Specialization courses bringing Brazilians to Canada
Young Brazilians choose Canada to study. In their travel plan they have a specialization course, a job and the realization of the dream of living in a country that is synonymous with well-being.
Report & photos by Jandy Sales | Published 1/05/2018
Living in a country that offers better quality of life and schools with an international level of education has attracted a lot of young Brazilians to Canada. According to the Belta association, which brings together student exchange agencies, nearly 250,000 young people decided to study abroad in 2016.
According to the association, Canada is one of Brazilian students’ first choices to study English or French, but they are no longer coming to Canada to study language only.
Professional qualification is now the watchword for these young people. They land with the objective to achieve professional success and to become permanent residents.
Aline Gomes chose Canada to study International Marketing.
International Marketing
This is the case of Aline Gomes, 32 years old. She had a solid professional career in Curitiba – the capital of the state of Parana, where she worked for an Argentinean multinational company. In 2016, Aline landed in Toronto to specialize in the field of trade marketing. “It was a plan that required a lot of sacrifice and investment” she said.
The student, who is originally from the city of Marília, Sao Paulo, planted the seed back in 2011 when she came to Canada to study English. She fell in love with the country, returned to Brazil, married and convinced her husband, Luiz Alberto, to accompany her on her trip back to Canada.
Aline studied Business Administration with an emphasis in Foreign Trade in Brazil. In Toronto, she joined the Pathway program in Toronto – a course that empowers international students to the Canadian academic life.
She is now pursuing a postgraduate degree at Humber College where she is attending Global Business Management. Since the work permit is linked to the spouse’s student visa, Aline’s husband got a job in the same area he already worked with in Brazil: accounting.
Felipe Freire uses a coffee shop as an extension of his office for business meetings.
Changing Careers
Felipe Freire, 33, followed Aline’s path. But the São Paulo native, with a music degree, changed his country and profession at the age of 27 years old. After arriving in Canada, he completed the Global Business Management course in July 2014 and got a job offer a month after that. Today, Felipe works for a plastic and acrylic products distribution centre where he manages a portfolio with more than 300 clients.
This paulistano (people who were born in the capital of Sao Paulo are called “paulistano” ) experienced some adversity while working at his first job in Canada. At his employer’s request, he attended an accent reduction course as he had been warned he might risk losing customers – an attitude which he now sees as a prejudiced one. “I didn’t feel like confronting them, otherwise I would have lost my job.”
Canada Forever
Thanks to his academic background and professional experience in Canada, Felipe, who is married and father of two children, both born here, obtained permanent residence through the Express Entry program.
Aline is still trying to get her permanent residence. She will apply to stay in Canada permanently after her graduation in August.
Immigration options through academic and professional qualifications
There are federal and provincial immigration programs for students and qualified professionals.
Express Entry is a federal program and takes into account factors such as the candidate’s age, education level, work experience and English proficiency.
The Skilled Worker and the Skilled Trade provincial programs are based on the candidate’s background: years of relevant work experience, academic background, certifications and proficiency in English and / or French.
The Canadian Experience Class is for those who have at least one year of working experience (1560h) in Canada in particular areas.
Provincial Nominee Programs nominate candidates based on the results of the Express Entry program.
“The student should choose a study program that fits their needs, keeping in mind the requirements and the demands of Canadian job market,” said Emerson Fernandes, CEO of Canada Without Borders – a Sao Paulo – based company that provides immigration advice to exchange students and general immigration advice as well.
More info: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp
