Highlights: Free settlement services for international students in Canada
- International students studying in Canada can avail of certain free services to help them settle there.
- Settlement services are generally offered by specific organizations that are operative within the territory or province.
- The free services have their criteria, policies, offerings by the service providers, and eligibility requirements.
- The services can help students with language training, job hunting, and bonding with the local community.
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Five Free settlement services for international students in Canada
Settlement services provided by organizations can help international students settle in the country easily. The services are offered by designated organizations that are functional within the province. The eligibility requirements, policies, and services usually vary depending on the organization.
The list of five organizations offering free settlement services to international students is below.
Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
A DLI is an authorized Canadian post-secondary education institution that accepts international students. Students who wish to pursue their studies in the country must ensure that the school they are enrolled in has a valid DLI status. Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) offer settlement support by organizing workshops and other social events that may also vary depending on the type of DLI.
Some of the services offered by DLI are listed below:
- Help students understand their legal rights
- Help students be more involved within the community
- Educate students about the potential immigration pathways
- Helps students learn about banking services and credit unions
WoodGreen
WoodGreen is available in five different locations across Toronto and Ontario. The organization provides a range of settlement services, from helping to avail immigration-related services to understanding immigration queries and connecting to several other programs that are offered within the community. It often helps new international students with education, housing and accommodation, legal aid, and healthcare services.
Some of the examples of services offered by WoodGreen are listed below:
- Assistance to apply and avail of the benefits provided by the Canadian government
- Helps access services like:
- Legal aid
- Training
- Employment
- Healthcare
- Housing
- Education
- Assistance with immigration queries like:
- Canada Work permit
- Canada PR
- Canada citizenship
- Help students connect with community programs like:
- Recreational activities
- Language training
Mosaic British Columbia
The organization is operational in British Columbia, Vancouver, and Burnaby in British Columbia. The Mosaic British Columbia functions through the British Columbia Settlement and Integration Services (BCSIS) program.
Some of the examples of services offered by the Mosaic British Columbia are listed below:
- Helps access government services like healthcare and other benefits
- Facilitates social activities
- Holds workshops for students to explore and better understand Canadian PR pathways
- Offers referrals of support that includes inquiries related to visa status
- Provides employment-related support and coaching
- Offers premium access to seminars held by recognized professionals from different fields of work
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL)
The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) is operational across British Columbia and Invermere, along with 16 other communities within the province. The organization offers a wide range of settlement services, often in English and sometimes in French.
Some of the examples of services offered by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) are listed below:
- Personalized support to help navigate the local services
- Offers referrals and support to set new goals [For both individuals and families]
- Offers assistance with services like healthcare, banking, accommodation, availing legal services, and registering your children in schools and colleges
- Assistance with employment and to help settle in the Canadian work environment
- Assistance to fill out applications and forms correctly
- Helps connect clients to cultural groups, social groups, and other community activities
- Conducts English language assessment to help improve the language ability
- Offers formal and informal Language training that is available online as well as offline
Action for Healthy Communities (A4HC)
The Action for Healthy Communities (A4HC) is operational in Edmonton, Alberta. The A4HC offers services in both English and French by assisting international students via individual sessions and other group programs and activities.
The organization provides settlement services that can be classified into 8 different categories that are listed below:
1. Offers Regional support
2. Family dynamics
3. Specialized projects
4. Skill development programs and assistance to understand the educational system
5. Self-employment, employment and starting their own business
6. Assistance to understand more about ways to lead a life in the country in terms of:
- Banking
- Income support
- Housing
- Fitness and well being
7. Assistance with personal growth and development via:
- Computer training
- Language training
- Financial knowledge
8. Assistance to help involve in fairs, events and community in terms of:
- Volunteering
- Field trips
- Engaging in cultural and social networking groups
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