A Niagara College student ambassador and the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC) President joined NC’s staff and faculty for the first time in pre-departure sessions in India in July.
Originally from India, Business Administration – Human Resources (Co-op) student Nikhil Gupta and NCSAC President Dipal Patel played a vital role in sharing first-hand insights into what life at Niagara College looks like with future students.
The pre-departure sessions enable students to connect with NC staff and faculty before their arrival in Canada, allowing them to ask questions about life in Canada, gather information about NC and the Niagara region and explore all the supports available through the College. Gupta and Patel provided students with a unique opportunity to hear from individuals who recently had personally experienced life as an NC student and successfully transitioned to life in Canada. Their active involvement leading up to the trip added a personal touch to the sessions, creating a welcoming and informative environment for the students.
“I was able to share my own journey as an international student and gave them advice on how to transition to life in Canada,” said Gupta. “I also highlighted insights about campus life, academic programs, student services, events, and how to get involved in extracurricular activities. They were excited to learn more about all these opportunities.”
NC’s pre-departure sessions were held in four different cities in India from July 25 to 30 – Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Kochi. Virtual sessions were also available for students who were unable to attend the sessions in person. In total, Niagara College’s team connected and interacted with more than 1,200 students.
“Those were great opportunities for students to make the initial bonds and friendships with peers who are also joining NC, many of whom end up as lifelong friends,” said Patel. “Pre-departure sessions also offer NC community members the opportunity to experience our international students’ culture first-hand.”
NC’s Global Business Development Manager for South Asia, Karan Salgotra, led the pre-departure team in India. The sessions’ participants also included Senior Direct of Global Engagement Holly Catalfamo; Director of Global Business Development Scott Slaney; School of Business & Management Studies professor Stefan Johnson; and International Housing and Settlement Advisor Lorainne Gomez Severino.
Global reach
“One of the key areas of focus of Niagara College’s Strategic Plan is global reach, and predeparture sessions helps us take Niagara to the world”, said Catalfamo. “We demonstrate our welcoming nature, which is a hallmark of our NC culture. It helps lessen student anxieties about who they might meet when they get to Canada and hear first-hand from educators and team members who will be there to support their postsecondary journey.”
In addition to the pre-departure sessions, all international students have access to NC’s Discovery Pass – an online toolkit that offers a wide range of information, including how to apply for immigration documents, how to open a bank account in Canada and how to travel around the Niagara region.
“After the sessions, students knew they were not alone and expressed heightened confidence about studying in a foreign country, adapting to a new culture, and acquiring essential knowledge before leaving their homes,” said Gomez Severino. “These events are a cornerstone of NC’s efforts to build a culturally diverse, globally engaged, and inclusive campus community while preparing our students to excel in an increasingly globalized world.”
