ITP - 105: What International Students Need to Know Before Moving to Canada

Greg:
Welcome to the International Teacher Podcast with your host Matt the Family Guy, Kent the Cat Guy, Jacqueline from JP Mint, and Greg the Single Guy, bringing you episodes from around the world about the best-kept secret in education.

Kent:
You got it. International teaching.

Greg:
Welcome to the show.

JP:
Welcome to another episode of the International Teacher Podcast. I'm happy to be joined with Kent the Cat Guy. Hello, Kent.

Kent:
Hi JP Mint, glad to be here.

JP:
Greg is away this time, but we have a special guest coming all the way from Calgary, Alberta. Her name is Arlena Alcock, and we'll hear what she has to share with our listeners today.

Arlena:
Good morning, and thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate the opportunity.

JP:
I think Calgary and Mexico, where I am, are on the same time zone. Is it 8:00 there?

Arlena:
It is 8:00 AM.

JP:
There we go, 8:00 AM on a Sunday morning. That is dedication. Thanks for joining us.

JP:
I was wondering if you could give us an elevator pitch about who you are, how you got into education, and what your current role is.

Arlena:
I was actually an international student myself back in Mexico City for two years. I studied cultural anthropology and taught English in a bank for two years.

Arlena:
Then I came back to Canada and completed an adult education diploma in teaching English as a second language and how adults learn.

Arlena:
After that, I started working at a college with refugees and Canadian newcomers, teaching English.

Arlena:
That expanded into resume writing and helping people change careers.

Arlena:
I started working with career transitions for international professionals, then began teaching career counseling classes, and eventually became a certified career coach.

Arlena:
I also completed a master’s degree in workplace learning for adults in education.

Arlena:
That experience in Mexico City really kick-started the rest of my career.

JP:
When you say Mexico City, this wasn’t high school, right? This was post-secondary?

Arlena:
Yes, I was finishing my bachelor’s degree. I had four courses left, and my professor said if I could figure it out, I could do independent studies somewhere.

Arlena:
I had a friend in Mexico City whose family hosted me.

Arlena:
I was supervised remotely by my professor in Canada at the University of Lethbridge while attending an English-speaking university and taking Spanish classes locally.

Arlena:
It wasn’t a formal program. We pieced it together, and that completed my degree.

Arlena:
Then I stayed longer, teaching English and enjoying life.

Kent:
What made you choose Mexico out of all the options?

Arlena:
I had never been there before, but I had a connection through my friend’s family.

Arlena:
There wasn’t a deep decision-making process. It was just an opportunity, so I took it.

JP:
Coming from Lethbridge to Mexico City must have been a huge shift. What were your first impressions?

Arlena:
When I flew in at night, I saw the lights stretching endlessly.

Arlena:
It was incredible but also terrifying. I thought, what have I done?

Arlena:
I was scared to use the metro. I didn’t speak Spanish and had to learn everything from scratch.

Arlena:
I started with beginner Spanish classes and figured it out as I went.

Kent:
That sounds like what many international teachers experience, just jumping in and figuring things out.

Kent:
What were some of the cultural adjustments?

Arlena:
One big difference was the work culture.

Arlena:
People had long days, long lunches, and a slower pace.

Arlena:
I found that challenging at first.

Arlena:
I also got homesick. Sometimes I’d go to McDonald’s just to feel a sense of familiarity.

Arlena:
Not knowing the language made me feel isolated at times.

Arlena:
Interestingly, people often asked me for directions, as if I knew where I was going.

Kent:
That happens everywhere. People assume you know what you’re doing.

JP:
And sometimes they give you wrong directions just to move on.

Kent:
Exactly.

JP:
How did your work evolve from teaching English into career coaching?

Arlena:
In Mexico, it didn’t fully develop yet.

Arlena:
That came later in Canada when I worked with refugees and immigrants from places like the former Yugoslavia and Central Europe.

Arlena:
Many were highly educated but couldn’t work in their professions.

Arlena:
I was asked to help them transition into new careers.

Arlena:
I started reading career development books and researching pathways for recertification.

Arlena:
At that time, there weren’t many structured pathways, so we had to figure things out manually.

Arlena:
That work grew over time as I took more courses and gained experience, eventually leading to where I am today.

JP:
So your specialty is internationally trained professionals transitioning into the Canadian workforce?

Arlena:
Yes, along with international students.

Arlena:
Canada has a large international student population, and I help them navigate job searches and career paths.

Arlena:
Even getting a part-time job can be confusing because many come from systems that use CVs instead of resumes.

Arlena:
They often apply the same way they would for professional roles, which doesn’t work in places like coffee shops.

JP:
Can you explain the difference between a CV and a resume?

Arlena:
A CV is a detailed record of everything you’ve done and can be many pages long.

Arlena:
A resume is typically two pages and tailored to a specific job.

Arlena:
In Canada, resumes are standard except for professions like medicine or academia.

