International Colleges and Secondary Schools in Victoria
Once your English abilities are up to snuff, it may be time to enroll in a Canadian college or high school, or find a school for your children. There are plenty of schools in Victoria that welcome international students. Note that if you are in Canada for more than six months as an international student, you will need a special study permit, according to CanadaVisa.com. You may also be able to obtain a Work Permit in order to be employed while you are a student, if both you and your institution meet certain requirements.
Colleges and Universities
The University of Victoria, a major research and undergraduate institution, supports and assists its international student population throughout their time at the university. It will help you with immigration, finances, health insurance, selecting your courses and packing for your stay. It will also let you know what the regulations are if you want to seek employment while you are an international student staying in Canada.
If you want to attend a smaller school, try Camosun College, which also caters to its international students. It gives an International School of the Year award, and hosts Chinese high school students who are studying through Maple Leaf Educational Systems in China. Maple Leaf provides a full English immersion experience in China, with teachers from British Columbia.
There is also Royal Roads University, which bills itself as a university for working professionals. Its programs are pragmatic and market oriented and can be taken around a working person's schedule. It offers master's degrees in intercultural and international communication, conflict analysis and management, security and peace building, and international business. For international students still working on their ESL acquisition, the university offers tutoring services as well as editing services for assignments. Editing services are still, of course, subject to university guidelines regarding students turning in original work.
High Schools
Younger students can enroll in the Greater Victoria School District, which has a diverse student body. But if you really want a secondary school experience that is tailored for international students, attend one of the programs available through Victoria International High School.
Victoria International High has many programs to choose from, including a short term high school experience that can last anywhere from 1 to 3 months, and the Uplands Campus Academic Transition Program, which prepares students who have come from other school systems around the world to transition into a Canadian high school and, eventually, a Canadian university. ESL summer programs are also available.