The event welcomes international students and other newcomers to the community. It includes cultural dance demonstrations, traditional Canadian foods and games and prizes. It runs from 2 to 4 pm at the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
“This is a chance for our students to learn more about our community and for them to connect with locals and other newcomers,” said Mark Herringer, NIC’s executive director of international education and the office of global engagement. “It is important students get the opportunity to connect with the community beyond NIC so they can experience all the wonderful things the Comox Valley has to offer.”
NIC is welcoming more than 50 new international students arriving at its Comox Valley campus for the fall term and more than 40 students in Campbell River. Students come from more than 30 countries, including China, Japan, India, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Italy, Germany and the Philippines.
In total, more than 400 international students will attend classes college wide this fall, with the majority of those students based in the Comox Valley. The enrolment numbers are not final until later this fall.
International students bring different perspectives and experiences into the classroom, which enriches in-class discussions to the benefit of all learners, said Herringer.
“I’m so happy to be here,” said Nasim Esmaeili, an NIC accounting student who arrived from Iran in May. “The community has been incredibly welcoming and I’m excited for this event to be able to meet more people from throughout the community.”
For more information on international education at NIC, visit www.nic.bc.ca/international.
