Adapting to COVID-19: Understanding the challenges of International Learners (Part 1)

Note: This session has passed, please view the recordings and resources here.

Audience:

This event is intended for faculty and staff of B.C. public post-secondary institutions.

About the Session:

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on all students; however, different needs, challenges, and opportunities have emerged for international students.

Join us as we learn and share with representatives from 4 post-secondary institutions in B.C. in a three-part webinar series. In this first session, we will discuss some of the challenges faced by international students and how they have been impacted by the pandemic, especially as we draw nearer to the Fall Semester. The second session (July 15) will focus on some of the innovations these institutions have implemented to provide support to international students in creative ways.

Facilitators:

Rohene Bouajram is the Program Director, Global Campus Initiatives at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver where she provides strategic leadership and direction for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program as well as the Simon K.Y. Lee Global Lounge and Resource Centre, a hub for globally-focused student organizations on campus. She has an MA in Intercultural Communication, BA in Psychology and is certified as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). Rohene has worked in areas related to intercultural dialogue, international recruitment, project management, ethical engagement, crisis intervention, policy evaluation and teaches courses related to Canadian immigration legislation. With over sixteen years of experience in post-secondary and international education, Rohene has coached and advised international students as an International Student Advisor and RCIC as well as led many teams at multiple Canadian institutions, including UBC.

Teresa Brooks is the Associate Director of International Student Services at snəw̓eyəɬ leləm Langara College. She has over 17 years of experience in international education and an MEd in Counselling Psychology from the University of BC. Her work focuses on international student support, adjustment, and engagement. She is passionate about improving international student success by meeting students where they are at and empowering them to fulfill their educational goals. Teresa also currently works closely with Langara’s Centre for Intercultural Engagement to implement internationalization on campus, which includes supporting employees to work and live more effectively in diverse environments.

Anne Harris is the Operations Manager for International Education at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, BC, a position she’s held for the past nine years. She manages a team of international student services staff, and takes a lead role in the development and implementation of the College’s international recruitment strategy. She supports students on every step of their journey from recruitment through admissions, to on-boarding, retention and graduation. Anne believes in an holistic approach to ensuring student success, and advocates to champion this approach across campus. Prior to working in international education, Anne has worked in community and continuing education, also at CNC, and has experience in leading non-profit organizations focused on economic development and adult education. Educated mainly in England, she holds a Masters of Music (Composition), a Post-Diploma in Human Resources Management, and has her designation as a Chartered Human Resources Professional (CPHR).

Kate Jennings is the Director for International Student Services at Vancouver Island University where she has the great pleasure of providing leadership for the international admissions and registration team, the international advising, clinical counselling, and immigration advising team, and the homestay and off-campus housing team.  Kate is passionate about building inclusive and innovative programs and services for students.  She has over 22 years of experience in international higher education having held positions at 5 different institutions in 3 provinces in Canada.  Kate is known as a leader in international higher education and regularly presents workshops and seminars for colleagues in Canada and globally.  She also volunteers her time to the international education sector through knowledge and advisory committee roles.