Overview
The Canadore International/Domestic Student Twinning Program (hereafter, the ‘Twinning Program’ seeks to provide a space for international and domestic students to meet, connect and learn from each other. The program’s key goals and objectives are to:
- Allow international students to feel welcomed and integrated into the North Bay and Parry Sound local communities by developing long-lasting friendships and connections with their domestic peers, and
- To provide domestic students a structured and conducive space outside the classroom for the reciprocal learning of diverse international cultures, languages, cuisines and worldviews.
Main Program Features
The Twinning Program works on an annual basis to pair domestic and international students that voluntarily show interest in participating.
Expressions of interest are actively sought once a year at the start of the Fall Semester. Students participating in the program (both domestic and international) are recruited via an online form.
The size of the program each year is dependent on the number of students participating. Generally speaking, the program operates on the principle of twinning one domestic student with one international student. The students participating do not have to be in the same program or in the same year (first year or returning student).
Student interests are considered in the matching process. For example, program applicants may be asked to outline their hobbies, interests and goals so that student participants can be matched according to non-academic interests wherever possible.
A program oversight committee comprised of representatives from various Canadore administrative divisions undertake twinning of students based on interests expressed by the program applicants.
Should there not be enough domestic students participating in the program, upper year returning international students may be paired with new international students, following due consideration by the program committee.
Why Participate?
The Program seeks to foster a sense of community and connection to not only Canadore College, and the broader communities of North Bay and Parry Sound, but also elements of international global citizenship. As such, the program is an ideal mechanism, one of many at Canadore College, to supplement your experience outside the classroom.
The Program may also be eligible for academic recognition via the Canadore College Co-Curricular Record (CCR) (TBC). The notation for all students is captured at the end of the program at the end of the Winter semester. The program may also be showcased on resumés as evidence of volunteerism.
For domestic students, the Program is also a way to internationalize their diploma or degree program at home. While some domestic students may have had the opportunity to travel abroad in the past (or be seeking to participate in a semester abroad in the future), participation in the program is one way for a domestic student to provide an internationalization component to their Canadore academic program without ever leaving their home campus in North Bay/Parry Sound.
Finally, the Program endeavors each year to organize at least 2-3 events in the local community for program participants. These can range from an outing at the local ski hill and snowshoeing in the winter months, to camping and kayaking in the summer months (these events are in addition to the program Welcome and Concluding Events). While participants receive no honorarium or other financial compensation for participation in the program, participants in any organized events will usually have their expenses covered.
Key Dates
The Twinning Program starts at the beginning of the Fall semester and concludes at the end of the Winter semester.
For Academic Year 2021-22, the following are the key main milestone dates for the program:
- Applications Open: August 1, 2021
- Applications Close: September 7, 2021 - EXTENDED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 24
- Twinning Matches: September 7-12, 2021
- Matches Announced: September 15, 2021
- Program Welcome Event: September 20, 2021
- First Mid-Semester Program Check-in Event: November 20, 2021
- Second Mid-Semester Program Check-in Event: February 20, 2022
- Program Concluding Celebration: April 20, 2022
The Canadore International/Domestic Student Twinning Program (hereafter, the ‘Twinning Program’ seeks to provide a space for international and domestic students to meet, connect and learn from each other. The program’s key goals and objectives are to:
- Allow international students to feel welcomed and integrated into the North Bay and Parry Sound local communities by developing long-lasting friendships and connections with their domestic peers, and
- To provide domestic students a structured and conducive space outside the classroom for the reciprocal learning of diverse international cultures, languages, cuisines and worldviews.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ BEFORE COMPLETING THIS APPLICATION
Working as part of the team, the Domestic Student Twinning Program candidate is responsible for engaging with an international student. In this capacity, the Domestic Student will act as a cultural guide and a resource person assisting in their transition to the College, North Bay and Canada.
As part of the role, each Domestic student will be required to work within their International student to assist in planning one event per semester, which includes proposal development, recruitment, organization and execution of the event.
This role requires an average commitment of 1 hour/week.
- Responsibilities:
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- Maintain contact with international student and report back on student status
- Communicate regularly with the International Team and CSC through the email, phone, etc.
- Proactively support International Students in their transition to Canadore College by providing information and referrals to appropriate campus resources
- Collaborate with group members to plan semester events including, but not limited to; proposal development, recruitment and event execution
- Promote a sense of belonging and inclusion through regular contact with mentees and encouraging participation in CSC events
- Share your knowledge about Canadian culture and actively engage in dialogue, learning more about their experience and culture
- Encourage students to attend CSC events and communicate benefits of programming
- Create a safe, open, and culturally sensitive environment
- Attend Twinning Program and team-building retreat
- Attend monthly Twinning Program meetings
- Assist students in their integration into the Canadore College and North Bay community
- Communicate student issues and/or concerns to executive members and/or International Student Support Services and Programs Office employees
- Skills/Attributes:
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- Exhibit cultural sensitivity and willingness to learn from mentees and executive team
- Interpersonal, listening and communication skills
- Ability to foster inclusivity and build global awareness
- Informed knowledge of Canadore College resources available
- Empathy and interest in helping others
- Dedication to mentoring role
- Enthusiasm and desire to learn about all cultures
- The Twinning Program works on an annual basis to pair domestic and international students that voluntarily show interest in participating:
Academic recognition: The Program may also be eligible for academic recognition via the Canadore College Co-Curricular Record (CCR) (TBC). The notation for all students is captured at the end of the program at the end of the Winter semester. The program may also be showcased on resumés as evidence of volunteerism. - Photographs, video and other images or recordings taken during Twinning Program may be used in official Canadore College print or electronic materials. Please alert a Canadore representative at the event if you wish to not have your image captured.