Arlena:
International students need to learn how to adapt their documents depending on the job.

Kent:
How do you turn this into a career? Do clients pay you directly?

Arlena:
My main job is at a college in career services, where I’ve worked for about 15 years.

Arlena:
I also run a part-time coaching business helping international students before and after they arrive in Canada.

Arlena:
I help them prepare documents, understand the system, and transition into school and work.

Kent:
What is the demand like for international students coming to Canada right now?

Arlena:
There’s both an increase and a decrease, depending on how you look at it.

Arlena:
Canada recently exceeded its international student targets, which created issues like housing shortages and increased rent prices.

Arlena:
As a result, the government has reduced the number of new applications to more normal levels.

Arlena:
But overall, Canada still wants international students. The opportunities are still there.

Kent:
So the demand is still strong, just more controlled.

Arlena:
Exactly.

JP:
That’s interesting because international students pay much higher tuition.

Arlena:
Yes, sometimes up to three times more than domestic students.

Arlena:
That revenue supports institutions, so there’s a balance between access and funding.

Kent:
What about students staying in Canada after they graduate?

Arlena:
There’s a postgraduate work visa process.

Arlena:
Students can work for a few years after graduating, then apply for permanent residency.

Arlena:
After that, they may eventually apply for citizenship.

JP:
So it’s a pathway, but not automatic.

Arlena:
Exactly. It takes time and planning.

JP:
What about students studying non-STEM fields like film or literature?

Arlena:
They can absolutely apply.

Arlena:
But those careers are more competitive and often rely on networking and experience.

Arlena:
Success depends on how proactive they are in building connections.

Kent:
Are most students still choosing STEM fields?

Arlena:
Yes, especially science, technology, engineering, and healthcare.

Arlena:
But we also see students in areas like social work, architecture, and the arts.

Arlena:
It often depends on cultural expectations from families.

Kent:
Do students ever struggle with that pressure?

Arlena:
Yes, quite often.

Arlena:
Some pursue degrees to satisfy family expectations, then later shift to what they truly want.

Arlena:
Others try to balance both, like combining business with another interest.

Kent:
That’s a tough situation.

Arlena:
It is, and sometimes it requires counseling support as well.

JP:
What about the transition when students first arrive?

Arlena:
Schools provide much more support now than in the past.

Arlena:
There are international departments, orientations, and services to help students adjust.

Arlena:
But it can still be lonely, especially at the beginning.

Arlena:
It can take around three years to fully adjust to a new country.

JP:
That sounds about right.

Arlena:
Community involvement is key.

Arlena:
Students who join groups and step outside their comfort zone tend to adapt faster.

Kent:
What are some positives of having such a multicultural population in Canada?

Arlena:
There are many.

Arlena:
You see more diverse businesses, ideas, and perspectives.

Arlena:
It brings global thinking into local communities.

Arlena:
It also creates opportunities for innovation and cultural exchange.

JP:
It’s like bringing the world to Canada.

Arlena:
Exactly.

Kent:
Let’s take a quick break.

Greg:
You can find us at itpexpat.com or email [internationalteacherpodcast@gmail.com](mailto:internationalteacherpodcast@gmail.com).

Greg:
We also have a Facebook group and Instagram at ITP Expat.

Greg:
Thanks to our listeners from over 100 countries.

Greg:
Let’s get back to the show.

JP:
Some of our audience are teachers working with international students. What advice would you give them?

Arlena:
Be aware that students may be navigating more than just academics.

Arlena:
They may be dealing with cultural adjustment, language barriers, and uncertainty about their future.

Arlena:
Patience and understanding go a long way.

Kent:
Let’s move to our final questions.

JP:
Arlena, have you ever had a run-in with the law abroad or at home?

Arlena:
I do have a story from Mexico.

Arlena:
I was at the airport leaving the country, and the border officer told me I couldn’t go.

Arlena:
She said I had seeds in my suitcase, which I didn’t.

Arlena:
I was confused and upset because I didn’t understand what was happening.

Arlena:
Eventually, I went to an ATM, took out my last money, and gave it to her.

Arlena:
After that, she let me go.

Kent:
Wow.

JP:
That must have been stressful.

Arlena:
It was. But overall, I had a very positive experience in Mexico.

Kent:
Final question. What would you tell international students before they move to Canada?

Arlena:
Prepare as much as you can before arriving.

Arlena:
Understand the system, get your documents ready, and be open to learning.

Arlena:
Be ready to adapt and build new networks.

JP:
Great advice.

Kent:
Where can people find you?

Arlena:
My website is arlenaalcock.com, and I’m also on LinkedIn.

Arlena:
I offer coaching and support for international students and professionals.

JP:
Final thoughts?

Arlena:
I really appreciate the opportunity to be here.

Arlena:
I’d love to connect with anyone interested in studying or working in Canada.

Kent:
Thanks to JP Mint and Arlena Alcock.

Kent:
We’ll see you next time.

[End of transcript]