Six ways to succeed as an international student

Starting university is both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. You’re embarking on a new journey, meeting new people, learning new things. That alone is stressful enough. But when you throw in the potential for language barriers, cultural differences, and discrimination, those only amplify the stress. This is the reality for many international students—it’s a route that takes strength and courage to traverse, but once you find your footing, you’ll have the power to turn obstacles into opportunities.

To help you down this path, three Alberta CPAs with international backgrounds share their experience and provide advice on some of the challenges you might encounter as an international student.

On overcoming language barriers

Language is often cited as the top issue facing international students. If English isn’t your first language, you might have to put in extra work, and it can take longer to learn and understand what is being taught in your classes, according to Bona Kim CPA, CMA, Senior Financial Analyst at Alberta Health Services.

“You not only have to learn the materials, but the language at the same time,” says Bona, who moved to Edmonton from Korea in 2005 and studied at NAIT before receiving her designation in 2013. “It’s going to take you longer. Something that may take an English speaker one day to understand may have taken me two or three or four days.”

One method that helped Bona overcome the language barrier is joining Toastmasters. Toastmasters is an organization that promotes communication, public speaking, and leadership. This not only helped with Bona’s English but helped her become a better public speaker, ultimately improving her communication with clients and stakeholders.

On building your network and your resume

Building a network from scratch in a new country can be challenging. Dinara Yanbaeva CPA, CMA, Manager of Indirect Tax at KPMG Canada, suggests getting involved with student clubs, attending career fairs, and volunteering as much as you can. Volunteering and community involvement build your resume and help you stand out from thousands of students looking for employment.

While attending SAIT, Dinara was extremely active at career fairs and campus events, which put her face-to-face with local professionals. She was a CPA Campus Ambassador and spent much of her time helping others learn about the CPA designation.

“I volunteered with the student employment centre at SAIT a lot,” says Dinara, who studied in Russia before moving to Calgary. “They have so many good resources. It really helped to be in touch with them all of the time. They provided help with writing resumes and cover letters, as well as interview preparation.”

By volunteering and connecting with employers at career fairs, Dinara was able to land a summer job while studying. Many schools have international student centres that host networking events and provide career resources, and are a great way to connect with other students and professionals.

On reporting discrimination and racism

Thankfully, not all international students will have to deal with this, but it would be naïve to say it doesn’t exist. Caroline Pan CPA, Partner at Accel Professional Corporation, had trouble finding a training office before joining her current employer. She encourages international students to speak up and seek help if they’re being treated unfairly. This could include talking to your school’s ombudsperson or diversity office, or reaching out to your school’s international student office for support.

“It’s important to find a sense of belonging in your community and your workplace,” says Caroline, who studied at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics before moving to Calgary. “Canadians are friendly! Make sure your new friends and coworkers are open-minded and want to understand and accept your cultural differences.”

On finding a mentor

Adapting to life in a new country can be a shock, especially if you’ve left your friends and family behind. It’s so important to try to meet new people who can help you grow. When Bona moved to Canada, she befriended Harry Paynter CPA, CGA, whom she met while he was teaching English at the library.

“I wasn’t studying accounting at the time, so we didn’t talk much about my studies, but he helped me with my English and became a great life coach,” recalls Bona. “Having a mentor around really helped me get through tough times and know what information was available for people new to the country.”

Today, Bona credits mentoring for making her a better CPA and is now a mentor herself, helping candidates obtain their CPA designation. As an international student, you may feel alone at times, but by stepping out of your comfort zone, you open yourself up to new opportunities and meet new people.

On understanding educational differences

Educational systems vary from country to country. While one might focus on precision, another might focus on self-assuredness. This is important because even if you have previous education, it may not satisfy Canadian requirements. For example, Dinara holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in economics from Russia, but when she arrived in Canada, she discovered she would need additional education to fulfil the prerequisites for the CPA program.

“When I came to Canada, I realized that the credits from my economics degree could not be fully transferred,” says Dinara. “I decided to go to SAIT to get the credits needed for the CPA program. The instructors at SAIT were so good. Studying and being a student again was fun and exciting.”

Going back to school worked in Dinara’s favour as it provided a great opportunity to meet new people and get her foot in the door with local professionals and organizations. If you have previous international education or experience, it’s good to be aware that it may not meet the requirements for certain programs.

On becoming a business leader

It doesn’t matter where you’re from. To succeed in school and the workforce, you must be self-motivated and show initiative, says Caroline. As someone who has gone through the CPA program, Caroline can confirm that, while it’s hard work, the time invested is well worth it.

“CPA is a valuable designation recognized across Canada,” says Caroline. “There are a lot of career paths you can follow once you have your designation. For example, you can be a director, strategic planner, controller, commercial banker, auditor, or wealth manager, to name a few. No matter what you choose, you will find that you have the traits to become a business leader after graduating from the program.”

If you’re an international student interested in pursuing the CPA designation, be sure to check out the resources available to you from our Recruitment team.

It’s important to note that, while people have been immigrating to Canada for hundreds of years, CPA Alberta and Capitalize acknowledge and honour the rich and extensive history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada; their footsteps have marked these lands for thousands of years and continue to do so today. The land we call Alberta is the traditional and ancestral home of many Indigenous peoples, and we are grateful for the opportunity to live, work, and play on the land they have been stewards of for generations.