International students and graduates learn about opportunities available on PEI

Sixty international students and graduates from the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College, and Collège de l'Île learned about employment supports and immigration opportunities available on PEI during an event held on June 8 in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre at UPEI.

Participants had the opportunity to network with 15 local service providers including Immigrant and Refugee Services Association PEI (IRSA), Innovation PEI, PEI Connectors, PEI Community Navigators, Employment Journey, Skills PEI, Work PEI, Atlantic Student Development Alliance (ASDA), BIPOC USHR, UPEI Experiential Education Department, Holland College Career Services, Coopérative d'intégration francophone de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard, Career Development Services, PEI IT Alliance, and Fusion Charlottetown.

Jeff Young, director of the PEI Office of Immigration, shared the latest updates on immigration pathways, providing attendees with valuable information and guidance. International graduates Rita Olfi, Keyshawn Bonamy, and Shadae Sommerville shared their inspiring stories and experiences since they settled on PEI. The event ended with a unique musical performance from Nico Romero and Luisa Güiza, Holland College School of Performing Arts.

Emceed by Chloe Arlapen, an international graduate now working with the UPEI International Student Office, the event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of a cross-sector working group formed in the fall of 2021. The group includes representatives of UPEI, Holland College, Collège de l'Île, the PEI Office of Immigration, Study & Stay PEI, ASDA, Skills PEI, and IRSA, and is mandated to strengthen supports for international students after they graduate.