September 30, 2019

For Premjot Singh, the new international resource room at Medicine Hat College offers a comfortable space for him to find support and connect with others. 

 The room, which hosted a grand opening on Sept. 25, is meant to be a hub for international students where they can ask questions and review their assignments with staff to gain greater understanding of their course and class expectations. 

"It was a difficult transition at first," says the second year business administration management student from Amritsar, Punjab. "Here it is a totally different education and expectation from India. This room will definitely help me, help other students. When we have difficulties, we can ask questions. The college came up with a really good idea." 

Teaching assistant, Shauntelle Broeckert, is proud of the college's role in supporting an international community in Medicine Hat and is glad when students are able to overcome challenges and succeed in the classroom.  

Shalla Shaharyar came to Canada from Pakistan 16 years ago and says her own experiences have given her a personal understanding of the cultural adaptation process, which allows her to relate to international students.  

"The world is very globalized and Medicine Hat is a part of that. As a college we're getting ready to help that demographic with the opening of this room,” says the English as a Second Language program administrator.  “It is a great opportunity to have different cultures in Medicine Hat. Diversity brings nothing but good."