The Canadian business management and human resource management programs of the International Institute of Business "Zagranitsa" have been written about more than once. Our readers were interested in the training programs themselves, conversations with teachers, and candid stories from graduates. One of the highlights of the joint Ukrainian-Canadian project is the opportunity to see for yourself how business works in Canada. For this, students of the programs are given a unique chance - a six-week internship at Canadian enterprises. The business sphere can be chosen independently - hotel management, banking, municipal activities, insurance, and much more.
Upon their return, all interns gladly share their memories of an unforgettable Canadian experience. But it is interesting how Canadians perceive our compatriots? What are our strengths and weaknesses? What does this internship give our young and ambitious? And we decided to talk with representatives of the Canadian side. So, meet: our guest today is Joan CHRISTIE, coordinator of internship programs at Grant MacEwan College (Edmonton, Alberta)
- The first question is about the internship program in general and about this year's Ukrainian interns.
- It so happened that all my work for 23 years has been inextricably linked with Grant MacEwan College; I have also been involved in internship programs for quite a long time. Before my eyes, this educational institution became one of the most respected in the province of Alberta. Currently, the college is among the top five in Canada. Every year, more than 50 thousand students from various countries study there.
One of the main requirements for interns is a good knowledge of English (not lower than intermediate, or better - upper intermediate). In addition, certain funds are needed - to pay for airfare, accommodation, and food. And not every Ukrainian company where our graduates work is ready to let its employee go for such a long time. We, in turn, accommodate everyone who wishes, so almost anyone can go.
In total, during the duration of the joint programs with the International Institute of Business, about 40 Ukrainian students have completed internships in Canada. This year, six more of our graduates visited Canada: three people who completed the business management program, and three "first swallows" - graduates of the "Human Resource Management" program.
- What does an internship in Canadian companies give foreigners?
- I would say this: an internship, especially when interns represent another country, is a mutually beneficial process. A person learns the laws of Canadian business in practice, learns to see the work of the entire company as a whole, because they communicate with a variety of employees, from ordinary workers to top managers and owners. And for a Ukrainian student, this is also an opportunity to really feel like an employee of a Canadian bank or a government department, or even just an ordinary Canadian company. For a young specialist, this is a kind of challenge, a test of one's own professional level in the context of world standards. For the company, it is a chance to feel significant, even to "tighten up" a bit, to develop new communication skills in its employees. And how intense the cross-cultural exchange is!
- What impressions do our interns have of the six weeks spent at Canadian enterprises?
- I remember how one graduate of the first programs kept exclaiming: "Can you imagine, everything happens exactly as we were taught in class!" For her and other interns, this was the main thing - to see everything with their own eyes and take part in the real business processes of a Western company. Everyone also gladly notes that it was easy to communicate with Canadian colleagues, that Canadians are friendly and open.
- What would you say about our graduates?
- Since I am an optimist, I will start with positive qualities. Ukrainian interns are excellently prepared in their chosen specialization, ambitiously in a good way. They strive to get the maximum from the internship. Representatives of our business note their high level of general erudition, good knowledge of computer technology.
As for shortcomings, perhaps the most serious is not fluent enough command of the English language. This is especially important when there is daily business communication at the enterprise. In addition, professional terminology is often incomprehensible to our compatriots: in Ukraine and Canada, some terms sound differently, and a simple literal translation is not enough; you need to delve into the linguistic specifics of this industry. I would also include some stiffness, tightness, especially in the first days. Ukrainian interns sometimes are afraid to ask questions, either being embarrassed by their imperfect knowledge of the language, or not wanting to seem slow-witted. I always set students up to ask about everything - after all, they are here for that.
- You came to Kyiv for the ceremony of solemn presentation of diplomas to graduates, among whom are your interns. Tell me, what impression did you have of Kyiv and this solemn moment?
- This is my second visit to Kyiv. I first visited Ukraine four and a half years ago, also coming for a graduation. During this time Kyiv has changed a lot: traffic has increased, large construction has unfolded, English is often heard on the streets. It seems to me that the Ukrainian economy is now seeing positive shifts. As for meeting our trainees, it is a very exciting event! For many years I have been communicating with Ukrainian students and get true pleasure from it. It is gratifying to see what qualitative changes are happening in their lives: someone started their own business, someone moved to a larger company or got a promotion at their previous job. Studying on the Ukrainian-Canadian programs developed in them a valuable quality - the ability to set long-term goals and confidently move towards them. I always feel excitement when I meet our trainees - it is so pleasant to realize that in their successes there is also a share of your labor.