Study in BC Writer’s Award 2024: Share Your Experience!

Are you currently an international student studying at a BC post-secondary institution? Want to inspire others by sharing your international student journey, gain valuable writing experience, and be eligible for a chance to receive a $1,000 towards your tuition? Apply now for a Study in BC Writer’s Award 2024.

Eligibility:

You must be a full or a part-time international student currently enrolled at a BC post-secondary institution.

It’s great opportunity for you to gain professional experience, build your portfolio, and earn $1,000 towards your tuition! The application deadline is Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm PT.

Visit the SiBC Writer’s Award page to learn more and apply.

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Canada to Introduce New Rules Around Off-campus Work Hours for International Students

April 29, 2024—Ottawa—International students enrich Canada’s social, cultural and economic fabric. That is why, in recent months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced reforms to the International Student Program, to ensure system integrity while protecting students from fraud and financial vulnerability.

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced today that the temporary policy allowing students to work more than 20 hours per week off campus will come to an end on April 30, 2024, and it will not be extended. This fall, we intend to change the number of hours students may work off campus per week to 24 hours.

Students who come to Canada must be here to study. As such, allowing students to work up to 24 hours per week will ensure they focus primarily on their studies, while having the option to work, if necessary.

As we head into the summer session, students who have a scheduled academic break can continue working unlimited hours.

In developing this change, we looked at the needs of students, policies in other countries, as well as research that has shown that academic outcomes suffer the more a student works while studying. It also strikes the appropriate balance so students have the option to work without compromising academic outcomes. More details will be shared in due course.

We also continue to develop the new Recognized Institutions Framework to reward post­secondary institutions that set high standards for selecting, supporting and retaining international students. We will continue to support and protect international students from financial vulnerability and keep protecting the integrity of the International Student Program.

Read more here.

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IRCC: Revised requirements to better protect international students

On December 7, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced:

  • Temporary measures to allow some students to work off-campus more than 20 hours a week will be extended from Dec 31, 2023, to April 30, 2024. This will apply to students already in Canada and those who submitted a study permit application on or before December 7, 2023.
  • As of January 1, 2024, study permit applications will need to show proof of funds for $20,635 for the cost-of-living financial requirement in 2024, in addition to the first year of tuition fees and travel costs. The cost-of-living amount will be adjusted each year based on Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off.
  • Temporary policies for distance learning from outside Canada will not be continued after September 1, 2024.
  • Temporary policies for open work permits for PGWP holders will not be extended after Dec. 31, 2023.

Review the news release for more details.

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Here2Talk Provides Mental-health Support for Students this Fall

Free mental-health supports are available 24 hours a day for B.C. post-secondary students who may be coping with anxiety, depression and other concerns.

Here2Talk is a virtual counselling service that provides immediate mental-health support to students via the Here2Talk app, over the phone or through online chat.

Here2Talk supports overall well-being and mental health by providing students with the following:

  • 24/7 support: Confidential emotional support, including crisis intervention, available night and day via phone and chat.
  • Experienced professionals: Access to counsellors who have experience dealing with the common challenges faced by students.
  • No appointment needed: Call in or start a chat via the app or website.
  • Free to students: Access to professional mental-health and well-being support at no additional charge for students currently registered with a B.C. post-secondary institution.

The service is available to all part-time and full-time students registered in a public or private B.C. college, university, institute or trades program, whether they are in Canada or abroad. It aims to supplement any services students may already be accessing through their school or community.

Here2Talk provides counselling and support services upon request in various languages, such as French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Spanish and Arabic.

Since its April 2020 launch to July 2023, services have been accessed approximately 32,000 times. Seventy-three per cent of students said the service provided them with the support and tools they needed, while 65% said they would refer their friend or classmate to the service. Seventy-two per cent of students said the service improved their situation.

Additional resources are available to children and youth through Kids Help Phone. The organization provides counselling, referral and support for children and youth under 20. Professional counsellors are available to provide immediate and caring support to young people who are dealing with a problem, making a hard decision or concerned with feelings or mood. The service is free, confidential, anonymous and available 24 hours a day.

Learn More:

Chat sessions with a trained counsellor can be accessed by downloading the Here2Talk app or visiting: https://here2talk.ca/main

  • Students can speak to a counsellor by phone, toll-free at 1 877 857-3397 or direct at 604 642-5212.
  • Students calling from outside Canada can dial 1 604 642-5212 (international calling charges may apply).
  • Kids Help Phone can be reached at 1 800 668-6868.

Kids Help Phone – Live Chat Counselling is available online in British Columbia, Wednesday to Sunday, from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. (Pacific time): https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat-counselling/

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Study in BC Writer’s Award: Share Your Experience!

Are you currently an international student studying at a BC post-secondary institution? Want to inspire others by sharing your international student journey, gain valuable writing experience, and be eligible for a chance to receive a $1,000 towards your tuition? Apply now for a Study in BC Writer’s Award.

Eligibility:

You must be a full or a part-time international student currently enrolled at a BC post-secondary institution.

It’s great opportunity for you to gain professional experience, build your portfolio, and earn $1,000 towards your tuition! The application deadline is Tuesday, October 17, 2022, at 11:59 pm PT.

Visit the SiBC Writer’s Award page to learn more and apply.

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