The Experience

Toronto, the capital city of the province of Ontario, is Canada's largest city with 2.5 million residents. It is beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Ontario, one of North America's largest freshwater lakes.

Visitors from all over the world describe Toronto as comfortable, safe and vibrant. It is a city of many distinct neighbourhoods that reflect its cultural diversity through an endless array of social, culinary, entertainment, artistic, shopping and recreational opportunities. The public transit system, including subway, streetcar and bus routes, is one of the best and safest in North America.

Torontonians are friendly, outgoing people who take pride in Canada's international reputation as a leader in multiculturalism. You can expect to be welcomed and appreciated whatever your heritage, culture or religious beliefs.

Gain Valuable Work Experience
Toronto is also home to most of Canada's major employers in financial services, tourism, fashion, software development, manufacturing, communications, entertainment, design and health services. The city and the College offer you unparalleled opportunities to gain valuable work experience with leading multi-national employers while attending college and after graduation.

Co-operative Education
Co-operative education is an important component of many of the programs at George Brown. Students spend at least one paid four-month term working full-time in a job related to their field of study. Many graduates of co-op programs find full-time employment with their co-op employer.

Co-op provides:

• The opportunity to apply learning in a real-life, hands-on situation
• Practical experience and skills development
• Contacts with potential future employers
• Job search skills including resume preparation and interviewing
• Self confidence developed through a real work experience

More than 250 employers have participated in our co-op program, including:

• Allstream
• Alliance Atlantis
• Assure Financial
• BMO Nesbitt Burns
• Basketball Ontario
• Cambridge Mercantile
• CHIN Radio/TV International
• City of Toronto
• ClearChannel Entertainment
• Courtyard by Marriot
• Davies Ward Phillips and Delta Chelsea Hotel
• Epic Cycling
• Excel Funds Management Inc.
• Fireworks Marketing Group
• Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club
• HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc.
• Kaleidoscope Marketing and Communications
• One Financial
• Maple Leaf Sport and Entertainment
• Premier Financial Group Inc.
• Rogers Video
• Royal Canadian Yacht Club
• Samsung Electronics Canada
• Scotiabank
• Shoppers Drug Mart
• The Beaches International Jazz Festival
• Toronto Blue Jay Baseball Club
• Toronto Lynx Soccer Club
• Toronto Energy Management Ltd.
• Trade Commission of Mexico

Hundreds of companies and organizations are currently working with the College to create Toronto's future.

Work Placement
Many of our programs build work experience into the core curriculum. Early Childhood Education students, for example, work alongside childcare experts in Toronto's best day care centres. Nursing students do their practical training in North America's leading hospitals located just blocks from the College.

Off Campus Work Program (OCWP)
You can now apply for an off-campus work permit, gain valuable work experience and earn extra income while studying in Canada. To be eligible for the program you must have a valid Study Permit; be in good academic standing and have completed 6 months of full-time study in a public postsecondary program. For information on how to apply, visit the CIC website at:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/work-students.asp

Post-graduate Employment
You are permitted to work and earn income for up to one full year in Canada after graduation in a job which is related to your program of studies. Toronto offers one of the most vibrant and diverse employment markets in Canada for you to add North American employment experience to your resume before returning home.

For information on how to apply, visit the CIC website at:
www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/work-students.asp

Take Advantage of Our Counselling & Career Coaching Offices
Counselling and Career Coaching offers counselling on personal issues, study strategies, academic issues, career choice and job search skills. Counselling is confidential. You may see a counsellor for an individual appointment or attend workshops. In addition to help with résumés, cover letters and job finding techniques, counsellors can help you prepare for interviews.

Benefit from Living with a Homestay Family
George Brown believes strongly in the value of students living with English-speaking families while attending classes, especially during the first year at the College. Language students dramatically improve their listening and speaking skills when they have the opportunity to practice in a home-like setting.

The College maintains a close network of caring families who will make your transition to living and studying abroad a friendly and helpful experience.

Please also see:

• Homestay Application
  
• Information on what you will need
  while attending George Brown College
  
  George Brown College, International Centre
  P.O. Box 1015, Station B,
  Toronto, Ontario
  Canada, M5T 2T9
  
  Telephone: 416-415-5000 ext. 2115
  
  e-mail: international@georgebrown.ca

Revised: January 25, 2008