The following International Student testimonials were gathered through a voluntary survey at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Share your own HCDSB experience with us by email at isp@hcdsb.org.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE THING/EXPERIENCE AT THE HCDSB?
“Having a chance to live and study in a new environment, learning about different cultures and meeting new friends from different countries, trying different kinds of new food, learning to be independent, etc.”
– Jamie (China) @ Assumption CSS
“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.”
– Crystal (China) @ St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS
“I gained lots of valuable experiences. The most favorite thing was joining the soccer team. Also I enjoyed being part of the Assumption music band. Even though my first language is not English, I got acquainted with this great community easily. Overall, every second of my life in Assumption was truly unforgettable.”
– Parsa (Iran) @ Assumption CSS
“I made a lot of friends. I love the kind and patient teachers.”
– Yurui (China) @ Corpus Christi CSS
“I can recall many favourite things/experiences that I lived while attending Loyola. One of them is being able to meet people from all around the world, such as Europeans, Asians, among other people that speak Spanish like me. Furthermore, the fact that I got to learn English and other subjects that I personally wanted, had amazing teachers and small things like having my own locker, made my whole experience very good.”
– Andres (Venezuela) @ St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS
HAS THE HCDSB PREPARED YOU FOR POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS?
“I attended St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School and I blended in the Canadian society much easier than I expected. The ESL department set at our school took their responsibility toward international students seriously and I wanna thank Ms. Celestini’s help while I was in ESL class. St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS has a direct influence to my life and my success, all the students, staff are “classic Canadians” who are polite and friendly. ‘Equality, Equity and Respect'”
– Peter (China) @ St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS
“Attending school at the HDSB prepared me well for post-secondary success. I have made new friends and met many kind teachers. These teachers gave me great help each time I needed help.”
– Dezhen (China) @ Corpus Christi CSS
“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.”
– Andres (Venezuela) @ St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS
“I learned a lot through the classes and I took courses that I’m interested in which also helps me to gain skills for the programs I wanted to take in university/college.”
– Jamie (China) @ Assumption CSS
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE HCDSB TO OTHER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?
“Yeah! Definitely I will because they care about students and always give them a lot of help!”
– Cecilia (China) @ Holy Trinity CSS
“Yeah I will. Halton Region has a very comfortable environment.”
– Yurui (China) @ Corpus Christi CSS
“Of course. I would recommend Assumption to every International Student who wants to find their success beyond their home country borders. They are organized and they care about every single student who is attending this school board. Brand new devices, great tools, admirable staff and joyful atmosphere.”
– Parsa (Iran) @ Assumption CSS
“I would recommend the HCDSB to other International Students especially Corpus Christi CSS. I really love this school. The school environment is particularly good and students are friendly. Every time I talk to the teachers in the guidance office, I don’t feel nervous at all. They will do their best to help you.”
– Dezhen (China) @ Corpus Christi CSS
“I would definitely recommend HCDSB especially St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS to other international students. You would get a fantastic high school experience with all the classmates and staff here.”
– Peter (China) @ St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS
Please note: Some student testimonials have been edited for clarity.