total care® in action

Total Care Education®

in Action

TOTAL CARE EDUCATION® in Action

At Columbia International College, we pride ourselves on the effective delivery of our unique Total Care Education System®. For over 35 years, we have committed ourselves to nurturing the whole student by providing a safe and comfortable environment that permits the students to concentrate on their studying and live stress-free. Total Care Education® maximizes students’ potential and develops them into people of distinguished character.

We are passionate about student success and we design programs and activities to go above and beyond in order to ensure they go higher than they think possible. Total Care Education® instills students to seek, strive and succeed, and we aim to do the same ourselves.

Above all, every member of our staff takes pride in our Total Care Education® philosophy. Here, we provide a glimpse on their actions and implementations.

Mr. Clement ChanPresident and Executive Director

Total Care Education® In ActionWhat is Total Care Education System®?Total Care Education System® is designed to provide international students with a superior, all-rounded education that is carried out in a comprehensive, total-care environment and addresses physical, emotional, and character development needs.

The Total Care Education® has only one mission – to help students to go higher and achieve success by bringing out their full potential.

Total Care Education® is an education that is offered at only one place in the world – Columbia International College.

Created in 1979 by the Founder of Columbia International College, Total Care Education® was perfected in the past 35 years and has become one of North America’s most successful education systems for international students.

Why is Total Care Education® the best education international students?When coming to a foreign country to study, a youngster faces many challenges and frustrations, some are as basic as daily living needs, language barrier, establishing new friends, and loneliness for being away from home. Parents who send their children abroad to study also have special needs and expectations. For instance, they worry about their child’s safety, their everyday living needs, their health, and their dreams of entering top universities

Columbia International College recognizes fully the Academic, Social, Emotional and Physical (ASEP) needs these

young students have when studying abroad. The school also understands the kinds of worries and expectations of the parents. In turn, to meet the needs of the parents and their children, CIC’s Total Care Education® comprises of four major components: Total Learning, Total Living, Total Development and Total Communication.

By addressing these major developmental aspects of a child, and having 340 devoted professional staff and teachers, Total Care Education® is the best and the most comprehensive education an international student receives when studying abroad.

How is Total Care Education® put into action?Total Care Education System® is a guiding principle for our mission and vision at Columbia International College. It is a simple statement for all our staff, old and new, to understand the direction we take in caring for our students who come from thousands of miles away and grow up with us instead of their parents.

Every member of every team understands our goal -student success- and is committed to the effective delivery of this goal. With clear roles identified and recognition of the interdependencies among our organization, all our departments collaborate their efforts to focus on the students’ personal and academic well-being during the entirety of their journey at CIC.

Through regular best-practice workshops, monthly training and semi-annual strategic planning sessions, all staff members are reminded of the reasons for executing our

Total Care Education®. Everyone working at our academic buildings and in our residences understand the purpose of providing an effective system to best help our students succeed at CIC, during their university studies, and in life beyond.

Details on how we apply Total Care Education® to each of these stages will appear at the later part of this book.

What does Total Care Education® deliver?The success of the Total Care Education® is unprecedented. Year after year, we have:• the largest number of admissions to top universities

in Canada, and• the largest amount of scholarships awarded.

For the past 35 years, our unmatched success has earned the trust of 100,000 parents who enroll their children in our school. In turn, Columbia International College grew to become the largest boarding school in North America.

These amazing achievements would not have happened without the devotion and the professionalism of our staff and teachers.

So, on this occasion of our 35th Anniversary, I would like to sincerely thank all the past and present staff members who contributed to the effective delivery and successful implementation of our Total Care Education System® at Columbia International College.

Mr. Jim CampbellGeneral Manager

An Evolving SystemSince 1979, our system of Total Care Education® has gone through many changes yet has still maintained student success as its core objective.

The Pioneers Years (1979-1988) In the early years of Columbia, we remained focused on developing our core concepts and procedures. This included formalizing our student life expectations and areas of interest. These critical years allowed us to build our credibility while increasing student enrollment and the size of our faculty.

Growth Years (1988-2000) From 1988 to 2000 our school grew significantly. We acquired our own properties on Main Street West, diagonally across from McMaster University. These years of action saw the opening of two new residences, Oak and Linden; a move to a new location for teaching, Maple Building; the construction of a second academic building, Ainsliewood; and the acquisition of a 700 acre leadership and outdoor education centre, Bark Lake.

Strategic Years (2000-2014) Increasing student enrollment gave us confi dence that our Total Care Education System® was meeting the needs of parents and students. To accommodate the ever-growing student population, three new residences were built, Pine Boys, Arkledun and Pine Girls; and our main Ainsliewood academic building underwent two major expansions in 2012 (South Wing) and 2013 (Front Offi ces and Art Rooms). During this phase, we were visualizing and proactively preparing for our future.

As we enter our 35th year, we are celebrating a new phase in our history. We are continuing to evolve our Total Care Education System® to keep up with the expectations and demands of today’s students and their parents. We hired

Total Care Education® Through Time professional help to solidify our Character Education program and we built measurements to assist our students to understand their own ASEP needs. We are committed to providing the best facilities, academic programs and extracurricular activities that make the Columbia experience a valuable one for both the students and their parents.

Our work, like our Total Care Education System®, is continuously improvement as stated in our Mission statement and we are looking forward to dealing with the triumphs and challenges that lie ahead for us over the next 35 years and beyond.

Columbia International CollegeOrganizational Chart

Executive Director

Academic

Principal

Senior School Teaching Faculty

Junior Middle School Teaching Faculty

Admissions

Campus Safety

Maintenance Department

Meal Services

Property Manager

Sodexo Management

Food service Director

Site Managers

Information Technology

Admissions Manager

Financial Service Manager

Financial ServiceAcademic Adminstration Office

Safety Coordinator

IT Manager

Student andParent Liaison

Head of Senior School

Department Heads

OverseasOffices Liaison

External Testing Office

Head ofGuidance

University Placement

Coordinator

University PlacementOffice

Young ASEP

AchieversAcademic Support

Visa Renewal

Passport Renewal Director of

StudentAffairs

Leadershipand

Community Service

AssistantResidenceDirectors

Medical Clinic

Nurses

Residence MediaProduction

Head of Junior Middle School

Department ofStudent Development

Director of Student Development

Coordinators

Marketing and Recruitment

Special Events Summer Camp

Guidance Office

AthleticsCounselling

Applications

Directorof

Operations

AccountingDepartment

College Store

Student Life

& Activities

Custodianship

Custodianship

House Keeping

General Manager Liaison Director

Administration Liaison

Human Resources

Coordinator

Mr. Ron RambarranPrincipal

A Reflection on our Total Care Education System® over the past 35 years I would like to spend some time refl ecting on Columbia International College’s (CIC) history of the Total Care Education System®. As a staff member who has been with the College for more than 34 years, I hope that I can give the reader an insight into the genesis and evolution of Total Care Education®. Both CIC’s founder, Mr. Clement Chan, and I came to Canada as international students and experienced fi rst-hand the adjustment issues all such students face. I believe that these experiences gave us the insight and drive to provide the best possible care for international students – Total Care Education®.

