World class media program attracts international students

Student Profile

Bernard de Vaal will soon be a graduating from St. Clair College’s Media Convergence program.

De Vaal, an international student from Cape Town, South Africa, sees many doors open ahead of him.

“There’s a lot of competition in the field of media, but I’m excited to see what opportunities are out there said,” said de Vaal. He found the year very challenging and eye-opening.

“It’s a much different the socio-economic landscape compared to what I’m used to,” he said. 

The graduate program offers real-time hands on experience from radio broadcast, web writing, television broadcasting and all facets of news reporting.

International students from the Fall 2017 intake made up about half of the program this year and, with 12 international graduates, marked the highest number to date for Media Convergence.

Over the graduate diploma program’s six years, students have come China, India, Malaysia, Kuwait, Romania, Colombia and South Africa.

For those who come to Canada with English as a second language, there are many support systems in place for the students.

Meanwhile, Canadian students say they feel well prepared as they leave the college.

“I would not have been ready to go out into the workforce had I not taken this course after the (undergraduate) journalism program,” said Sreedha Varanasi from Vancouver, B.C.

Both de Vaal and Varansi credit the teachers with giving them the good direction and feedback.

Related link:

International students wanting to stay in Canada, say St. Clair College advisors