FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2019
Weekend Retreat Focused on Helping International Students to Study, Stay and Thrive in Nova Scotia
HALIFAX – More than 120 international students from 37 countries studying at post-secondary institutions across the province will come together this weekend in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia for the Study and StayTM programs retreat.
Running from October 4 through 6 at the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, the retreat brings together participants from two programs: Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ – Nova Scotia (final year international students) program, and the Study and Stay™ Nova Scotia program (students in their third year of study).
“The Study and StayTM programs are all about helping international students transition from a university or college classroom to the workforce,” said Rob Batherson, Interim President and CEO of EduNova, which has overseen the creation and expansion of the programs since 2016. “This weekend’s retreat is the first step in what is sure to be a rewarding year of learning and growing for international students looking for a path to stay and thrive in the province after they graduate.”
The retreat represents the official launch of both Study and StayTM programs this year. The event’s goal is to introduce students to their respective program curriculums, tasks, coordinators and peers from across the province. The retreat will also include workshops, guest speakers, and a historical walking tour.
“I really enjoyed my stay during the retreat because of the opportunity to meet other international students that are in the same position as me in terms that we are graduating and are looking to stay in Nova Scotia,” said Ricardo Rodriguez, a student last year at Saint Francis Xavier University who attended the 2018 retreat as a member of the Atlantic Canada Study and Stay ™ – Nova Scotia program. “It was good to meet the team from EduNova and the Study and Stay™ Program. I appreciated the outstanding work that was done during the weekend. A big thank you to everybody!”
Students in the Atlantic Canada Study and StayTM – Nova Scotia program were recently selected after a rigorous selection process. The selection committee included institutional representatives and EduNova staff to ensure selected students are of the highest caliber and are motivated to live and work in the province.
As one component of the program, students will learn about the importance of mentorship to help them reach their career goals and will be paired with mentors. Participating students will be provided with the education, tools, community connections and supports needed to launch a successful career and a fulfilling life in Nova Scotia after they graduate.
The objective of the program is to retain 80% of participating students one-year post-graduation. The first cohort, launched in the fall of 2016, retained 82% of students, while 84% of the second cohort remained in the province. As of today, close to 100% of the third cohort have stayed in Nova Scotia since graduating in July. Most of these students have secured jobs in their field of study. The high percentage of students who stayed in the province post-graduation speaks to the ongoing success of the program. The 2019 retreat marks the beginning of the fourth year for these programs.
This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and by the Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Labour and Advanced Education.
FOR THE EDITOR
EduNova Co-operative Ltd. is a not-for-profit association of education and training providers based in Nova Scotia, Canada. EduNova’s membership includes all 10 universities, the 13-campus community college (NSCC), the public K-12 schools through the Nova Scotia International Student Program (NSISP), independent K-12 schools and private language schools. EduNova’s mandate is to co-ordinate the international marketing efforts of Nova Scotia’s education and training sector.
Established in 2004, EduNova has over 15 years of experience in organizing and managing provincial and federal trade missions, recruitment trips, familiarization tours, agent/counsellor events, and other student attraction and retention initiatives. For more information about EduNova, please visit www.studynovascotia.ca.
EVENT DETAILS
Dates: Friday, October 4th to Sunday, October 6th, 2019
Venue: Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Members of the media are invited to visit the Atlantic Canada Study and Stay™ Retreat. The Retreat will run for the entire period and no specific date or time has been planned for media attendance. Arrangements can be made beforehand.
Media contact:
Contact: Jane Gaffney
Telephone: 902-406-7447
Email: jane@edunova.ca
Website: http://studynovascotia.ca/