The BeginningIn 1980, the groundwork was laid for what would later be known as our Total Care Education System®. Our fi rst Student Council (at the West 16th – the Mohawk Trail School - location) asked if they could initiate a lunch service. Many of the students who came to us at that time lived independently as we had yet to provide residence services. Student Council recognized that many students did not prepare a lunch to bring to school and moved to fi ll a physical need. This was approved and students like Roger Tong would walk each day to the corner of Garth and Mohawk to purchase buns, cold cuts and chocolate milk at the local deli. They would then take these to the lunch area and prepare sandwiches which were sold at a nominal cost to students. Student Council used this money to improve the lunch service to benefi t all students. This was our fi rst step towards Total Care Education®.

Total Care Education® evolved from this time onwards to fill academic, social, emotional, and physical needs. From 1980 to 1995 we added residences to take care of students’ accommodation needs, food services (Sodexo) and medical services to take care of students’ physical needs, and counselling services to help with social and emotional needs.

An EvolutionPrincipal Emeritus Mr. Harold Mills wrote in 1995 that “Total Care Education® was a progressive and yet deliberate plan to provide students with the best opportunities for academic success while studying at Columbia”. Prophetically he also wrote that “as the years go by there will be modifications to the concept that will improve the product and its delivery”. Almost 20 years later Total Care Education® has changed to include not only academic success at Columbia, but also success in university and in life after university. What drove this change?Right from the start, Total Care Education® was driven by the needs of our students and parents. We listened to our students and parents and we carefully studied the needs of different generations of students. Over the past 35 years we have helped three generations of students, generation X, generation Y, and generation Z. Each of these generations had unique strengths and needs and Total Care Education® evolved to meet these needs.

As a snapshot, Generation X students (those born from 1966-76) were senior high school students characterized by a drive to succeed and to get into university. They were very focused on their academic success and needed little guidance and help. Total Care Education® for them meant safe residences, meals, and academic support and guidance

when needed. Their primary need was academic help and university placement help.

Generation Y students (those born between 1977-1994) were much more ethnically diverse and we saw a rise in the number of female students coming to CIC. Total Care Education® had to meet their need for separate residences, better technology (Internet, Cable TV, better computers) and a higher level of sophistication and diversity in their food tastes. We also saw a rise in the number of younger students coming to CIC and Total Care® answered by providing better supervision and after-school activities in both school and residences.

Generation Z students (those born from 1995-2012) are true digital natives. This is the generation that is very much at home online but who have some difficulty relating face- to-face. Their needs include the art of socialization and Total Care Education® responds by providing increased opportunities for social-emotional learning. They were shaped by one the most severe economic recessions in history yet rarely knew hunger or need. They are more willing to seek and to accept counselling to deal with social–emotional issues and Total Care® responds by increasing all levels of counselling both within the school and the community.

Adapting to ChangeIn addition to meeting the needs of three different generations, Total Care Education® had to adapt over the past 35 years to meet the needs of students from an increasing number of countries. When Total Care Education® was first introduced, we had students from a handful of countries. Today we have students from more than 70

countries. When we consider that at any given time we have 2-3 generations of students from more than 70 countries, the reader can appreciate the ever changing nature of Total Care Education®. Total Care Education® today is focused more and more on meeting the academic-social-emotional-physical needs of students, students who are adjusting to a variety of family situations and environmental changes.

Columbia’s Total Care Education System® responds to the strengths and needs of all students and will continue to change and evolve to meet the needs of the next generations of students. While I might have created the perception that the Total Care Education System® is an object, it is far from that. It is the sum total of all the effort put into caring for our students by staff in all departments, from the time of admission to graduation and acceptance into university. Is it a perfect system? No. Do we constantly strive to improve it? Absolutely.

T

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T L

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Total Care® from Admission to Graduation

6 7

Admissions and Liaison

University Placement

Counsellors

Residence Staff Student Development

Staff

Academic Staff Guidance Counsellors

1 2 3 54

Total Care® Team

Admissions and LiaisonStaff members initiate student success by understanding their ASEP needs and monitoring their overall development in school and in residence. They also communicate student progress to parents.

Total Care® from Admission to Graduation

1

Dorette JosephAdmission Manager

AdmissionsStarts the process of personalized care with our applicants

Total Care in Action @ Admissions

Total Care Education® is about ensuring the success of every student who attends Columbia International College. Total Care Education® starts from the submission of applications and ends when students graduate and leave CIC. Through continuous communication and collaboration with students and parents, our dedicated admissions staff provides personalized and timely care to our students.

Focus is placed on providing students with a smooth transition to their new environment and ensuring their arrival is stress-free. The Admissions staff arranges travel documents, airport pickups, study permits, residence accommodations, registration and orientation, all while monitoring their academic performance and emotional well-being. Due to the various backgrounds and cultures of our students and their parents, we provide a wide-range of culturally sensitive educational services tailored to meet their specific needs.

The Admission Department provides much more than just logistical planning. We encourage students to be proactive in their studies. We provide academic and personal counselling to students when they need a friend to talk to, or to confide in. We take an interest in their personal and academic lives and take time out of our schedules to connect with them. Because of the bond we form with students before they arrive, most students are more comfortable talking to us and often request that we speak with their parents on their behalf.

By finding time to speak with each of our students, we help them develop an emotional maturity which enables them to take responsibility for their own actions.

Our Admissions Department helps students take their first step towards success.

Admissions Department

Admissions Manager Dorrette Joseph

Sr. Admissions Officer Janet AraPriscilla Tamaklo

Admissions Officer Marina RosasAlison Foster

Junior Admissions OfficerPeggy Andam Itxel Castro-Soto

Ping TseLiaison Director

LiaisonProvides peace of mind to students and parents through Total Communication

Total Care in Action @ Liaison

Student Support and Student SuccessAs part of Columbia International College’s unique Total Care Education System®, the Liaison Department is responsible for total communication between the school, parents and students.

Liaison Officers are committed staff who bridge distances, between parents at home and students abroad. Right from the beginning of the students’ journey, we provide regional meetings to ensure that each new student has a good understanding of their new learning and living environment to ensure a smooth transition. We help the students overcome language and cultural barriers while providing academic and personal support. During their studies, we partner with other school departments to help engage students and guide them in reaching their future goals. We are happy to help new students find help inside our school or in our community when they first arrive until they graduate. We derive great joy when we see them graduate from their studies and come away with offers and scholarships from the university of their choice.

