featured presentations from NC’s Global Customized Training & Consulting Manager, Joanne Maltby; Associate Dean of the School of English Language Studies, Charles Voth; International Student Advisor Anna McQuiston; and Campus Recreation Coordinator, Tom Fisher.
