Université Laval, Quebec, Canada: Buddies and a big welcome ease introduction to a new country

Using the Barometer data

Université Laval in Quebec, Canada came top in the 2014 International Student Barometer (ISB) for its welcome experience.  

Nicole Lacasse, associate vice-rector for academic and international activities, states the university’s impressive ISB ranking is down to the careful attention paid to small details that help to create the overall student experience.

The university’s world-class programme to welcome international students includes:

• A buddy programme which provides international students with a personal contact before they even arrive at the university
• Free shuttle service between the airport and campus
• Opportunity to take a five-week intensive French as a Second Language course before term officially starts to help overcome any language barriers
• Welcome and integration week at the start of term
• An Orientation Lounge where students can meet resource officers and find out information on various aspects of university life
• Campus tours
• Discover Quebec programme
• Holiday sponsorship programme – international students are invited to discover more about Quebec culture by attending parties hosted by local families
• Working with Canadian banks to make it easier for international students to open accounts

International students are integral to Université Laval and Nicole Lacasse explains that their presence enriches the study experience for all students. “International students are important because of their diversity of origin. For the development of research, it is very important to have people with different basic knowledge because they look at things in different ways. It also develops a better experience in class for Canadian students and they learn how to work with people from other cultures”.

Future plans 
International students currently make up about 10% of the total number of students at Université Laval. The long term plan is to increase this to 15%.