Communication with Parents Liaison Officers are the primary point of contact for parents, providing information on their child’s individual study plan and academic, social, emotional and physical performance and development. We understand the parents’ culture and language. Every day, we are ready to communicate with parents via phone, email, Skype and instant messages in their first language. We understand the concerns of parents and we are happy to facilitate communication to give them peace of mind.

Event Coordination Total Care Education® in event coordination provides students with unforgettable experiences. Summer Camp, Graduation and any other special events are courtesy of the Liaison team. We ensure that every event is a memorable one for our students and we strive to create memories that will last a lifetime.

#MediaTeam @CIC_totalcare As the creative team behind CIC, we keep students informed on all happenings ranging from school events to academic timelines via our social media platforms, school blog, TV messages throughout the school and residences and much more.

We provide Total Care Education® by engaging students in the school and local community. We encourage student participation and make information easily accessible to ensure they are always connected to student life. All members of the Liaison team are profoundly aware of students’ needs and their parents’ expectations. We are dedicated to ensuring the successful delivery of our Total Care Education System® in any way that we can.

Our Liaison Department links parents, students and the school together to work towards success

Liaison Department

Liaison DirectorPing Tse

Assistant to the Executive DirectorSamantha Malek

Student Coordinator Zhen (Jane) Liu

Senior Liaison Officer Julia Abdoullaeva Julianna GiancarloJoon (Paul) Yoo

Liaison Officer Brad CookChao (Frances) Deng Paolo EmiliLan GaoYan (Emily) GaoWanLian (Julia) GuoRobin HudsonHui (Harvey) JiangChen-Ling (Bianca) Lai

Yan NiePaula TrainorPei-Tsung (Norman) WuCong (Kitty) Zhou Rui (Jacky) Zhou

Junior Liaison Officer Shuang (Cherry) Cui Kaiqi (Frank) Zhang

Guidance Counsellors Assess student’s strengths, formulate their blueprint for success, and guide them to meet their goals by conducting ASEP assessments and formulating their Personalized Success Plan (PSP).

2Total Care® from Admission to Graduation

Renuka ArunHead of Guidance

GuidanceGives students guidance, compassion and understanding using Total Care®

Total Care in Action @ Guidance

“As a member of our Total Care Education® team, we strive for excellence in the delivery of guidance counselling to serve the Academic, Social, Emotional and Physical aspects of each and every student while fostering their self-esteem, self-confidence and unique strength in academic achievements. Our department is dedicated to guide the students to succeed from the beginning to the end of their journey at CIC.” - Renuka Arun, Guidance Department Head

“Total Care Education® means delivering a valuable and outstanding learning experience. It thrives on character development and a strong commitment to enhance the overall personal growth of our students for their success in life.” - Suzanne Garell, Guidance Counsellor

“Total Care Education® guides our holistic approach. As a member of the team, I facilitate the growth and development of each and every individual student on their journey to success.” - Becky Zhang, Guidance Counsellor

“Total Care Education® involves developing our awareness of our students’ cultures and being able to correctly assess an individual student’s point of view and provide assistance accordingly.” - Sophia Szoke, Guidance Counsellor

“Total Care Education® through Guidance is characterized by holistic counselling that tends to the Academic, Social, Emotional, and Physical needs of students as they set forth on a successful path for post-secondary education.” - Michael Milasincic, Guidance Counsellor

“As a Guidance Counsellor, I provide Total Care Education® by advocating on behalf of students in order to enhance the overall quality of their learning and living experience here at CIC.” - Grace Yang, Guidance Counsellor

“For me, Total Care Education® means providing a personalized academic support program to students who are looking for that extra assistance needed to maximize their potential. I believe that academic support can boost the students’ academic confidence, which will have a positive impact on their social, emotional and physical well-being.” - Jing Qing, Tutoring Coordinator

“The Guidance team works in close cooperation and communication with each other and the rest of the CIC community to address the ASEP needs of students.” - Prasanthika Perera, Student Services Officer, Guidance

“Total Care Education ® is an extremely collaborative and communicative process whereby the Guidance team works closely together with the rest of the CIC community to aid in both proactive and responsive manners in addressing the ASEP needs of students. As Guidance Counsellors, we strive to enhance student strengths with support and encouragement, and nurture their trials and tribulations with compassion and a true sense of understanding.The Guidance Department equips students with a greater knowledge of themselves and an understanding of how they can successfully shape their future.” - Renuka Arun, Guidance Department Head

Our Guidance Department guides students to achieve success every step of their way at CIC.

Head of Guidance and Academic SupportRenuka Arun

Tutoring CoordinatorJing Qing

Guidance CounsellorBecky ZhangGui Fang YangMichael MilasincicSuzanne GarellSophia Szoke

Student Services OfficerPrasanthika Perera

Guidance Department

The Academic Staff Provides North American teaching methodology and learning styles to prepare students for success in their university studies.


Tim PuttHead of Senior School

Senior SchoolProvides our students with the best total learning to go higher

Total Care in Action @ Senior School

Our Total Care Education System® guides everything we do in the Senior School at Columbia International College. Our goal is to ensure that every student receives the very best educational experience not only here but in university and life beyond.

We strive to build strong personal connections with our students. We recruit the most professional and talented teachers to bring out the best in our students. Our Guidance Counsellors set up a customized learning pathway to ensure students are prepared academically for the university program of their choice.

We connect parents to their child’s school experience through our on-line reporting system and Liaison and Admissions advisors. Our parents can access detailed information about their child’s experience.

At CIC we balance academics with a total life experience through our Student Development Department and we prepare our students to live away from home through our residential program.

Ultimately, Total Care Education® means building personal capacity in every student ensuring they are monitored, supported, connected and challenged for future success beyond Columbia International College.

Our Senior School maximizes every student’s full capacity for success.

