Slava Zhiradkov

Are International Student Recruitment Agents Serving Students or Themselves? 🇨🇦 International education is a valuable pathway for students and a significant economic driver for Canada. But are we turning a blind eye to a potential dark side? Many schools rely on third-party recruitment agents to reach international students. While these agents can play a role in connecting students with opportunities, concerns are rising about potential exploitation. Here's why: - Misrepresentation of programs and costs: Agents might over-promise job prospects or downplay the true financial burden of studying abroad. - Predatory recruitment tactics: High-pressure sales techniques and misleading information can leave students feeling pressured into programs that aren't a good fit. - Lack of transparency: The financial relationship between agents and institutions can be unclear, leading to conflicts of interest and potentially inflated costs for students. This isn't about demonizing all agents, but about promoting transparency and student protection. ⚖ I recently met Sarah (name changed), a bright and ambitious student from Colombia. Sarah dreamed of studying business in Canada and envisioned a bright future with a rewarding career. An agent working on behalf of a specific college promised her a clear path to a post-graduation work permit, making it sound like the perfect opportunity. Excited by this prospect, Sarah enrolled in the program. Unfortunately, upon arrival, Sarah discovered that she was not eligible for the promised work permit, as her institution is not eligible for a PGWP. Now, Sarah faces a mountain of debt that is not going to grant her the opportunity to work after her studies. This is just one story, but it highlights the potential consequences of unethical recruitment practices. What can be done? What are your thoughts? Have you encountered any issues with recruitment agents? Would love to hear your opinions on this matter... ⬇ #internationalstudent #canada #education #transparency #advocacy

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🚨 Important Update for Anyone Applying to Canada! 🇨🇦 Starting December 1,2024 application and processing fees for visitor, worker, and student applications will increase. •STUDY VISA FEE OLD FEE - $150+ BIOMETRICS NEW FEE - $379+ BIOMETRICS • TOURIST VISA FEE OLD FEE - $100+ BIOMETRICS NEW FEE - $229 + BIOMETRICS If you are planning to apply for a visa, work permit, or study permit—or extend your stay in Canada—make sure to check the updated fees before submitting your application to avoid any surprises! https://lnkd.in/gPjDJSZZ Stay informed and ensure a smooth application process. #CanadaVisa #Immigration #Canada #VisitorVisa #WorkPermit #StudyPermit #ImmigrationUpdate

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10 things you need to know about studying in Canada Have you considered moving to Canada to study? With more than 100 world-class universities across the country, there’s good reason to. From coast to coast to coast, it offers many international students a safe and supportive learning environment – as well as the opportunity to work after graduation.  Want to learn more? In this guide, we cover 10 things you should know about studying in Canada! #PearsonLanguages #BeYourselfinAnyLanguage #Pearson #PearsonEnglish#PTE #PTEAcademic https://lnkd.in/eqyWCGxZ

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🔔 Important update for international students! The IRCC has introduced new caps and changes. Learn how these updates might impact your plans to study in Canada. Read the Full Article #NishasNet #InternationalStudents #CanadaEducation #Canada #Studentlife #IRCCChanges #StudyAbroad #EducationNews https://lnkd.in/dkmw_hBZ

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🌟 Unlock your potential with Cape Breton University’s Post Baccalaureate in Business Management! 📈✨ Are you ready to elevate your career? We invite students to register for the January 2025 intake and gain the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape. 📅 Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your future! 👉 Apply now and take the next step towards success! MSM Unify Cape Breton University #BusinessManagement #PostBacc #January2024Intake #FutureLeaders

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I feel that Canada is 6-12 months ahead of Australia, in terms of introducing the student cap, and starting to 'pay the price' for this rather irresponsible decision. This University World News article is almost a blueprint of what is likely to happen to education destinations introducing a hard cap on international students: 1️⃣  The cap is introduced to alleviate pressure on hiking rents and skyrocketing cost of living, and to mitigate the risk of too many dodgy providers and agents in the higher ed ecosystem. 2️⃣ International students make up - before the cap is introduced - the bulk of temporary entrants. 3️⃣ The cap is introduced, institutions scramble to understand what is happening and negotiate the cap with bureaucrats. They know they will hurt, but at this stage they are just trying to soften the blow as much as they can. 4️⃣ Student visa applications take forever to get assessed, and approval rates plummet. In Canada, a notoriously fickle country in terms of student visa approvals, approval rates are currently sitting at 50%. You read it right: only 1 in 2 student visa applications is successful. 5️⃣ Indian students, and students from large sending markets, start looking at alternative destinations, frustrated with difficulties, delays and broadly because they don't feel welcome anymore. 6️⃣ The student cap is NOT met, because of the visa rejections and the delays. And also because, as Andrew Norton brilliantly points out (https://lnkd.in/gDFYY-Zz), the cap is decided by politicians and not driven by student demand. 7️⃣ The reputation of the country as an education destination takes a major hit, and so does its economy. It will take years, if not decades to recover from this. 8️⃣ Without wanting to sound too negative, good luck to us all, we will need it! AIG Education Group ❤️ #studentcap #internationalstudents #education #Australia #Canada #US #educationdestinations https://lnkd.in/gQwvYYB6

