A Voice in the Wilderness Archive

 

Families often ask us about what the international student experience is like at Shawnigan. Why do families choose to come to Shawnigan and Canada to study abroad? What are some common challenges international students face? What are some helpful tips? What are the differences in the admissions process for international students compared to Canadian students?

 

Shawnigan Lake School has international students from over 30 countries. The majority of these students come from Asia, Europe and Central America. There are a variety of reasons why an international family would look at education and a boarding experience in Canada. Canadian boarding schools offer a quality education that focuses on academics and experiential learning. Canada also has a welcoming culture, a safe environment, and beautiful natural scenery. Studying on Vancouver Island in British Columbia also offers a mild climate and clean air, and presents the opportunity to learn about Canada’s west coast.

 

The Canadian boarding experience is a major reason that families choose to come to Shawnigan Lake School. A highlight for families in the decision-making process is the nurturing, supportive and enriching environment that is offered here, both within and outside of the classroom. Coupled with a quality education, our teachers truly care about the success and development of their students. The strong and positive relationships between teachers and their students is in the true interest of teachers to see them succeed.

 

With the excitement that comes with the opportunity to come to Shawnigan often come nerves. Learning to live in a boarding house with other students can seem intimidating. With so many cultures and everyone learning to live away from home (often for the first time), students may feel nervous that their customs and way of living may be different than those around them. The magic of this is that students quickly realize that they are surrounded by so many others going through the same experience, as well as caring house staff, and by Canadian Thanksgiving (early October) students are settled in and have found the peer groups and staff members who quickly become their family away from home.

 

Another common challenge that students find difficult is the change in food. Food is a comfort for us all, so it can seem difficult (and can even give you an upset stomach) if you are trying foods and ways of cooking for the first time. This adjustment is made easier by our amazing kitchen and dining services team, who put in the extra effort to cook foods from different cultures to make students feel more at home. 

 

 

A helpful last piece of knowledge to know is that the international student admissions process isn’t all that different from a student who is applying from Canada. If you aren’t already studying at an International School, we will require students to provide results from an English proficiency test (IELTS, TOEFL, DuoLingo, etc.). Additionally, a short English assessment will be completed during your admissions interview to determine perfect placement in support classes to ensure upon your arrival that you have the necessary English support needed. This is put in place so that by the time your child enters Grade 11 and 12, they are strong enough to take rigorous academic courses that will help with the university application process and provide the best post-secondary options possible. 

 

Please click here for more information about admissions at Shawnigan Lake School.

 

 

Inter-House competition helps build community and camaraderie within the Houses, and is an excellent representation of what makes boarding life and the Shawnigan Journey special. The focus is on the competition between houses, but the deeper value comes from the spirit kindled within the Houses as students dress up in their House colours and paint their faces to match before heading out to take part in the day’s events. Spirit Captains are tasked with leading the charge at inter-House events.