Department HeadAndrew Milne ScienceBert Susin Social ScienceDaniela Markuc MathNancy Baker EnglishRenuka Arun BusinessJeremy Galea ESL

Teacher Alexandra ZourntosAlice PivniceruAmerjeet UbhiAndrea MaleluAnn Majerovich Carmen StoryCarolyn ConwayCatherine Hawkins

Dale Lee Dana Pasca-HossuDavid McKayDevin TonelliDorothy WhiteErica ClarkeGordon Sheridan Heather Tremble In Hoe (Ben) Koo Iuliu Pasca-Hossu Jack Kam Cheong Chow James Fitzpatrick James Lawlis James Royce James SeoJeff AndersenJeffrey Bodden Jela Kreso

Jessica SavelliJohan Hendrik de ZoeteKatherine ChuKristina NedelkaKyle NucciarelliLeonard ForteLeslie Klodt Lucille LanzaLuyun Qiao ZhongMaria AthanasiouMaria KhalidMark MinnitiNadia BechtoldNatalie Hughes Nicole PhillipsNinela Mrkonjic Olga CordeiroOlga Ward

Paul KnoxPaulina WalkerPauline Olthof-Youn Peizhen Zhao Peter Shaw Rameez Sheikh Rena George Robert Puttock Roger Ferreira Ryan Bacon Sarah Carusi Satheeskumar Nadarajah Shannon Simpson Sibel Erbas Tania Costa Teodoru Gugoiu Tim Luymes

Vojin Stefancic Wendy Porritt Hendry Yung Kim Zulekha (Julie) Susiwala

Tutor Akosua AndamAlokkumar ChakrabartiArvind Kumar Asif Mohammad Atinder Bharaj Ayobami Balogun Bonita Towell Brandon MacLeod Cong Hui Guo Eileen Neale-AttzsEllier Leng

Fiona Meng Yen To Hanyang (Kevin) Hong Jacqueline Jackson Jennifer LecluseJennifer Oraham Jing Chen John O’Carroll Jonathan Yau Kanagasingham Ahilan Kyle Green Loganathapillai Jeyanathan Maria Rusic Michael Vaz Michele Burke Mohammad Yusuf Malik Olusegun Dada Qi Gao Rolando Mateo

Shauna Leeson Sherry Du Tian Yang Tijana Boskovic Tina Tang Ting (Betty) Bei Uzoaku Ngonadi Weizhe (Wayne) Chen Yudong Liu

ACTS Instructor Joshua Davies-BowleyRobert ShortillRyan DearStephen LaingThomas Granus

Teaching Faculty and Tutors

Denice Garell-TetiHead of Junior Middle School

Junior Middle SchoolGives character development and academic skills for a total foundation

Head of Junior Middle SchoolDenice Garell-Teti

Junior Middle School TeacherKrystal KoniorNicholas Kai Pun WongRebecca WillisonJames LawlisJennifer OrahamMichele BurkeMaria Khalid

Administrative AssistantPatricia Doric

Junior Middle School

Total Care in Action @ Junior Middle School

Total Care Education® for our Junior-Middle School (JMS) means embracing the needs of our youngest students using a coordinated and integrated approach by a team of dedicated staff at school and in the residence. It is the academic excellence provided by our teachers to lay foundations for learning at the high school level. It means supporting and nurturing the physical, social and emotional growth and well-being of our young students. Total Care Education® extends to students an opportunity to discover new interests and experiences.

Total Care Education’s® multilingual liaison staff helps young people make positive adjustments to the new living and learning environments at Columbia International College and in Canada. It also seeks to serve parents by communicating with them and assuring them of their child’s well-being.

The circle of care created through our Total Care Education System® nurtures the whole child and puts their overall academic and physical wellness at the centre of their educational experience, thus reassuring parents of their child’s progress.

As members of the Junior-Middle School, we are privileged to be a part of Columbia’s Total Care Education® team. It is a rewarding experience to work closely with a unique team of people who are all fully committed to providing our young students with the best learning experience.

Our Junior Middle School lays the holistic foundation for junior students’ future success.

Head of ESL Jeremy Galea

ESL Teacher Bradley Crawford Carol Gough Dagmar StroblDana LopatnyukDavid Tertula Dawn Fallon Diana Karan Erika Green Gayle Ekanem Iwona Mroz James Chen Jennifer Oraham Kenneth Van Abbema Krist Hayes Mary-Jane Toal

Natalia Inozemtseva Nina Elchuk Renata MilicevicRenata KvaskovaRob Shorthill Shamini Jacob Stefanie Achkewich Stefanie Billeci Teresa Galluzzo Xu (Sunny) Wan

Jeremy GaleaHead of ESL

ESL Acquires English skills in a supportive and creative environment

Total Care in Action @ ESL

While all students have their individual needs, English Language Learners have additional challenges due to the language difficulties they experience. Our ESL teachers address not only the academic language skills students require in order to advance in their future courses, but also the social language skills that students need in order to be successful with English.

With regards to academics, Total Care Education® means taking into consideration the various experiences and skill sets that students bring with them into the classroom. Care goes into creating meaningful lessons for students, while addressing the course expectations as determined by the Ministry of Education. Total Care Education® also includes offering students extracurricular academic support, class extension, computer lab and evening residence tutorials, all of which are free to students and designed to address the different difficulties they face.

ESL students are also aided in understanding the culture of the English language as well as the other cultures that are represented in the classroom. Facilitating cross-cultural cooperation through the shared goal of improving one’s language skills is another goal of the ESL teachers in their deliverance of Total Care Education®. In short, Total Care Education® in the ESL department means being patient, supportive and creative in helping students with their acquisition of English. We strive to create the right conditions and opportunities for students to explore the language and develop the skills they need in order to achieve their goals.

Our ESL Department teaches English skills for success at two levels – academically and socially in the western world.

ESL Department

Elizabeth NagyHead of Academic Office

AcademicOfficeBrings all components of Total Care® together

Academic OfficePrincipalRonald Rambarran

Head of Senior SchoolTimothy Putt

Administrative Assistant to the Principal Sherry Thompson

Head of Academic Officer Elizabeth Nagy Student Services Officer Brenda TaggartLeah JuarezLaurie Cover Erzsebet BiroSerita Pereira

Total Care in Action @ Academic OfficeTotal Care Education® is a unifying umbrella bringing together all departments to work together to achieve a common goal - creating well-rounded students who successfully complete their education, enter a top-ranked university and who thrive in life.

The Heart of Columbia Often referred to as the heart of Columbia, the Academic Office is a key location for students, staff and parents alike. As one of the first points of contact for students and guests, the Academic Office plays a large role in dispensing academic and administrative information. Along with providing administrative leadership and logistical support, our office supports students by distributing student reports, enforcing policies and addressing general questions and concerns.

For us, Total Care Education® looks after the well-being of the whole student. Our office is a place of comfort where we always make time to listen to students and offer advice. Students find solace in coming to the Academic Office and talking to our staff to release pressures and stresses of their everyday lives.

We make it a priority to celebrate student success and offer encouragement to those who need it. We believe in each student’s potential and do our part to help them maximize their strengths and achieve more than they thought possible by delivering Total Care Education®.

Our Academic Office realizes our students’ potential and celebrates their success.

Michelle EavesRegistered Nurse

Medical ClinicAssists students in living a healthy lifestyle, physically and emotionally

Medical ClinicRegistered NurseAthena HacheMichelle Eaves Brittney Laird Marilyn Mclaughlin

Student Services OfficerGrace XiTheresa Nip

Total Care in Action @ Medical ClinicWe deliver Total Care Education® using a holistic approach. We believe a student’s emotional well-being is just as important as their physical well-being. As such, we believe that in order to be successful, the student must be in an environment where they thrive physically and emotionally. This is why our care extends beyond physical ailments- we treat students for everything ranging from the common cold to tips for living a healthy lifestyle.

