According to the U of M Fall Term Enrolment Executive Summary, the international student population has seen an overall increase of 1.5 per cent, rising from 2,134 in the fall term of 2008 to 2,165 in fall of 2009.

The U of M has students from regions around the world, with the majority of students coming from Asia and Africa and the least from Oceania (Australia).

The largest number of students from an individual country come from Nigeria, with a total of 141 students. The smallest numbers come from South Africa, Italy and Venezuela, each with a total of three students.

The International Centre for Students (ICS), located at 541 University Centre, helps international students both before and after arrival to make their experience enjoyable and successful and to create an overall easy transition.

ICS provides information about coming to Canada, immigration rules for students and accommodations in Canada. International students can make appointments with advisors on a variety of concerns, such as work permits, study permit extensions, travel visa applications and passport renewals.

Former ICS administration officer and program coordinator assistant, IBK Akin-Agunbiade, said,
“I think [ . . . ] it ends up being a fantastic experience because of the community of people in Winnipeg. The friendly city spreads into the university and [ . . . ] it seems students tend to experience the more positive side of a community of friendly accepting people.”

ICS also organizes a variety of outings for international students, such as snowshoeing, ski trips, sports nights, a fall migration tour, arts and cultural events, as well as day trips around Winnipeg and Manitoba, while also providing educational programs such as volunteer English practice program, leadership development series, tax assistance and Life as a Student — Skills for Success.

Life as a Student — Skills for Success holds free workshops on topics like presentations and public speaking, writing essays, stress management, applications, academic integrity, communication skills and writing exams.

Jeff Adams, the director of student recruitment said that the U of M travels to university affairs around the world, primarily in Asia and Africa, as well as some in the Middle East, in order to promote enrolment to the U of M.

Akin-Agunbiade said, “The university also makes attempts to allow orientation for new students and international students [to be] as welcoming as they can imagine. So I believe the overall experiences of international students at the U of M lean more toward the positive.”

On Nov. 13, the faculty of social work held their second annual conference on Strangers in New Homelands: Deconstructing and Reconstructing of Home Among Immigrants in the Diaspora. The discussion focused on the integration and settlement process of new immigrants around the world. The conference held 20 workshops throughout the day with presenters from around North America.

“Winnipeg and Manitoba are effectively a new homeland for a variety of peoples representing very different circumstances,” says Dr. Harvy Frankel, dean of social work.

“Our city and province are enriched by their presence and it is important that we ensure these ‘strangers’ find their new homeland to be a fair and just place to live.”