Studying abroad is probably one of the most rewarding experiences a college student can take advantage of. You get to see the world, explore, and learn new cultures. Not to mention how AMAZING it looks on your resume. Employers and grad schools really appreciate that experience when they are recruiting for new employees and students. Especially if you are looking to get into global marketing post graduation, you are an extreme asset because you have that experience and knowledge from another country where you may one day choose to do business.
Over the last few years, Canada has been climbing to the top of the list of destinations where foreign students are looking to advance their education. Many people are looking at Canada because of their immigration policies. Unlike the US and Britain, they offer a post-graduation work permit of up to three years for eligible candidates.
New data states that Canada has moved into the top 5 of international study destinations. Typically the US and Britain are the top choices; however, Canada moved into second place last year as a top choice for prospective African MBA students. They also have been creeping up in popularity with students from Central and South Asia, and surprisingly, is a preferred location for students coming from the Middle East and the US as well! It is said that a lot of these changes could be due to the US and Britain’s anti-immigrant policies and the post-graduate restrictions given to foreign students.
The amazing thing about Canada is that it has also been deemed a safe and secure location for those incoming students. Having been given the option to receive a three year work permit allows enough time for students to apply for permanent residency in Canada. At the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business, two-thirds of the MBA international student population participates in a three-week orientation that allows them to learn about the Canadian culture. Though Canadian schools are looking to capitalize off of the new foreign student interest, they are still encouraged to attend MBA fairs worldwide. The University of Toronto’s School of Management had a 35%increase in African applicants, and they do intend to send recruiters to Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa in the fall.
Image: Canadian Bureau of International Education (2017)
References
Benefits to Studying Abroad | Study Abroad Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.internationalstudent.com/study-abroad/guide/ten-benefits-to-studying-abroad/
International business students flocking to Canada - The Globe and Mail. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/business-education/canada-an-increasingly-desired-destination-for-international-business-students/article35255564/
Almetia Whitaker is an MBA student in the Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Nova Southeastern University. She can be reached at awhitaker@mynsu.nova.edu
#1 by Custom Software Development Company in BD on 8/30/17 - 6:33 AM
#2 by Gabrielle Robinson on 9/25/17 - 11:42 AM
#3 by Flavia Rossi on 9/25/17 - 11:57 AM
#4 by Natalie Mero on 9/25/17 - 9:43 PM
#5 by Jessica Crlenjak on 9/26/17 - 6:12 AM
#6 by Jake Darbhanga on 9/26/17 - 9:34 AM
#7 by ciera campbell on 9/26/17 - 11:43 AM
Canada is also a great place for immigrants, they welcome people from other counties with open arm. Whereas the U.S. for example is slowly implementing laws and regulations to keep immigrants out. Not only does Canada offer top tier education but immigrants can study abroad there and actually have a choice a stay or to leave. Canada has a more welcoming/ non-discriminatory society that appeals to everyone, if I could I would still try to abroad in Canada as well.
#8 by Anita Pearson on 9/26/17 - 12:51 PM
Canada is a very safe country, which makes it a good place for foreign students to continue their studies. As stated in the article, it is also a country that does not place many restrictions on entry and provides foreigners strong options with regards to work permits. It is not surprising that this country is experiencing increased entry of foreign students; the rate will probably continue to increase as the U.S. maintains the strict travel bans.
I think having knowledge of international practices can make someone a more qualified or attractive candidate to organizations. This is not information that can be truly understood or learned through reading a textbook; culture can not be learned, but must be experienced. A student who studies abroad for a year will gain a deep understanding of the marketing culture (for example); this knowledge can be brought back to their home country and used in future experiences by the student. I strongly agree that studying abroad, especially post graduate career, can open many doors for a person in the business world because the skills that can be attained through this process are considered assets by business leaders.
#9 by Kiril Mandalov on 9/26/17 - 2:07 PM
#10 by Bradley Scott on 9/26/17 - 3:06 PM
#11 by Chrisnel Merasse on 9/26/17 - 6:40 PM
Also, this is an interesting infographic that I personally am not too shocked by. Canada is increasingly becoming known for a country that has a more welcoming immigration policy compared to the most powerful countries in the world. It's also telling that many students who study in Canada apply for permanent residency. The influx of foreign students studying in Canada will definitely have a positive impact in Canada and its' future.
#12 by Dalini Dhaniram on 9/26/17 - 9:00 PM
#13 by Jodi-Ann Burchell on 9/27/17 - 8:31 AM
I never knew that Canada was a popular destination for international students but I think it’s quite astonishing that they are moving up in the rankings against the United States and Britain. Canada has the competitive advantage of offering students a post-graduation work permit of up to three years if they are eligible, which also gives them the opportunity to become a permanent resident. I think this is something the United States and Britain could possibly look into and cater it to their specific country.
