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International students arriving in Timmins quarantining: college

'They recognize it’s a challenge but they are ready to do it to get through and undertake their studies'
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(Supplied photo)

Several international students have started arriving in Timmins and are self-isolating at the Northern College residence.

The college’s executive director of student services, institutional research and registrar Cam McEachern said about 200 returning students have enrolled with the college this year, most of whom will be studying online. Because classes are being delivered online, students could be studying either from Timmins or from somewhere else in the province, he said.

As for the new intake, the college could see about 150-200 new international students that will do distance learning. About 30 are expected to arrive in Timmins before classes officially start on Sept. 9 due to their programs requiring attendance in person.

There are five students who are currently isolating at the residence, with the first student arriving last Friday. Two more students are quarantining outside of Timmins.

“They’re not obligated to come right away to us. They can present to immigration officials a quarantine plan at a friend or a relative’s home elsewhere in the province,” McEachern explained.

“We expect the remaining students will be arriving in Canada at a rate of two per day over the next couple of weeks. We suspect half of those will come to Timmins to quarantine and the other half might very well quarantine at their friend or relative somewhere else.”

Students staying in residence aren’t allowed to leave their rooms for two weeks and their meals are delivered to them.

“They recognize it’s a challenge but they are ready to do it to get through and undertake their studies,” McEachern said.

Before classes start, there is a series of online orientation events Sept. 8 to inform all students of COVID-19 protocols and prepare them for college life and post-secondary studies, McEachern said.

More than three-quarters of the programming can be offered online, he said, with an exception for programs that require in-person attendance such as electrical, welding technology and nursing.

International students are “highly motivated” to enroll, he said, but many are facing challenges such as internet problems and travel restrictions so they have to decide if they can access online programming or if they should defer their studies.

McEachern added there could possibly be about 50-60 students staying at the Timmins residence this year.

Earlier in March, Northern College partnered with Living Space and the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) to provide emergency accommodations for the homeless shelter’s clients.

About 30 people were initially housed at the residence. The agreement with the Living Space ended in July when most of the people had found permanent housing and left the residence. Two Living Space residents are still in residence, said college’s president Audrey Penner.

“This is a real success story. The two residents that are still in residence will actually become students at Northern College and get an opportunity to work through our social services program,” she said. “There’s a really good chance for them to be re-employed and attached to the labour force. The time they spent on the campus in residence, I think, has been a very positive experience."

They will start studying this fall. Support will be provided to them through the college’s student advising programs and through students in the social service worker program, who will be working with the two clients on a one-on-one basis.

Penner said the experience of housing Living Space clients has been “very good” and went without any issues.


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Dariya Baiguzhiyeva

About the Author: Dariya Baiguzhiyeva

Dariya Baiguzhiyeva is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering diversity issues for TimminsToday. The LJI is funded by the Government of Canada
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