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We think fewer overseas students will be coming from abroad to study in #Australia #Canada & the #UK, during the next academic year. To right the political wrongs metered out to international students in the name of immigration reform, pressure on health services & the housing crisis, universities must evidence that the majority return home following their studies. Subscribe to International #Employability Insight - https://lnkd.in/e5c_CSE4 “Fewer #internationalstudents are coming from abroad to study at #Canadian universities this fall, & Universities Canada is warning that the numbers have dropped below the cap the federal government set on #internationalstudent #visas this year. The #immigration minister announced a cap in January as a way to quell the rapid increase in the number of international students, citing pressure on housing, #healthcare & other services. The new policy limits the number of #studentvisa applications the government would accept into processing, & that was expected to result in a 35% drop in the number of students in 2024 compared to last year. “The drop just within #universities will be well beyond that,” said Gabriel Miller president of UC. “This is a hit, a national hit to #university budgets that we haven’t seen in modern memory.” The cap created uncertainty for prospective students, & the Immigration Department’s pause in visa processing while the government implemented the changes may have led those students to look elsewhere, he said. “The most important piece of feedback we've heard is just real uncertainty and confusion about what kind of opportunities there are going to be to come & #study in Canada, & what the rules would be,” he said. Miller said the full impact won’t be clear until #schools see how many students turn up in September. Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada said there has been an overall decrease in intake and approvals in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The department agrees it’s too early to fully assess the impact of the cap on study permit applications, since the busiest months for permit processing are Aug & Sept. In the first half of this year, 244,895 new study permits came into effect, according to data released by the Immigration Department.” Asia Careers Group SDN BHD - Investing in International Futures AIEA - Association of International Education Administrators AUIDF British Council BUILA Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) | Bureau canadien de l’éducation internationale Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) Innovative Research Universities (IRU) University Innovation Alliance (UIA) Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia NAFSA: Association of International Educators National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS) Regional Universities Network The Group of Eight UCAS UKCISA Universities Australia Universities UK Universities UK International

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Lately, there has been a decline in international student enrollment. Changing political scenarios made some impact. However, we still say Canada is strong. #canada #Internationalstudents #studyincanada #studypermit #canadavisa #IELTS #immigration #studentvisa #futureofcanada

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A new economic impact analysis reveals that international students contributed a staggering $31 billion to the Canadian economy in 2022. Here are some key highlights: • Total international student spending reached $37.3 billion for tuition, accommodation, and discretionary items • This spending supported over 246,000 full-time equivalent jobs across Canada • Education exports accounted for 23% of Canada's total service exports and 1.2% of GDP These figures underscore the vital role international students play in Canada's economic growth and global competitiveness. As we continue to welcome talented students from around the world, we're not just investing in their futures, but in Canada's prosperity as well. #InternationalEducation #CanadianEconomy #GlobalTalent https://lnkd.in/geyJ9Ypa

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Canadian International Education Shake-Up: Long Overdue? 🍁 Amidst the chaos surrounding international education, I see schools, colleges, and professionals questioning the government's recent decisions regarding the international student program. I see articles lamenting how these decisions have significantly impacted their finances—as if that’s surprising. Of course, it's going to affect your bottom line. Of course, you're unhappy. Of course, you're going to struggle. But maybe, just maybe, if you had taken preventive measures instead of being reactive, things would be different. 🤔 - How many schools had enough housing for their international students? - How many had proper international student services? - How many offered counseling or proper employment support tailored to international students? Only now, when the pressure is on, are I seeing institutions suddenly step up their game to offer better services. 🕰️ Isn’t it convenient that for so long, no matter how lacking your services were, students still came? Convenient that agents abroad filled your seats, regardless of whether they were sending the right students for your program or offering genuine advice? These changes were long overdue. It’s time for institutions to rethink and take responsibility for the role they play in shaping the experiences of international students. This isn't just about the financial fallout—it's about the lessons we can all learn from this. Let’s hope we do.

