New international students adjusting to life at Loyalist

By: Anmolpreet Singh

Belleville, ON — A new school year means new international students at Loyalist College.

Anurag Sharma, an international student from India, is studying biotechnology at Loyalist College. Sharma came to Canada in September for  what he hopes will be an excellent education and research opportunities. He chose Loyalist College because it offers a strong biotechnology program and a friendly atmosphere.

When Sharma first arrived in Belleville, he noticed how different it was from the busy city he was used to.

“It was a big change, but I’m settling in and starting to like it,” he shared.           

Sharma feels it’s important for his culture to be represented at college. He has faced some challenges with housing, transportation, and communication but appreciates how the college has helped him adjust.

“Loyalist College has been really supportive and has provided useful resources,” he said. 

He also mentioned the Cultural Showcase at Loyalist College as being helpful to his settling in. This event, held earlier this month, helps new students feel welcome and highlights the importance of cultural diversity on campus, he said.

Sharma also talked about what other international students have said. Many have faced similar challenges but value the support they receive from the college. He hopes to see more cultural events in the future. “More events celebrating different cultures would be great,” he suggested.

Mr. Sultan Pannu shares his experience as an international student at Loyalist College.

Sultan Pannu is another international student from India. Pannu says his experience has been quite different from Sharma’s. 

“I was excited about Canada’s reputation for research, but things have been tougher than I expected,” Pannu said.

When he first arrived in Belleville, he found it very different from his busy hometown.

“Belleville is much quieter and smaller, and I’ve had a hard time adjusting. I’m finding it difficult to get involved and find activities that I enjoy,” he explained.

Sultan feels that there is not enough cultural representation at Loyalist College.

“I’ve struggled to connect with cultural events and resources. Although the college offers some help, I still feel quite isolated,” he said. He has also faced problems with housing and transportation, similar to Sharma, but feels the college needs to do more to support international students.

Sultan noted that many international students share his feelings.

“We all appreciate the support we get, but we hope for more events and resources that make us feel included and welcome,” he said.

Pannu agrees with Sharma that more cultural events would be helpful, but he wants to see real changes to improve support for international students.