Customized CareThe unique environment at Columbia International College allows for close relationship between staff and students to be formed. Students familiarize themselves with the Medical Staff and feel that they are cared for on a deeper level then a standard health care provider.At the Medical Clinic, we strive to create a warm, safe and reliable environment allowing students to share any concern that they might have.

Circle of CareAs a vital link in the Total Care Education’s® Circle of Care program, we work collaboratively with residence staff, teachers, and administration to ensure that we are properly addressing students emotional, physical and medical needs. We believe that exceptional care is all encompassing and are committed to helping students live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. We put CARE into Total Care Education®.

Our Medical Clinic attends to students’ well-being to ensure success.

The Student Development Staff Provides opportunities for students to learn leadership and achieve academic excellence through character building. Based on their ASEP needs, staff will steer students to build confi dence and character values designed for a balanced lifestyle of academic and personal success.


Cathy CheeranjieHead of Student Development

Student DevelopmentPrepares students to become responsible global citizens through character building and self-discovery

Total Care in Action @ Student Development

In the Student Development department, we dedicate our time to developing students into global citizens by following the Total Care® philosophy. Our fun and outgoing team sees the uniqueness and potential in each student. We challenge each and every one of our students to step out of their comfort zone - physically, socially and emotionally - by becoming involved in our extra-curricular programming.

Top 10 Ways We Contribute to Student Success:10. We create customized plans for each student to help them develop their skills.

9. We foster skill development through clubs, athletics, and community service projects. 8. We offer over 60 after-school and extracurricular clubs to students, allowing them to explore their interests, and

develop new ones. 7. We promote diversity and celebration of cultures by holding unique school events such as International Fashion Shows

and International Cuisine Series Dinners. 6. We develop leaders through our leadership programs in school and at Bark Lake. 5. We advocate for hands-on learning by taking students on trips around the city and experiencing some of Canada’s

most popular destinations. 4. We encourage them to participate in school life, thereby creating bonds and friendship to last a lifetime. 3. We educate students on the importance of giving back to the community. 2. We teach students to practice our 10 key character traits. 1. We give them the skills and knowledge needed to become responsible global citizens.

These opportunities in experiential learning help to nurture young men and women while pushing themselves to accomplish goals and make a positive difference in the local and global community.

Our Student Development builds confidence and instills character values in students for their life-long success.

Head of Student DevelopmentCatherine Cheeranjie

Student Life CoordinatorBrandon Lewis

Leadership and Community Service CoordinatorCourtney Cuthbert

Athletics CoordinatorFreddy Velazquez

Assistant CoordinatorErind Hametaj Michelle LamanYun (Melissa) Zhang

Activities InstructorAbla TsoluAndrea FerroniBobbi BrakeChristopher Vander DeenDamir VinceticDavid BodaDenise BentumElizabeth Robertson Erin BaxterJacqueline StirlingJames Cuthbert John Mahaffey

Joshua CoutureKareem FerreiraKathleen HillMary (Lue) MahaffeyNick Wong Kai PunTyler AglorSydney Singh

Student Development Department

ResidenceResidence staff members nurture students’ independent living skills to meet their ASEP needs while providing students with a safe and stress-free environment.


Shaoshan YuDirector of Student Affairs

ResidenceProvides Total Care® in a safe andstress-free environment

Andreea VrabrieDirector of Residence Operations

Total Care in Action @ Residence

Total Care Education in Action @ Residence For the Residence Department, Total Care Education® means providing students with a total living environment that offers students a safe and secure home-away-from-home that fosters their Academic, Social, Emotional and Physical needs. Our aim is to create an environment that is personified by good communication. In order to achieve this, as soon as students arrive, the residence staff builds a solid rapport with students, making them feel they can communicate with us without apprehension. Total Care Education® is not just about providing the basics for students through usual practices and standards, it is about providing a community and space for students to grow, enjoy their international exchange, and feel confident on their personal and academic journey.

Easing the Transition Period Total Care Education® starts with our Houseparents, all of whom are warm, friendly, approachable, caring, passionate, fair, honest and dedicated individuals. Our Residence staff provides around-the-clock care and customer service to our students, ensuring all their needs, questions or concerns are being met and taken care of.

Starting from their arrival, we assist students’ transition to their new living environment in residence. As students are successfully guided through this transition period and well instructed on practical life and social skills along the way, their emotional and social skills develop into greater maturity. These successes enable students to advance their abilities to live independently and contribute to their lifelong goals.

Residence Life In order to achieve student success, Residence staff must ensure that each student is taking steps in their everyday life which would positively compliment their school life.

Our residence activities and residence programming further help develop students’ ASEP needs by encouraging them to connect with, and support, one another. Within the Total Care Education® environment, we train, mentor and educate students to become responsible global citizens. We give students the confidence they need to continue their education while working in conjunction with other departments to identify and respond to their individual needs. By coming to work every day with genuine concern and respect for our students, we are contributing to their Total Care Education®.

Our Residence Department nurtures success in independent living in a safe environment.

Residence Director Andreea VrabieShaoshan Yu

Assistant Residence DirectorCatherine WalshChristyne Taschuk John Le Lucy Beardwood Mischa BakerNazia HudaReyad Al-TaieTien Ru

Student Services Officer - ResidenceArlene FinleyCarolyn DowallHualing LeiJennifer MestreMin (Mindy) WangRubi Casado PenaShauna Leeson

Residence MonitorAshley LesterBocheng HuCamille HolmesCassandra Okedoye

Courtney GibbonsCharmaine AbeysekaraDon Reginald (Reggie) JayasuriyaFrank NadeauGoran Mihajlovic Hugh WallaceJon HalsbandKarla BakerLiang (Simon) Zhang Marcela SarmientoNikkita McEvoyRose GalanoSachith (Lucky) PathiranaSandor (Alex) MezeiShantha Hetti

KankanamageZhong Yi (Joey) Li

Houseparent Ashley Joseph-YoungBeatrice NdalambaCory ScottCarly HolmesDarren CrouseDiane McMahonGreg SteinbachHamdi FarahJames CraigJin LiJonathan Paul

KePan (Kris) GaoLeanne KamelLily LamarcheLina RekielLing LiuLombardo LemusMarlee OlsonMartin MaynardMike WallaceMin (Judy) GuMontathar AbbasNathan KoppNikki WierQizhi (Ashley) JiaRong (Yvonne) Huang

Samina Mateen ZubairiShawn TownsendShin-On (Devin) KimShyamalee RandeniSophia ColeyZhi-Yi (Stan) Li

Oncall Residence SupportAbida BegumAndrew RansomeAmanda AmmonAshan JamesKylah HeffernanLin Lin

Patricia AboagyePing QianPretty SibandaQiang HaoSeunghye (Sue) YangShelley NabertSteve ChaseYanni GaoWilliam Vanraes

Residence Department

University Placement CounsellorsCommunicate with top ranked university representatives and advocate admission opportunities on the students’ behalf. They guide and assist students with program choices, admission requirements, university application and scholarship and bursay applications.


