While Sheridan College is firmly rooted in its central Ontario campuses, its focus has long been national – and international – in scope. Our students represent not only every walk of life, but many parts of the globe. This broad outlook has been helped, in part, by the federal government’s commitment to encouraging international students to choose Canada as their education destination.
Since 2009, the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) provides scholarships to students from Latin America and the Caribbean to continue their education in Canadian post-secondary institutions, to “support development of human capital and the next generation of leaders in the Americas while strengthening links between Canadian institutions and those in the region.”
For three students from Trinidad, their journey of choice has led to Canada, and to Sheridan.
Arminda Bailey is an aspiring animator who was able to develop her skills and abilities within Sheridan’s world-class program. According to Bailey, her first impression of Sheridan was “awe inspiring”, adding that “it has an impressive campus with useful equipment that I’ve never been exposed to before.” Citing the impact of “highly professional, but approachable staff,” Bailey says “I hope many others like me get the same chance.”
For Christy-Ann Motee, the scholarship has given her a chance to expand her studies in Early Childhood Education. As she explains, Sheridan is “giving me the opportunity to continue my studies while providing different experiences in teaching and learning styles, access to different classroom environments and last but not least, the opportunity to meet and interact with new people whom I can learn from.”
Joyelle Williams, also an Early Childhood Education student, adds her feeling that “I didn’t choose Sheridan, but Sheridan College chose me and I am honoured.” She adds that “As an old saying goes, it takes a lot of different herbs and spices to make a tasty dish and I believe that this is another added spice to make my dreams as tasty as possible.”
Both Christy-Ann and Joyelle plan to pursue graduate degrees in their field, and bring their skills and talents to the people back home. Joyelle explains that her eventual goal is to “open a children’s foundation where education and care will be provided for the less fortunate in my country free of charge.”
These three women exemplify the values of hard work and initiative that make them future leaders, both in their fields and in their nation. They also represent the kind of educational experience that Sheridan works to give all its students.
Since its inception, over 2000 ELAP scholarships have been awarded. Like these Sheridan students, each one tells a tale, of skills gained and dreams being pursued. Each of these students, and those that follow, will no doubt add proud chapters to the College’s legacy, and to the future of their communities beyond our borders.