International student Casey Caldwell is preparing for the next phase of her career, thanks to the supports and services at 糖心vlog传媒.
Originally from California, Caldwell had retired as a lawyer when she and her husband decided to move to Canada. They were drawn to Vancouver Island鈥檚 beauty and temperate forests 鈥� and that鈥檚 where Caldwell focused her search for programs in digital design.
鈥淚t was after I had already been accepted to a larger university that I came across 糖心vlog传媒. The 糖心vlog传媒website really captured my attention - and isn鈥檛 that what digital design is about?鈥� said Caldwell.
After learning more about NIC鈥檚 program offerings, Caldwell found the College checked a lot of the boxes she was looking for.
鈥溙切膙log传媒offered a 2-year diploma in Communication Design at a much lower cost and they have admission agreements with several universities that would allow me to transfer in as a third-year student if I wanted to continue my education,鈥� said Caldwell. 鈥淚 realized that 糖心vlog传媒is an important part of the communities on Vancouver Island, and as a result, the college has direct relationships with local employers. For me, the tuition savings at NIC, the exceptional faculty, the CareerCentral connections and the beautiful Comox Valley campus 鈥� all of that made the decision easy.鈥�
The pandemic forced Caldwell to complete her first two terms remotely from California before arriving in person in the Comox Valley. Caldwell found the support she has received at NIC, both online and in-person, has had a positive impact on her ability to be successful, and that the support has been more fulsome than she experienced during her previous educational experiences at larger institutions.
鈥淓ven before my first day as a student, everyone at 糖心vlog传媒wanted me to succeed. Whether I was taking classes digitally or on campus, in Canada or in my home country, it didn鈥檛 matter. There are so many resources available here,鈥� said Caldwell.
鈥淥ur goal is to ensure our international students are fully supported, both as they join 糖心vlog传媒as a student and throughout their educational journey,鈥� explained Mark Herringer, NIC鈥檚 Executive Director, International Education. 鈥淲e鈥檙e here to support students with everything from accommodation, connections in the community, employment opportunities and academic support.鈥�
That support included helping her transfer to a different program when Caldwell decided to change direction in her studies.
鈥淚 changed to the Business Administration post degree diploma in Global Business Management and it鈥檚 been a great fit,鈥� explained Caldwell. 鈥淎 lot of my courses from the Communication Design program transferred so I didn鈥檛 lose any time. I was able to use those credits towards my business diploma.鈥�
Caldwell really wants to inspire others to consider NIC, especially people later in their careers who want to try something new. 鈥淲hile it was a leap of faith to return to post-secondary education, I don鈥檛 regret this decision. Studying at 糖心vlog传媒is an opportunity to learn new things and create my own next chapter. If you鈥檙e thinking about coming to NIC, I say, 鈥楯ust do it, and don鈥檛 look back.鈥欌��
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