Annie RongUniversity Placment Coordinator

University Placement OfficeMaximizes our graduates’ admission opportunities to top-ranked universities for total success

Total Care in Action @ University Placement Office

As members of the CIC community, the University Placement Office delivers Total Care Education® from their initial application to graduation and beyond. We take great pride in preparing of our students for their final phase at CIC - their graduation. Together as a school, we strive to implement Total Care Education® by giving our graduates the best possible opportunity for admissions to top ranked universities in Canada, USA, and universities around the world.

Total Care Education® means the daily one-on-one counselling between the University Placement Counsellors and the students on their programs of interest, their university goals, and their dream of university education. Total Care Education® means the guidance, support and care that we offer students when they complete applications, receive recommendation letters, and prepare their personal statement letters and portfolios.

The University Placement Office implements Total Care Education® by seeking more privileges, such as guaranteed admissions and designated scholarships, from our University Partners®. As University Placement Counsellors, we are proud to contribute to the success of our graduates by maximizing their admission opportunities to top ranked universities, as well as increasing the number of scholarship awards made available to CIC.

We share the same joy and excitement they experience when they receive offers of admission and scholarships from their dream university.

Our University Placement Office ensures our graduates take full advantages of the privileges granted exclusively to CIC by top-ranked universities.

University Placement CoordinatorAnnie Rong

University Placement CounsellorJohn FlemingJoyce ZhangTerra ArnettXiaolin (Shawn) Qin

Student Services OfficerDianna Hunt

University Placement Office

Total Care® TeamSupport students’ personal and academic success and well-being throughout their journey at CIC by collaborating with other departments within the school.


John BroerFinancial Manager

Accounting Total Care in Action @ Accounting

The Accounting Department at Columbia International College provides more to the students than just financial services, books, uniforms and cash services; we continuously aim to teach, guide, support and protect students each and every day - responsibility through accountability. Our vision of Total Care Education® is not solely focused on academics - instead it is prefaced on helping students become people of great character.

We realize being away from home can be stressful as students are learning a different language, in a new environment while maintaining their school work and class attendance. This drives us to ensure each student leaves our department with a smile on their face. Sometimes showing a friendly smile, or a kind gesture, is all it takes to make a student feel comfortable, welcomed and relaxed.

The Accounting department strives to deliver Total Care Education® by becoming members of students’ extended family, their teachers, their friends and their mentors, in taking responsibility with their personal finances.

Manager of Financial ServicesJohn Broer

Financial Services Assistant ManagerJennifer Thompson

Accounts Receivable OfficerLisa Ciofani

Cost Accounting AnalystNicolas Iglic

Filing Clerk Benjamin HoweJulie Pierias

Student Services OfficerCatherine FisherDiana Ticas

Student Services Officer College StoreChristina DifalcoBarbara Cam

Accounting Department

Tara RossHuman Resources Manager

Human Resources

Total Care in Action @ Human Resources

Total Care Education® means that we have made a commitment to help our students in every aspect of their lives. Total Care Education® is more than just the services we provide our students - it defines the expectations we have for ourselves and others. Our primary objective at Columbia International College is to provide for the Academic, Social, Emotional and Physical well being of all our students.

Experience in Total Care®Skills:To deliver the best Total Care® experience to all our students, we recruit top talent who share common values, skills and goals to benefit our student body. Team-Player:Total Care Education® means we are working as a team to assist our students academically, socially, emotionally and physically. In order to accomplish this goal every department from Housekeeping to Teaching has a very important role to play. No single individual or department can do this on their own.

Passion for Education: We believe that Total Care Education® helps transform students into Global Citizens of tomorrow. Our talented, passionate, and dedicated staff go above and beyond to deliver a meaningful education, both inside and outside the classroom.

Innovators: We contribute to our staff’s professional development by providing regular training sessions so that they can build upon their own skill set. The Human Resources department works closely with all departments to ensure that they have the vision, motivation, and skills that are necessary to succeed.

A Winning Team: We are passionate about success and work hard to promote change and growth so that 35 years from now we will still be a visionary in education.

Although each department operates separately, in the end, we are all working together to support our students’ success through the guiding principle of Total Care Education®.

Human Resources Department

Human Resources ManagerTara Ross

Training OfficerMichael Burzynski

Human Resources OfficerRebecca Cardwell

JR Human Resources OfficerJeanie Quenneville

JR Human Resources TrainerTiffany Maia

Jennifer Shelley,Assistant Housekeeping Manager

Housekeeping Total Care in Action @ Housekeeping

As a growing commitment to the students, staff and visitors from around the world, it is our goal to make sure their stay at Columbia International College is a memorable one. The Housekeeping Department dedicates themselves to doing the best that they can in preparing and maintaining a clean and safe living and learning environment to all. We take pride in the Total Care® philosophy and commit ourselves to delivering the highest quality of care.

The Housekeeping Department provides a welcoming atmosphere to our students and visitors. Often referred to as the “glue” of Columbia, we are ready and willing to lend our assistance whenever and wherever needed. While we may face challenges, our team of Housekeepers work together to maintain a positive outlook and reach our goals for the care and commitment of the Columbia community. We strive to reach our full potential and take pleasure in proving healthy and safe school and residence environments that foster student success.

Assistant Housekeeping ManagerJennifer Shelley

HousekeeperAmal WarsameAna RoqueAnab Ali FarahAngela Patricia ArrietaCarmelina MoralesClaudia Corado MonterrosoDeega HassanDina Magarin Doralba LopezElsa Palma CruzFanta NdebayHalwa AbdiHeather WarrenIris MasihIvania Borge PadillaJoanne Bomberry

Lisa PattisonLucelly CaroMaria CaridadMaria HernandezMaria Sara CarranzaMarina MartinezMarta GallegoMarta RobletoMigdalia YoungMing LuMiroslava Conte-OroMonica MoonsammyNorma RiveraOfelia HernandezOlga DuqueRosa HernandezRun ShiqowSafiya MohomoudSandra LoaizaSourelis CortesZainab Rage

Housekeeping Department

William GeorgisProperty Manager

Maintenance Total Care in Action @ Maintenance

Total Care® is a commitment to assuring access to high quality learning, working and living space. Our goal in delivering Total Care® is to create an environment where there are minimal problems. We work as a team to live up to, and surpass, the Total Care® standards.

Columbia’s Maintenance Department is committed to ensuring the highest quality service to our students and staff. We ensure that students receive the best education possible by providing comfortable and safe learning and living environments in both academic buildings and the school residences.

