Indigenous International students are an important part of SLC’s student body. Hosting an international student provides organizations within our campus communities and beyond with a valuable business opportunity and typically is not a time-consuming or onerous process.
SLC’s international students bring a wide range of benefits to any placement agency, including:
- Educated and trained at St. Lawrence College
- Fluency in multiple languages
- Intercultural knowledge and experience
- International networks and potential links to new, global markets
- Meeting labour needs with a strong work ethic and determination
- Ability to adapt to new environments and cultures
- A fresh perspective
These are only a few examples of the value that these students often bring to the workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
International students must be fluent enough in English to understand instructors and the technical language used in their subject area. All international applicants must provide proof of English proficiency (i.e. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score sheet) as an admissions requirement before being admitted to SLC.
SLC’s language requirements are consistent with those of other Canadian colleges. For more information on language requirements, please see SLC’s website.
Yes, the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU), provides workplace insurance coverage for students who are enrolled in an approved program at St. Lawrence College and are participating in an unpaid placement.
More specifically, if a post-secondary student completes an unpaid work placement as part of their publicly supported post-secondary education program and the placement agency is an Ontario employer subject to the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA), the Ministry will repay the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for the cost of any benefits paid by the Board under the WSIA to the student.
Hosting an international student should not be much different than it would be with a Canadian student. While many international students are new to the Canadian workplace, similar to our Canadian students, others arrive with years of professional experience, qualifications and education in their home countries. All students are supported at SLC prior to beginning their placements and during their studies to prepare them for the Canadian workplace, typical expectations, professionalism, etc.
As with any new employee, it is important to clearly define expectations, work hours, dress code, etc. at the beginning of their role with you and reinforced where needed.
If you have questions or experiencing any challenges in this process, please do not hesitate to contact your Student Placement Facilitator for further support, resources or contacts. SLC is here to help!