When Vanessa Choi arrived at St. Mike’s from her home in Hong Kong, an orientation marshal took her on one of the most iconic of Canadian experiences: a trip to Canadian Tire. Four years later, that kindness remains fresh in her mind, even as she prepares to graduate in a few days.  

 Running this errand, which also included a stop at Walmart, not only helped her pick up some items she needed for her dorm room in Sorbara Hall and helped her familiarize herself with public transit, but it also convinced her she had landed at the right university. 

Before deciding to apply to St. Mike’s, Vanessa had gone online to do research into universities and saw many that put forward their academic credentials and stellar reputations. But when she stumbled across St. Mike’s, what impressed her was that the University’s presence also included emphasis on community, something equally important in Vanessa’s books. 

“I saw videos that showed community spaces and activities and I thought, ‘This is a cool little community. It seemed a warmer place,’” she says. 

And while Vanessa was part of the Covid cohort, arriving in the summer of 2020, she is appreciative of the efforts made to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic. Her don, Lara, for example, would check in students via her “Weekly Whatsup” virtual event, and even managed to introduce Vanessa, a keen guitar player, to another floormate looking for someone with whom to jam. The two began to play guitar together in one of the common rooms. 

Vanessa’s experience in first year drove her desire to become an Orientation leader in second year and then, in a big step, to join the administration of St. Michael’s College Student Union (SMCSU) in third year to help create a climate where students can thrive both academically and socially. 

“I was going to interview for a Don’s position but discussions came up about SMCSU and the position of Vice President Arts being open. SMCSU staff advisor Emma Oliver noted that the person who had held the position before me was into visual arts, but I was assured it could be about anything and, since I play guitar and am interested in music, I said yes,” Vanessa says. 

One of the benefits of Vanessa holding the VP Arts position? “I have a few guitars here, so anyone can borrow one” for things like open mic night at St. Mike’s own Kelly’s Korner. 

At the same time she joined SMCSU, Vanessa also joined Collegium as an undergraduate representative on the University’s highest governing body, representing the student voice in key discussions on everything from the current budget to long-range plans. 

“I’d taken Eco 105 (Principles of Economics for Non-specialists) so I figured I could handle the financial reports,” she says with mock seriousness. “It was a steep learning curve!” – and one she says offered her tremendous exposure to governance, meeting procedures and other skills that will help her in her future.  

During her undergraduate years Vanessa did translation work as a part-time job. Today, she works in a position that helps companies assess the possibilities and costs of converting to alternative energy options, whether introducing solar panels or moving to electric vehicles. She has worked with a variety of international clients and a current project has her based in Scotland, she adds, noting that her Collegium responsibilities carry on until the annual general meeting in the fall. 

When asked about what advice she would offer to incoming students, she says that when opportunities and experiences present themselves, “let it take you where you’re going to go. Be open-minded and sign up for everything that interests you. Take it one step at a time. University is hard. Just chill!” 

As she thinks about moving on, Vanessa, who majored in criminology and psychology with a minor in political science – and a Certificate in International Affairs on the side – says: “I will miss the staff at St. Mike’s, including the staff in the Canada Room who sang me Happy Birthday on my birthday.” 

And about that trip to Canadian Tire? Vanessa returned the favour the very next year, taking a brand-new first-year on the very same route. 

More Convocation 2024:

Grad Para Babuharan on Finding His Community

St. Mike’s Student Dacian Dawes on Finding her Place

Grad Patrick Elo on Crossing the Finish Line

Grad Caroline McQuade on the Value of Mentors

Grad Patrick Policicchio on Research, Connection and Belonging

Grad Anita Rajkumar on Giving Back to her Community

Renata Brum is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). Prior to founding Brum Immigration in 2018, she was the Senior Citizenship Judge of Canada, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for 5 years, responsible for supervising and training 36 citizenship judges. Reporting directly to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, she was a citizenship judge for 6 years prior to her appointment as Senior Judge. Renata is an alumna of St. Michael’s and a former Vice Chair of the Collegium.

Helping International Students Navigate Canada’s Immigration System During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented and disruptive force in all our lives. Our daily routines have undergone significant upheaval and our social interactions have become largely virtual—a practice that disrupts our intuitive inclination to connect through personal presence and physical touch. 

Staying physically apart has had a significant impact on all students in Canada who have had to muster up new levels of resilience and creativity as they adapt to online learning and to prolonged isolation from their friends and classmates with whom they normally interacted with over the course of their studies. 

Perhaps one of the harder hit groups has been international students, who are often in Canada with limited support, without their family members, and who have now been separated from their friends and communities for almost a year as provincial and federal lockdowns and restrictions have strictly curtailed social gatherings.

Additionally, the sharp decrease—or in many cases, total suspension—of in-person learning, looming immigration status expiry dates, and an unclear future with regard to job opportunities, have left international students with justified anxieties about what comes next. 

Over the course of the past year, I have had the opportunity to help international students navigate the murky, and often overwhelming, information provided to them by Canadian immigration officials. These clients in particular touch a nerve, elicit a deep, intuitive and reflexive compassion, since they are the age of all of my five children—18–24—who are themselves reaching beyond their grasp toward the future they are dreaming for themselves.