Property Manager William Georgis

Assistant Property Manager Daniel Courchesne

Maintenance WorkerAl DavidsonDaniel CourchesneDanny RuanJeff SmithJohn LafaveLajos ZsambokiLaszlo HorvathPhilip GrantRobert ArcherWayne Warren

PainterSamuel Gardiner

Maintenance Department

Randy de ResendesI.T. Manager

I.T.What We DoFor the I.T. department, Total Care Education® is about providing technological support in an environment where students can grow and excel. Our goal is to minimize the distance between students and their parents, while, at the same time, keeping parents informed on their child’s progress at school. We achieve this goal by providing modern technology and communication systems.

Fostering Connections We keep parents informed with our ezReport Card system and our school’s website. Parents are informed of their own child’s performance in school and in residence with our online ezReport Card. All parents can also read about the events at Columbia International College via our news postings.

Supporting Tools We equip our academic and residential buildings with the latest technologies to ensure that students can easily communicate with their parents and friends overseas. We also maintain and upgrade all network infrastructures to keep our computer networks, internet connections, telephone system, voice mail, wifi, TV messages, security system, smart card and access card system up-to-date.

Student SuccessFor social and emotion support, students are happiest when they are talking to their parents and friends via FaceTime, Skype, or instant messaging. Providing the technical connections to make this possible ensures that students are connected to their private and personal support team which gives them greater confidence to overcome hurdles and succeed in what they wish to achieve at CIC.

I.T. DepartmentI.T. ManagerRandy de Resendes

Assistant ProgrammerRobert Warelis

I.T. OfficerEdgar VillarQuoc-Anh DaoSujith Tharmarajah

Total Care in Action @ I.T.

Ian ColemanCampus Safety Coordinator

Campus Safety

Total Care in Action @ Campus Safety

Safety and security are core components of the Total Care Education System®. We understand that student safety is the biggest concerns for parents. Recognizing this vital importance, our well-researched safety and security action plan, gives parents greater assurance that their children’s safety and security is well looked after. The fact that there is a dedicated team of experienced safety officers in place to ensure that their children are, and remain safe, at all times during their entire stay at Columbia International College should give further peace of mind to parents.

A Proactive Approach Campus Safety plays multiple roles in providing Total Care Education® to our students as the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. We take safety seriously and implement numerous proactive measures to ensure that student safety is never compromised.

The Campus Safety team plays a pivotal role in ensuring the Total Care Education System® is effective in supporting Columbia students. We actively oversee and monitor the school’s overall safety which includes everything from CCTV recording to acting as a Liaison for the Hamilton Police in order to ensure that all the students and staff are as safe as possible.

Making Columbia a Safe Place to live and learn Our goal is to provide a safe environment for all students and staff. By enforcing the safety rules and regulations of Columbia International College and educating students about local rules and the laws of Canada, we can better serve the needs of our student body and the well-being of all members of the CIC community.

Campus Safety DepartmentSafety CoordinatorIan Coleman

Safety MonitorAlan GibbDesmund LeeRalph TaylorReta GeorgisShawn DalipSteve JonesZamir Sideq

Food Services DepartmentJeffrey FrederickDirector of Food Services

Sodexo Food Services

Total Care in Action @ Sodexo Food Services

Sodexo is proud to have contributed to Columbia’s success for the past 24 years. We started operations on March 3, 1990 with a team of four - one manager and three staff. We now have a team of 130 – one general manager, one executive chef, four managers and 124 staff – who work hard to provide services which improve the quality of life for all staff and students at the school and residences of Columbia International College.

Our staff starts the day before any of the students wake up in the morning. We are committed to delivering Total Care Education® by:• Fulfilling the nourishment needs of our students in their breakfast, lunch, dinner and night snacks, 7 days a week. • Going above and beyond to provide meals outside of our daily meal service to accommodate students who are

in need of special meals - sick, diet, allergies or religion. • Creatively designing menus that are authentic and varied to fit the diverse needs of our students. • Tirelessly providing meals to the entire CIC community 365 days of a year, regardless of weather or any other

external factors.

We strive to create a welcoming environment and have a diverse staff – representing over 50 countries - to better communicate and serve our students and staff. It has been a pleasure serving Columbia and be part of the success of the Total Care Education System®. We look forward to continuing our partnership in the years to come.

General ManagerJeffrey Frederick

Executive ChefSteven Khor

Office ManagerTerri Graham

Asian Fusion and Linden Hall Food Service ManagerWendy Hill

Pine Boys and Pine Girls Food Service ManagerElizabete Chan Li

Oak Hall, Arkledun and The Grill Food Service ManagerKarla Quinteros

Pauline KanExecutive Director

Beijing Offi ceA620 Century Square, No.99 Wangfujing StreetDongcheng District, Beijing, China100006

Director of Beijing offi ceLian Ru Shang

Liaison offi cerYu Mo (Maggie) TengFang Xiao Ling

Malaysia Offi ceCAM Student Service CentreBox #401, Lot 2.69 1st Floor, Wisma CentralJalan Ampang, 50450Kuala Lumpur

Director of AdmissionsChek Loong Tan

Admissions Offi cerJulie Tan

Hong Kong Offi ceNan Fung Tower173 Des Voeux Road Central Hong Kong

Director of AdmissionsWinnie Kan

Senior Education Counsellor Lily Pak

Education CounsellorPeggy Chan

Liaison Offi cerDanny Wong

Accounting SupervisorAlice Chan

Assistant to Accounting SupervisorFion Fong

ReceptionistJoanna Yuen

Overseas Offi ces

Hong Kong Offi ceEstablished in 1979, the same year Columbia International College was established in Hamilton, the Hong Kong Offi ce serves as the college’s overseas admissions offi ce.

Total Care® starts as soon as students and parents join the CIC family. With 35 years of experience, we have come to understand the needs of parents and students very well. Parents have thousands of questions concerning their children’s future before, during, and after the application process. We are here to provide solutions to these questions. Additionally, we prepare students for the challenges they may face once they arrive in Canada. Through the counselling process, we take on the role of friend, teacher and even parent to students. As a member of the Total Care® team, we aim to prepare our students for success at Columbia International College and in Canada before they travel overseas.

With Total Care®, our work in the Hong Kong Offi ce does not stop after the students are in Hamilton. In most situations, we continue to serve as the bridge between the school, students and parents. Our team at the Hong Kong Offi ce works with our colleagues in Canada to keep parents informed of their child’s progress and performance. We are committed to the well-being of students and parents and act as their centre of communication. For parents, we are more than just offi ce workers, we are their friends.

We love our work. We love being a part of Columbia’s Total Care® team and we love seeing our students succeed overseas.

Hong Kong Offi ce

T

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Thank You!

