Conestoga students and employees filled the halls of the Doon campus on June 29 as they waited in line for a taste of the college’s Canada Day 150 BBQ. The event was hosted by Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI), the college’s student association, in partnership with the International Office.
International students volunteered their time on June 29 to help the Conestoga community celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.
“Canadians know how to have fun,” said Buki Odebunmi, one of more than 30 international students who volunteered at the event. He started the Computer Application Security program last January after leaving Nigeria; this was his first Canada Day celebration and he said he’s enjoying the activities around Canada’s 150th birthday.
Chiamaka Nwozo, also from Nigeria, is enrolled in the Global Business Management program and arrived in the region just two months ago - this was her first Canada Day as well. “I’m meeting so many people from so many backgrounds,” she said. “I like it here. Canadians choose everyone as their family.”
Jay Ly also arrived in the region recently and said his first Canada Day at Conestoga was “very special.” He volunteered so he could meet people, but also wanted to help the college prepare for the celebration. Ly is from Vietnam and chose to study at Conestoga on the advice of friends who had enrolled at the college before him. “I hope to find a job here after college,” said Ly. “I want to try my best to stay and contribute to Canada.”
Odebunmi and Nwozo also plan to work and contribute to the region after they finish their programs.
Conestoga hosts 2,500 international students from more than 80 countries. The International Office provides services and activities to support students and help them achieve academic and social success. In addition to an orientation program for new students, the office coordinates trips to local tourist attractions and hosts workshops that deal with a range of topics. For more information, visit the International Office
CSI represents Conestoga’s 12,500 full-time and 30,000 part-time students across all campuses and is committed to enhancing student satisfaction through active college and community awareness.