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Is Canada ready for more immigrants? Recent IRCC statistics shed light on the country's increasing need for immigrants until 2041. As an International study guidance expert, I often address inquiries about Canada's appeal to international students amid evolving discussions. Here are key insights on this pressing topic. #Canada #Immigration #InternationalStudents 🇨🇦🌏 - Recent positive changes in the study process are set to enhance students' Program, Lifestyle, and PR prospects. - Students play a pivotal role in bolstering the economy, and governments are keen on sustaining the economic momentum. - Beyond Toronto, Vancouver, Brampton, and Mississauga, job opportunities are ripe across Canada, with unemployment levels dropping from the previous year. Let's continue to monitor these developments closely and support the growth of Canada's diverse and dynamic academic landscape. 🌍 #Education #EconomicGrowth #Diversity

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$37.3 billion to overall economic activities in Canada in 2022, translating into a $30.9 billion contribution to Canada’s GDP in 2022, or 1.2% of Canada’s GDP. Long-term international students, mostly from India, accounted for 97.7% of the total spending by international students, contributing $30.3 billion to Canada’s GDP and supported 353,850 jobs. https://lnkd.in/gtP-NRQX

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Exciting News for International Students ! With recent updates from IRCC to the SDS program, there's never been a better time to consider the Duolingo English Test (DET) as your pathway to studying in Canada. As the fastest, most accessible, and affordable secure English language test, DET is designed to help you achieve your dreams without the hurdles of traditional testing. Here’s why DET is the right choice for you: ✅ Convenient & Flexible – Take the test from anywhere, anytime, without the need to travel to a test center. All you need is a computer and internet connection. ✅ Quick Results – Get your results within 48 hours, so you can move forward with your application faster. ✅ Recognized by Top Institutions – Accepted by leading universities and colleges across Canada, the DET is trusted by admissions teams to assess English proficiency reliably, securely and effectively. ✅ Affordable & Accessible – Our commitment to lowering barriers means DET is a fraction of the cost of other English tests, helping you keep your application budget in check. In today's fast-changing world, agility is key. Duolingo is prioritizing test takers giving you an inclusive, practical option to showcase your English skills and gain acceptance into Canada’s top institutions. 🎓 If you're ready to start your journey to Canada, consider the Duolingo English Test—the smarter choice for future Canadian students! #DuolingoEnglishTest #StudentDirectStream #StudyInCanada #InternationalStudents #IRCC #Education #CanadaBound #AffordableTesting #AccessibleTesting

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Exciting Update Alert! 🌟 Canada has just announced groundbreaking changes to its language testing rules for student visas and PR applications. Now, applicants have more options to showcase their language skills. Contact us to stay ahead with the latest immigration updates! 🌎🚀 Call us at 9090424222 or visit https://lnkd.in/gziU9-Vv. #CanadaImmigration #LanguageTestingUpdate #BreakingNews #CanadaUpdates #LanguageTesting #StudentVisa #PRApplications #ImmigrationUpdate #ImmigrationNews #LanguageProficiency #StayUpdated #GlobalOpportunities #immigration #valmikiimmigration

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Interesting item about how too many international students are getting business diplomas from Canadian universities and are unable to get jobs in their fields afterward. There is a misalignment in the degrees these students are getting and the majors that the Canadian economy needs. Fortunately, I do not believe it to be true of my college. I live in one of two provinces to which the Canadian government will increase the number of visas issued to international students. But, this employability of our graduates is something we must keep in mind going forward. https://lnkd.in/gxtfW_M4

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The Canadian government has finally announced the details of the new policy for International students looking to get the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). The policy is aimed at improving the job prospects for the international students. Do log in to the webinar where our senior experts are decoding the new policy for you and telling you what exactly you need to do to take advantage of this new policy. IDP Education Ltd IDP India #studyincanada #canada #pgwp #internationaleducation #studyabroad #ielts

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Fantastic insight! Focusing on student needs and creating those direct, meaningful connections is exactly what sets Student Direct apart. The personal touch makes all the difference in supporting students through this evolving landscape. Here's to more innovation and growth!🎊🥳 #Studentdirect #Northamerica #Studyincanada

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