Notes from Parents

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“I called CIC in 2002 upon the recommendation of another parent. After speaking with a representative from the Admissions Department, I knew this would be perfect place for Scieska to attend. Her schedule was tailored specifically to her dream of becoming a journalist. CIC was essentially a “home away from home” and I was pleased with the living accommodations, security, housing rules, meals, transportation and social environment. I would highly recommend CIC’s -Total Care Education® as the best option for any young person looking to make that successful transition from high school to university. ”

Sonia Bowie AdderleyMother of Scieska Adderley, Class of 2003 Bahamas

Ping ZhaoMother of Wang Yi Di, Class of 2012China

Li-Chang WuFather of Pei-Hsi Wu, Class of 1998

Pei-Lu Wu, Class of 2000Pei-Tsung Wu, Class of 2001

Canada

“After graduating from Columbia in 2012, my daughter has been extremely successful at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Business, receiving scholarships consecutively for two years. I fully understand that her success is due to not only her own efforts, but also CIC’s Total Care Education System ®. She truly benefited from the teachers’ personalized approach. She loved her CIC teachers as they were constant sources of inspiration and encouragement. As a parent, CIC’s Total Care Education® also gave me peace of mind, especially the residence staff who are extremely dedicated to their students.”

“While considering how to best ensure my three children a smooth transition to the Canadian education system, CIC and its Total Care Education System® was the most reliable choice for us. It strives to serve parents in conducting periodic communications and interactions, providing feedback on children’s life and academic performance. CIC staff showed diligence in counselling students on their university applications, assisting them in finding the most suitable school for higher education. My three children graduated from CIC and entered into prestigious universities; University of Toronto and Waterloo. They finished their post-secondary education and found careers of their passion. We genuinely appreciate the efforts and dedication of CIC in bridging our children to Canadian society. Before immigrating to Canada, we are grateful to CIC for the guidance they showed my children during their first stage of education in Canada.”

Zhi Ming He Father of Raymond He, Class of 1994Hong Kong

Jeni Novita Mother of Vincent Halim, Class of 2014Indonesia

“When my son arrived at Columbia 20 years ago, there were only 300 students. Now it has grown into the largest private school in Canada. This is undoubtedly because of its unique Total Care Education System®. CIC takes great care of its students in various aspects ranging from academics to living to communicating with parents. 2014 is CIC’s 35th Anniversary. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank CIC for having nurtured my child and preparing him for a successful life in university and beyond. I wish CIC many more years of success and hope they continue to deliver world-class education to students worldwide.”

CIC has excellent experience in nurturing their students. We feel safe to send our son studying abroad. We can monitor and communicate with the school on his progress. Congratulations on your 35th anniversary.

“Columbia International College is unique, diverse and beautiful in a way that is so special and contributes to Canada’s multiculturalism. CIC’s Total Care® ensured the overall well being of my five girls during their high school careers. Academically, their teachers and tutors pushed them to excel. They received unmatched guidance that allowed them to choose the right universities where they would flourish. At residence, there were competent staff that concerned themselves with their comfort. I seldom had to worry since I could always learn how they were doing through a phone call to their liaison officer. I am a proud Columbia International College mom. As would be said in my local parlance “Ayekoo CIC, mo no adwuma pa ye” (translation: “A job well done CIC!”)”

Emma Andam Mother of Abena Andam, Class of 2003 Akos Andam, Class of 2004 Akua Andam, Class of 2005 Peggy Blessing Andam, Class of 2010 Clementia Andam, Current studentGhana

“It was good decision to send my children to Columbia International College and I would recommend it to other parents. The education system is very flexible and gives students many options. Teachers at Columbia are friendly and there are many staff available to help students. Away from home, they received good care at Columbia and were able to attend some of the world’s most prestigious universities; the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto. I want to thank Columbia for giving my children good basic skills and providing them with a safe environment. Above all, I want to thank Columbia for making me a proud father.”

“I am very happy, and above all I enjoy peace of mind, knowing that my sons are well taken care of. Also that they are closely oriented to ensure that their experience away from home be a factor of great value in their personal development, all of which will make them persons of good will. Thank you.- Katya de Galan.”

Oh Seung MookFather of Oh Han Kyul, Class of 2012 Oh Han Young, Class of 2013Korea

Katya de GalanMother of Claudio Galan Medina, current student Alejandro Galan Medina, grade 8 studentMexico

Sheron GilzeanMother of Sasha Gilzean, Class of 2002 Samantha Gilzean, Class of 2014Jamaica

“In 2002, the decision was made to send my first daughter to Columbia International College (CIC) to continue her education. I must say that I have no regrets. The transition into her new living and learning environment was smooth because the staff at CIC was very friendly and helpful, and provided the best home away from home care. They ensured that she was emotionally and physically strong and guided her social and academic life. Her daily meals contained a balanced diet. CIC helps students achieve higher success than they thought possible. Their education system is beyond academic; “Total Care” is exactly what Columbia International College is about.”

Kate is my lovely first daughter. As a mother, I care for her studying and her personal growth. I always hope for the best for her as any parents in the world would. I chose CIC to be Kate’s second home. I believe in their unique Total Care Education System® which provides a stable living and learning environment for young international students. CIC developed Kate not only academically but also socially, emotionally, and physically. CIC gave Kate the opportunity to become a young leader and also contribute to the Hamilton community. She was accepted to 5 top universities in Canada with many scholarships. I am very proud of Kate’s success and believe that CIC truly is a second home for Kate and other International students.

“The Total Care Education System® provided a safe environment for my son, Ken, to learn and live and each staff member took great care of him. The Total Care Education System® also gave him opportunities to become independent and responsible in life, allowing him to discover his greatest potential. I am truly grateful to Columbia’s Total Care Education System® for giving my son endless opportunities. Ken has outdone our expectations and has truly become a well-rounded person after graduating from Columbia International College. Thanks to Columbia International College, my son’s dreams came true and he is now a proud student at California State University of Fullerton. “(Kai-Lin Chu with his father at California State University of Fullerton, USA)

Yu Jung-MeiMother of Kai-Lin Chu, Class 2013Taiwan

An Ngoc Mother of Mai Phuong Kate Le, Class of 2012Vietnam

“I am grateful to every member of CIC’s team for their efforts in Liza’s upbringing. Thanks to strict discipline, students learn to manage how to spend their time usefully and productively. Your caring and patient staff team ensure my daughter is never alone, puzzled with difficult home tasks or health problems. The activities Columbia provides allows my daughter to increase her self-confidence and develop her skills. She is learning valuable lessons studying here that I am confident will help her succeed in the future. I readily recommend CIC Total Care® to those parents, whose child is eager to excel in Canada.”

Elena Getmanskaya Mother of Elizaveta Getmanskaya, grade 8 studentRussia

total care® in action

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