Lakehead University is attempting to help the challenges that international students in Canada have faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

They have developed a program that focuses on making the transition for international students less challenging, now more important than ever with the pandemic.

Vice-Provost International at Lakehead University James Aldridge explains more.

“Over the summer we developed a program called the JUMP Program,” explains James Aldridge, Vice-Provost Internationale. “The program supports inbound international students by providing them with a whole bunch of orientation activities and connecting them to students who are already here of have a good understanding of Lakehead University.”

Aldridge adds, “Those supports have provided a really great foundation for arriving students, and some of those are first year to us and some of those will be students who have been with Lakehead University virtually, but have never actually been to Canada and they’re just going to be arriving in the next little while.”

The university also provides free airport pickup for international students.

Vaccinations for post-secondary students has also been heavily discussed leading into the new school year.

“Some students will arrive fully vaccinated, some will arrive with foreign vaccines, and some will arrive unvaccinated,” says Aldridge. “Once they finish quarantine, they’ll be eligible as all international students are in Canada for the local Canadian vaccines here, and we’re excited to be able to provide that.”

Aldridge is excited for the Fall, and a safe experience for all students.