Canadian Universities Extend Outreach to Educational Consultants
I had a wonderful opportunity yesterday to meet with two officials of the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC to explore Canadian options for teens in the U.S. and abroad. What I discovered are two professionals committed to adolescent opportunities and enthusiastic about outreach to IECA member educational consultants.
I learned much in my conversations with Dr. Daniel Abele (daniel.abele@international.gc.ca), the head of research and academic relations at the embassy, and Alexander Leipziger who works in public affairs in the same department. Alex was a Virginia high school student who went to college in Canada, so when he speaks it is both with the authority of his work at the embassy and the passion of his own experiences. Both noted that ten or fifteen years ago a small number of Americans went to study in Canada and most sought specific programs in large universities. Today, many more from the States—as many as 9,000—study in Canada’s universities, both large and small from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.
As expected, many seek to study there because of the strength of the U.S. dollar resulting in a less expensive alternative to private colleges or out-of-state tuition in the United States. Others choose Canada for the environmental and cultural opportunities, among others. Alex explains that the greatest concern he hears from parents is about whether a degree awarded in Canada will be accepted by U.S.-based companies and graduate schools. He assures families that degrees granted in Canada are considered equal to degrees awarded stateside.
There is additional evidence of the commitment Canadian Universities have made to working with consultants. Fully half of the participants in this summer’s counselor tour of colleges in Nova Scotia, sponsored by EduNova are IECA members, and next fall IECA will be coordinating tours of Ontario colleges, with additional tours in other provinces quite likely. In May, IECA’s annual spring conference will be held in Toronto and colleges throughout the area, along with schools and programs, will be joining in the planning. I am thrilled to state that college representatives from both coasts—Nova Scotia and British Columbia—have already agreed to attend a planning meeting to help make the gathering a nationwide event. We hope to reach out to schools and colleges in the Quebec province as well. All of this comes at a time when parents are looking at affordability as well as “match issues” for their child’s education. We are fortunate that Canadian colleges are reaching out and helping to educate educational consultants at a time when the breadth and quality of schools throughout the country are worth a second look by all high schoolers in the U.S.
Posted by Mark Sklarow, IECA Executive Director
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Thank you, Mark, for posting this. I visited Bishop’s University (in Sherbrooke, PQ) last week and it is just one of many fine options in Canada. The programs offered by our neighbors to the north are ‘hidden gems’ and often times, many just think of McGill, but in reality, there are so many other fine institutions that are worthy of review. I have sent students to Queens University, Concordia University and Acadia University and all have been VERY happy with their choices. Not to mention their parents who find the price truly reasonable! Well worth the look!
Again, thank you, Mark!
We would like to remind everyone planning to attend IECA’s Toronto conference, May 12 – 15, 2010, that all U.S. citizens now need a passport to travel to Canada. You can contact the State Department Web site to apply for or renew your passport; the process can take a while so be sure to plan ahead! We’ll have applications, renewal forms, and a photographer taking head shots at our Charlotte conference in November.