Okanagan College
Okanagan College
The history of Okanagan College can be traced back to the very sixties, when the post-secondary educational institution was known as the British Columbia Vocational School. It was then renamed Okanagan University College and then re-adopted its former name. It was subdivided into two separate institutions: the Okanagan College and the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Today, the main campus of the Okanagan College is located in the city of Kelowna in the province of British Columbia. There are also campuses in Penticton, Vernon, and Salmon Arm. Today, more than 8,400 students, including international students, obtain post-secondary education here. One thousand people from forty different countries are studying at the Okanagan College right now, and the number of people coming from abroad is only increasing year by year.
Programs at the Okanagan College
It’s required to have a high level of the English language to start the main academic studies at the Okanagan College. International students can confirm their level of English by providing the results of the Duolingo online test or certificates of Academic IELTS, TOEFL, or other official examinations. If they need to brush up on their English knowledge, international students need to take English as a second language courses at the Okanagan College, which can be taken either online or offline. It can be English Language; English for Academic Purposes; and English for Specific Purposes that can help students to become one step closer to the a degree gained in Canada. By the way, international students can choose a special academic pathway during their studies at the Okanagan College. It means that a student can complete their first years at Okanagan College before continuing on to a degree at one of the partnering universities.
There are Arts University Studies and Science University Studies offered at the Okanagan College. Okanagan College students generally study to earn a diploma, a certificate, or an associate degree by completing approximately sixteen subjects depending on the program and then transferring to the second or third year of a university.
The Okanagan College is organized into several departments: Communications; Economics; Anthropology; Geography and Earth and Environmental Science; History; Modern Languages; Sociology; Psychology; and Political Science;
One of the newest programs at the Okanagan College is the Applied Bachelor of Arts: Community Research and Evaluation. It can be taken on the Kelowna campus, but some of the courses can be taken in the cities of Vernon, Kelowna, and Penticton in the online and offline formats, but only in the full-time mode. The program is aimed at teaching students all the peculiarities of community development through the prism of social sciences and liberal arts. Moreover, students learn about the culture of the indigenous population to understand how to preserve it and how it influences the modern Canadian society. Besides, the Okanagan College wants students to develop their competencies in writing, qualitative analysis, and ethics so that they will be able to contribute to the sustainable development and research the processes that are happening in the community. After their graduation, students will be able to work as social policy researchers, conduct advocacy campaigns for the minorities and youth, and occupy a range of positions in non-profit organizations.
A diploma can be earned in the program of Communications, Culture, and Journalism Studies at the Kelowna campus of the Okanagan College. This one can be taken in the full-time and part-time modes, and the full-time presupposes students taking five courses per term. During the program, students learn about the mass media and its influence on the modern society. On the whole, the Okanagan College devised a program that combines many disciplines, as all of them are interconnected. Students are taught the history of journalism; constructions of gender, race, and nationality; how news functions in terms of economy and policy; and the possible ways to create such a cultural policy that will contribute to building a just society. After completing this two-year program, students will be able to work as public relations specialists, new media consultants, journalists, or continue their studies at the Simon Fraser University for the Bachelor of Arts in the program of Communication. During the degree program, students continue their research on Commutation Studies and Information Technologies and their social impact.
At the Okanagan College students can earn a diploma in Writing and Publishing as well. This program is available in the cities of Vernon and Kelowna, both full-time and part-time. Two years are dedicated to learning about creative writing and editing, together with the peculiarities of typography and even graphic design. Students practice their skills in using the modern software necessary for working in publishing and have a chance to try their skills in the local student newspaper or in a letterpress print shop of the Okanagan College. Graduation from this program grants students an opportunity to continue studying at the Athabasca University to achieve a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communication Studies or Bachelor of Arts in English at the Vancouver Island University.
The Okanagan College also offers students the opportunity to achieve the following diplomas: Criminal and Social Justice; Environmental Studies; Business Administration in a number of specializations of a student’s choice; Commercial Aviation; Culinary Management; Early Childhood Education; Civil Engineering Technology; and a number of others.
As for the tuition fees, the English as a Second Language program will cost approximately CAD 6,400 per semester; an Associate of Arts Degree and Diploma in Communication, Culture, and Journalism will cost around CAD 16,000 per academic year.
Accommodation at the Okanagan College
During your studies at the Okanagan College, international students have several options to choose from. The first option is a homestay. Actually, it’s the only available accommodation for these international students, who haven’t reached eighteen yet, and they don’t have relatives residing in Canada. On the whole, it’s a viable option for anyone who has come to the country for the first time and needs to be surrounded by a family atmosphere, at least during the initial period of getting used to the new environment. The host families do everything possible to aid an international student with this process: they have meals, spend weekends, and enjoy leisure activities all together. A private bedroom and access to all facilities are provided to every international student for which they pay around CAD 850 per month. A placement fees and the fees of an agency that provides a homestay and pick the best family for a student are paid additionally, usually as a single payment.
The Okanagan College has a special building for student housing in the Okanagan Valley. All the suites are fully furnished and located near the Kelowna campus so that students won’t waste time commuting to classes. Each room is equipped with everything necessary for studying: a desk, a chair, a lamp, and a bed. International students can choose between fully private rooms with a small kitchen and a shower inside and a private bedroom in a five-bedroom suite. On the whole, there are thirty-two private studios and twenty-two suites with places for five students. The first one cost CAD 2,250 per term, and the last one cost somewhere around CAD 2,700 per semester. As you can see, the number of places at the Okanagan College student residence is limited, so you need to book a place there as early as possible.
Moreover, the residence features lounges and study rooms where students can study on their own or in groups if they want to. Besides studies, special events are organized for students to relax and add entertainment to their academic lives. Movie nights, laser tag, and different games and sports activities are often held for the residents of the Okanagan College housing.
If there are no available spaces in a student residence, you can consider renting an apartment in Kelowna. The average rent price in Kelowna is around CAD 1,800 for a one-bedroom. Be sure, to check the prices in advance as well, as it’s depends on the type of furnishing, its proximity to the city center, and a lot of other factors.
Future Prospects
After finishing your studies at the Okanagan College, most international students choose to continue their education by achieving degrees and doing other academic programs in Canada. Once a student feels ready to proceed with building their career, they can get a post-graduation working visa to work in the country for three years. But, of course, they can travel somewhere else and find employment in any country in the world, as the credentials earned at the Okanagan College serve as a confirmation of highly developed skills.
If a former graduate of the Okanagan College decides to earn a post-graduation work permit, then they might continue with a permanent resident status and citizenship of Canada. The environment in Canada facilitates the flow of skilled immigrants, who have a chance to become part of the multicultural community and make the country’s economy and society even better.
In case, if you need assistance with Custodianship and Homestay in order to study in Okanagan College or other schools in Canada, please fill in application below or contact us directly.
