Mandatory Events

During the year, international students are required to attend four mandatory events. 

1. The first event is a two day Orientation Conference that takes place during the last weekend of September. This is the first time the new cohort of international students meets with the Study & Stay PEI team to go through the program for the year.
2. The second event is a One-To-One meeting between the international student and someone from the Study & Stay PEI team to review career planning, immigration pathways and participation in volunteering and cultural activities.
3. The third event is the Bridge To PEI Conference that takes place in February / March each year. The one day conference brings together a team of experts to work with international students on issues from Canadian workplace regulations, advice from Study & Stay PEI alumni on job hunting and in-depth discussions on the latest immigration policy developments.
4. The fourth event is the Graduation Ceremony that takes place at the beginning of June each year. International students receive graduation certificates and celebrate their success.

Key Competences Framework

The Key Competences Framework covers the key competences required for international students to apply for jobs on the island and complete the first steps in the immigration process. There are six components of the framework.

1. Resume & Cover Letter: guidance from human resource professionals on how to design and write a resume and cover letter for the Canadian job market. The feedback we receive from PEI employers is that international students regularly misunderstand what should go into a resume and how to write a successful cover letter which means they are not invited for an interview.
2. Interview Techniques: guidance from human resource professionals on how to prepare for a job interview and make a good impression on the day. We regularly hear from international students that the interview didn’t go well, they were surprised by the questions and were unable to pitch themselves.
3. LinkedIn Profile: guidance from a professional working at LinkedIn on how to build your profile and attract the attention of recruiters. LinkedIn profiles have become a central tool for recruiters and human resource teams looking for new talent.
4. Volunteering Workshop: guidance from the director of a volunteering association on the value / advantages of volunteering. On PEI, volunteering is a key tool in building up a network of contacts, improving your career opportunities and giving back to the community.
5. Post Graduate Work Permit – PGWP: guidance from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant on how to apply for a PGWP. This is the first step of the immigration process towards permanent residence, and it is critical to complete the application correctly especially if policies on eligibility and the duration of the permit are changing.
6. PNP – International Graduate Stream: guidance from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant on the Provincial Nomination Program and how to apply under the International Graduate Stream that is specifically designed for international students. This is the second step in the immigration process towards permanent residence and is also subject to policy changes.

Elective Sessions

International students can select from a range of different activities under the three core themes of (a) Career Support, (b) Immigration Pathways and (c) Volunteering & Cultural Activities and can also sign up for the Mentorship Program. All international students should select a minimum of four activities but there is no limit if you want to attend more.

1. Career Pathways: a large range of activities including meeting with the administrators of Job Websites to learn the inside tricks of finding the perfect job, to a meeting with the Public Service Commission on how to apply for PEI Government jobs and internships.
2. Immigration Pathways: meetings are set up with officials from IRCC, the PEI Office of Immigration and with support agencies such as the Justice Avenues program that help international students with legal immigration advice.
3. Volunteering & Culture: a large range of activities are available from Halloween pumpkin carving, coach tours of the island, attending PEI Symphony Orchestra concerts and getting involved in the local community and businesses through volunteering.

In addition to these activities, international students can sign up for the Mentorship Program. The program matches a professional working in a sector or career field on PEI that is of interest to the international student. International students should attend a minimum of four meetings with their mentor to learn about the sector and how to enter this profession.