KUWAIT: Glinks International Consultancy held a 'Study in Canada' event in Kuwait to help parents seeking a Canadian education for their children. Karuna Ausman, international marketing and recruitment specialist at University of Waterloo, explained to Kuwait Times why students should choose to study in Canada. "The quality of education in Canada is considered the best in the world, because Canada spends more money on education and is less expensive than other universities in other countries.

The cost of living and tuition fees for international students are generally lower than in other countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom," she said. Ausman added that universities in Canada allow students to study and work, giving them an opportunity to stay and work for up to three years and apply for permanent residency without having to leave Canada.

On the benefits of studying in Canada, she said institutions there are recognized and respected globally for their excellence through high accreditation standards, program diversity, flexibility, research and work experience opportunities, modern facilities and top quality teachers. A degree from Canada gives students the qualifications to be internationally successful. It also offers the most diverse and exciting range of higher education options anywhere in the world.

Ausman pointed out that the cost of study is between C$18,000 to C$57,000, depending on the program and university, adding that students do not have to wait to get their final results to apply, but can do so while they are in Grade 12. On visas, Ausman and Prabhjeet Singh, General Manager of Glinks, said Kuwait and Qatar have a scholarship program that allows locals to apply easily with no visas, but other nationalities have to follow certain procedures, assuring there's a 97 percent approval rate.

Marilyn Mendonca, admissions officer at Columbia College, explained how and when students can transfer between universities. "There is an agreement between Columbia College and British universities that allows students to transfer. They can go to any of the top universities in their second year, which normally requires between 24-30 credits, but you can transfer up to 60 credits. Students who wish to transfer in the third year normally require 54-60 credits," she said.

A Canadian student visa allows a wide variety of students either in an academic or vocational sector to grow within Canada's bilingual borders. From simply learning English or French to earning a post-graduate degree, a student visa allows students to expand their knowledge and expertise in Canada. This allows foreign students to bring their rich culture, expansive knowledge and varied skills to Canada's already diverse classrooms and schools.

Boasting excellent and varied educational options, reasonable tuition rates and living costs, a peaceful and multicultural community and the possibility of applying for permanent residence while in Canada, Canada is a top destination country for students seeking an international experience.

The seminar and information session was held on Wednesday and Thursday at Ibis Hotel. The participating institutions at the Glinks event were University of Waterloo, Vancouver Island University, University of Manitoba, McMaster University, Thompson Rivers University, Trent University, Columbia College, College of New Caledonia, North Island Collage, Okanagan Collage, Vancouver Film School and Golden Hills School District.

By Faten Omar