During these unusual times, I have assisted international students with applications for initial study permits, extensions of their status in Canada, applying for Post Graduate Work Permits, and have assisted financially precarious students obtain emergency work permits—notwithstanding their student status—so they could work full-time and support themselves in Canada.

My clients’ stories and struggles as they navigate how to continue their dreams of making a better life for themselves in Canada continue to inspire me. I recently worked with a young student, a brilliant aerospace engineer who, having been disowned by his family, was alone in Canada without any support. He found himself on the brink of poverty, utterly destitute, and with no way to pay his tuition unless he was able to work full-time. Bound to part-time work by the conditions imposed on him as an international student, he did not know what to do. When we connected, I was moved. My maternal instincts kicked in. I offered him a room in our home and then set to work on his immigration status. I knew he was an ideal candidate for an emergency “destitute” student work permit. I took on his case pro bono and successfully obtained his work permit authorization—in 3 months—giving him the ability to adequately support himself in Canada.

Fortunately, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) has introduced a variety of policies aimed at assisting international students begin and continue their studies and at obtaining the proper authorization to work after they have completed their program.

Applying for a Study Permit

Before travelling to Canada, the vast majority of international students must apply for a study permit. Only citizens and permanent residents of the United States of America, and limited others may apply for a study permit at a port of entry at this time. Unsurprisingly, study permits issued to students online and before travelling to Canada are delayed—so be prepared for a wait.

Entering Canada

International students who have a valid study permit or letter of introduction confirming that their application for a study permit has been approved and that they have been accepted to a designated Canadian school that has an approved COVID-19 readiness plan are exempt from the travel restrictions currently in place. This exemption also applies to accompanying family members of workers or students who wish to study in Canada.

Technical Bits — Extending Your Studies & Restoring your Status

What if your study permit has expired and you need more time to complete your studies or you wish to pursue additional studies in Canada?  You may apply to extend your study permit online.

If your study permit has already expired, you may be eligible to restore your status. If it has been less than 90 days since your study permit expired, you can restore your status as a student by applying online. In addition to these provisions, there are special measures for students whose status has expired beyond 90 days—an unusually compassionate step for those who were particularly hard hit by COVID-19 uncertainties.

Working in Canada After You Complete Your Program: Changes to the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program

Eligibility for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) now varies greatly depending on whether you are inside or outside of Canada. These requirements are technical, and it’s best to call us for advice before applying.

Mandatory Quarantine

Although international students are exempt from the travel restrictions, they are not exempt from the mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement. On February 21, 2021, all international travellers (except for a few limited exemptions) are required to enter a government-approved quarantine facility for a period of 3 days as they await the results of the COVID-19 test they underwent upon arriving in Canada.

We continue to assist international students at all stages of their studies in Canada in navigating Canada’s immigration system.

• For updates, visit this FAQ for international students for information.
• Additional information for newly admitted international students is also available.

Each year, students come from all over the world to study at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. We caught up with one of those students to hear more about what life is like for our international student community, and how St. Mike’s becomes a home away from home.

Simran Dhir is a second-year student specializing in Pharmacology and Toxicology while minoring in Education and Society. She came to St. Mike’s from Kolkata, India, and is involved with the SMC Troubadours theatre club on campus. She was also a member of SMC One: The McLuhan Seminar in Creativity and Technology, which features an in-course international learning experience to Silicon Valley.

1. What makes St. Michael’s a good fit for you as an international student?

St. Mike’s is one of the most welcoming places I have been to. Considering how diverse we are, it is impossible not to find people you relate to and who are going through the same things as you. Also, with the help of the super knowledgeable Dons and the Registrar who work so hard trying to ensure that the transition from high school to college goes smoothly, it is hard to not feel as if St. Mike’s is a home away from home.

2. What are some of the resources available at St. Michael’s that new international students should know about?

We have a really well-organized Mentorship program that pairs incoming students with seniors who share similar interests, and I think it’s a really nice way to get to know the workings of the University. Being situated right across from the Kelly Library comes with its perks, and each student has a personal librarian that can help them with their research assignments and writing. There are also study spaces that can be booked for group study sessions. We have a great support system created by our Dons, and we have an excellent team of Commuter Dons who are there for the students who do not live on campus. Our Student Union this year is super involved in campus life and is going out of their way to make students feel like they are being heard.

We also have a wide array of clubs that you can get involved in, like the St. Michael’s College Troubadours, which is the drama club at our college, or Clean SMC, which works on creating a more sustainable campus. The Registrar is there to help answer any questions you may have, and is one of the most important resources that you should take full advantage of. Last but not least, interact with the people around you! Your peers are the most underrated resource here and if you let yourself be open to the community around you, you will have some of the best years of your life here.

3. What is your favourite part of life as an international student at St. Michael’s?

The community is hands-down my favourite part of life here as an international student. St. Mike’s has so many events like the Dean’s Cup and Kelly’s Corner that provide students with the opportunity to get involved and which garner a sense of belonging. I strongly feel that the diversity present in this college makes us more inclusive, and that no matter where you are from, you will find the support and love you need here.