The following International Student testimonials were gathered through voluntary end of the school year surveys.
Share your own HCDSB experience with us by email at isp@hcdsb.org.
What was your favourite experience while attending school at the HCDSB?
Crystal
“My favorite experience of attending school at the Halton Catholic DSB is that the school provided me an environment with multicultural diversity and everyone is equally respected. We created a club called Multicultural Club and had many activities. We held two Multicultural Spring Festivals which were very successful.”
Student Name: Crystal
HCDSB School: St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS
Home Country: China
Amir
“My favourite part about Notre Dame was the ability to take part in extra-curricular activities, such as STEAM and L2L Tutoring. The extra-curriculars allow me to develop my communication skills outside the classroom as well as being educated.”
Student Name: Amir K.
HCDSB School: Notre Dame CSS
Home Country: Iran
Peter
“The variety of classes, and the friendly studying atmosphere. I enjoy learning history, and religion class is my favourite subject.”
Student Name: Peter S.
HCDSB School: Assumption CSS
Home Country: China
Were you involved in any extra-curricular activities?
Emily
“I joined the L2L Tutor Program. With the help of my tutors, I managed to achieve very satisfying marks in English and later on I became a Math Tutor which provided me with a chance to pay back to the program and the school society.”
Student Name: Emily (Aijia) Y.
HCDSB School: St. Thomas Aquinas CSS
Home Country: China
Kerry
“I was a School Leadership Team Leader during the 2018-19 school year. What I enjoyed most was getting to develop my leadership and communication skills. I wanted to become a leader since I was little; I want to help as many people as I can. The Leadership Team not only helped me improve my communication skills, but also allowed me to help a lot of people.”
Student Name: Kerry X.
HCDSB School: St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS
Home Country: China
Keyas
“I [joined] the STEAM Club and luckily became an executive. I enjoyed the STEAM events, we hung out with elementary students and showed them how things work and explained things to them. I also enjoy the L2L Program, teaching others and also made friends there. I feel happy when I share what I have learned.”
Student Name: Keyas L.
HCDSB School: Notre Dame CSS
Home Country: China
Would you recommend the HCDSB to other potential International Students?
Shirley
“Yes, for sure. I think I chose the best school board that every international student should go to. All the teachers and students and school staff are very willing to help us with school life.”
Student Name: Shirley X.
HCDSB School: Notre Dame CSS
Home Country: China
Vivian
“It’s my first time in my life that I have an equal and friendly relationship with my teachers. They always help me and accept me even though I’m not a Canadian student.”
Student Name: Vivian Z.
HCDSB School: Holy Trinity CSS
Home Country: China
Kevin
“I would recommend other international students here since the courses, especially English, are quite challenging [and lay] a solid basis for future university as well as other relaxing curriculum including music, arts, and sports with dedicated teachers.”
Student Name: Kevin Z.
HCDSB School: Corpus Christi CSS
Home Country: China
Do you have any other comments related to your experience at the HCDSB?
Andres
“Attending Loyola has prepared me greatly for my post-secondary success. When I first arrived to Canada, it was a whole new culture for me, and I was able to adapt to it. Now I am going to study in Argentina, a place that I have never been before and it is going to be easier now because of my experience in Canada. Besides, nowadays globalized companies look for people that speak English fluently, and for this reason I feel happy that I got the chance to learn the language.”
Student Name: Andres
HCDSB School: St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS
Home Country: Venezuela
Harry
“It is just amazing. One of the best parts of my life.”
Student Name: Harry Y.
HCDSB School: Holy Trinity CSS
Home Country: China
Linh
“Before I came to Canada, I was very nervous about a new country and a new school. However, [my choice] to be an HCDSB International Student was a good experience in every area in the school community. I feel very happy that I chose this.”
Student Name: Linh N.
HCDSB School: Jean Vanier CSS
Home Country: Vietnam
Some student testimonials have been edited for clarity.