International students see a silver lining in an isolating year at Conestoga College
CBC
For many international students in Waterloo region, virtual learning and provincial pandemic restrictions have limited their interactions with the local community and Canadian culture. At the same time, two students say they're using this opportunity to focus on learning and career building.
Jennyfer Ahumada moved to Kitchener from Colombia in August 2021 to study strategic marketing communications at Conestoga College. Since then, most of her classes have been online and she's watched as the community has gone through a series of provincially-imposed closures and social restrictions.
"I think the most difficult thing that I am struggling with [is] that I cannot interact well in person. As an international student, for me it's so important to interact with people because I need to learn more about the culture, embrace the culture and know more …. people and improve my English skills," she told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.
Ahumada said she had hoped COVID-19 restrictions would improve by the time she moved to the region in 2021 and that she would get to experience the perks that come with moving to a new city: parties, community gatherings and events.
"I think international students who left their countries and come here at this time, it's not easy at all," said Ahumada. But, she took it in stride, and instead redirected her attention.
"I am focused only at the college and the work," she said.
Tina Maputol moved to the region in September 2021 to study early childhood education at Conestoga College.
The former elementary school teacher from the Philippines was slated to teach in New Zealand before the pandemic hit. That led that country to close its borders, and for Maputol to lose that teaching opportunity.
So, she decided to move to Waterloo region to further her education, on advice from a friend.
"Overall, considering all of the restrictions and the precautions that we need to take, I feel like I am navigating my first year pretty OK," she said. "I wouldn't [have] changed my mind … about investing in myself because I really wanted to be productive this year and last year."
Maputol said she's even taken a liking to virtual learning.
"In the beginning, of course, as someone coming from outside Canada, I really was wanting to be in a Canadian classroom and experience how it is to be in an actual classroom with all of my classmates and see my teachers in person and all of that," she said.
"But I have grown to really enjoy online learning," she said. There's no commute, she can sleep in later and she can learn in the comfort of her home.
She said it was slow making friends at first, but she soon found an online community with classmates.
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