Continuing Education a gateway to cultural immersion

"I made so many friends and experienced real Canadian life and culture here. Canadians are so friendly!"  This is Ibuki speaking of his experience in University of Calgary’s English Language Program. He came to Calgary to study for one year while taking an educational leave of absence from his Japanese university. His Facebook page is filled with photos of Canadian and international friends from various activities in and around Calgary.

"Canadians helped me so much. When I return to Japan, I want to help foreigners because I realize they must feel scared while living in a foreign country without fully understanding the language. I feel I have grown as a person by having a broader view of the world." 

Ibuki is one of more than 900 individuals who took 235 English Language Program courses through Continuing Education in 2017, which helped prepare them for further study or to further their career options. The majority of students who take English Language courses are from all over the globe and primarily from Japan, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, Colombia, China, and Brazil.

These aren’t the only Continuing Education programs to celebrate difference and spark meaningful conversations. Homestay is another. For 17 years now, Continuing Education has been matching up students with Calgary families to enable them to improve their English language skills in an informal setting and to learn about western Canadian culture. Every year nearly 600 international students stay with Calgary families. The duration of stays are between two weeks and 12 months.

Hundreds of intrepid travellers expand their cultural horizons through Continuing Education’s Travel Study program. Each group begins the journey in the classroom with a highly knowledgeable instructor and program co-ordinator, then they hit the road together to explore more deeply the culture of the country. Travel arrangements, tours, food and accommodation are taken care of as participants fully immerse themselves in the experience.

Diversity Days celebrates diversity and inclusivity across University of Calgary campuses through a variety of events, open to all community members. Check out the full schedule from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1.