Overall I believe all business students should be afforded the opportunity to study abroad. Even the workplace is pushing the ideas of diversity and culture so that they are more aware of the world around them as well as the employees working for them.
#14 by Kristina Salasevicius on 9/27/17 - 11:28 AM
#15 by Tracy Villanueva on 9/27/17 - 11:37 AM
It is promising to see that our brother to the north is now gaining more attention from business students. This will allow for them to grow professionally and personally. It also opens the doors for opportunities for students in their home country. They establish connections and relationships that may help them in the future.
I did a study abroad while a senior in my undergraduate program. I was a psychology major looking to fill an elective in my last year and I took Ecotourism and went to Banos, Ecuador. There we studied the environment and how Banos can expand tourism. We worked with animals and learned about the natural environment.
This was one of the best decisions I made. This gave me experience to see the world and opened my eyes to new adventures. I hope to do this again soon in my graduate program as well. I definitely encourage others to do so as well. It will be something they will remember forever.
#16 by Breonni Sawyer on 9/27/17 - 9:47 PM
Unlike many programs that travel to various European countries, I chose to go to ????????????China to study international business. Although very unconventional, I always wanted to go to an Asian country. Additionally, I was interested in learning about a culture that had no similarities to the US culture. Unlike Canada, which has been proven a safe place for students to travel, China was relatively unsafe. Also, gaining clearance to China was difficult because of the differing government structure. However, many students that studied with me were approached about staying in China for a year to teach the English language in Chinese primary schools. Some of those people followed up on those offers and others did not feel safe staying.
#17 by Nicole Franco on 9/27/17 - 10:15 PM
#18 by Nicole Franco on 9/27/17 - 10:16 PM
#19 by Fernando E. Villar-Fornes on 9/27/17 - 10:24 PM
Business managers should always study more cultures. Now, as a manager I work with diverse types of employees. A diversity where we need to understand. Which will help us to create some special and strong bonds with the employees. Having the opportunity of Study abroad will help you to understand in an uncomplicated way this diversity and use it as an advantage. Since, business is meant to create relationships, understanding various cultures will work as a key to create and maintain these associations.
#20 by Sumit Patel on 9/28/17 - 9:41 AM
#21 by Sumit Patel on 9/28/17 - 9:42 AM
#22 by Kenisha Brown on 9/28/17 - 9:08 PM
#23 by Maira Rolle on 9/28/17 - 10:51 PM
#24 by Nafisa Nazir on 9/29/17 - 8:14 PM
#25 by Nafisa Nazir on 9/29/17 - 8:28 PM
#26 by Lester Moses on 9/29/17 - 9:58 PM
Since the early 2000s when we learned the world was flattening because of the internet and international trade, having exposure to the world, speaking a foreign language are all things that employers value as we do business globally. Students who have these advantages or the ability to gain these advantages from studying abroad will hold advantages to other students. This is all about how that student can bridge the gap and bring more business.
#27 by Khush on 9/29/17 - 10:16 PM
#28 by Gina Borges on 10/1/17 - 11:20 AM
#29 by Eliette Barrios on 10/1/17 - 1:20 PM
#30 by Estefanny Ayala on 10/1/17 - 6:26 PM
As an international business major my professors and advisors always stressed about how important it was for me and other students to study abroad. The difficult part was coming up with the money to attend a school overseas since it is not covered by financial aid. Although I didn’t go, I had friends who went and they enjoyed it a lot.
#31 by Noushka Belizaire on 10/1/17 - 8:00 PM
#32 by Maria Bonilla on 10/1/17 - 8:09 PM
#33 by Alejandro Warwar on 10/1/17 - 9:29 PM
Alejandro Warwar
#34 by Krista Locklin on 10/1/17 - 11:41 PM
#35 by Courtney Desmond-Smith on 10/2/17 - 11:55 PM
I personally had the opportunity to travel to West Africa for a culture exchange program during my high school years. My three-month stays gave me a hands-on experience that could not be taught in any classroom. The cultural insight that I received has carried on to my career. I believe my interpersonal skills have been expanded because I had this chance to visit.
In conclusion business professional should take the time to invest in learning new cultures, because it can only help you have a better understanding of the people and cultures.
#36 by konya web tasar?m on 10/3/17 - 9:03 AM
#37 by Lukas Landgren on 10/30/17 - 11:25 AM
#38 by Alex Rives on 11/2/17 - 11:38 AM
#39 by Jessica D’Elia on 1/13/18 - 3:49 PM