Roundtable Q&A Discussion About College Prep International (2021)
College Prep International alumni, current students, and parents shared their insights on the school’s culture, values, strengths, and weaknesses. Hear what Ali, Hassam, Sima had to say about the school.
Video Contents
- 0:42 - What alumni appreciated most about the school and how their perspective on that has changed now that they have some distance from the school
- 2:34 - The biggest impact the school has had on its children
- 4:31 - Something families would find the most surprising about the school
- Show Full Video Contents
Highlights from the Q&A discussion
Ali — alum
Ali is a graduate of College Prep International. He shared a little about his journey, recalling the welcoming and friendly environment of the school, which helped him overcome initial stress and the language barrier.
- “I'm one of the former students at College Prep International… When I came to Canada, I couldn't really speak English well, and I had anxiety... Until my parents found College Prep International. I remember the first day [my family and I] came to [College Prep International] for visiting and registration, and I was so stressed out. I thought, ‘How am I going to communicate?’ [One of the teachers] took me out of the office and we started playing ping pong. She told me about the food and she was so calm and welcoming. I couldn't speak English but I somehow found a way to communicate with [that teacher], which really affected me.”
- “I started studying at [College Prep International]. Everyone was so friendly. That's where I learned English, which started my whole career from there. So that's the first impression that I had from College Prep [International]. Even today, after 11 years.. .. I visit [College Prep International], and help them with things that they need.”
- “[College Prep International] is an amazing, welcoming environment. If I have to bring my kids to a school, this is a place I will bring them.”
- “There are so many amazing characteristics that [College Prep International] has, but I would say [the school is] welcoming, smart, and kind.”
Hassam — current parent
Hassam, the parent of two alumni, shared his positive experience with College Prep International, highlighting its welcoming atmosphere and effective integration of his daughters, especially as newcomers to Canada. He expressed pride and satisfaction with the quality education, friendships, and teaching staff at the school.
- “I'm the father of [twpo children who] both graduated from [College Prep International]. When we first immigrated to Canada five years ago, I wanted to transfer my kids into a good school. I didn't know anybody in Canada, and I didn't know anybody in Montreal, so I went through the web. For some reason, I opened College Prep [International’s web page]. I had that feeling the moment I saw the website. I had that feeling that this is the right school.”
- “I came to register [my kids at College Prep International], and when I went inside, I felt that I was really making the right choice. … That moment was amazing. I felt that my kids really could fit in this school and develop their personalities because we come from a different culture. That was the first [my kids] came to Canada.”
- “I wanted a [school] that would be suitable for [my kids] to develop their personalities and skills. I believe I gained that. My kids were very, very happy that I chose [College Prep International].”
- “[You should] expect amazing things [from College Prep International]. If I was to make the slogan for the school, I would choose ‘expect amazing,’ because it really was amazing how my kids were adopted into [College Prep International]. That's how I felt [too]. I felt adopted to the school. … It's like a second family. [My daughter] was always happy to go to school. [My son] was always happy to go to school. I wasn't when I was their age, but they were happy to leave the house, to go to school, and spend quality time [there].”
- “I got everything I wanted from the school. I was very happy that I made that choice. [College Prep International] did not disappoint me. I was proud that I got my kids into the school.”
Sima — alum
Sima, an alumna of College Prep International, shared her experiences, emphasizing the school's family-like atmosphere and supportive environment. Sima advised new students to enjoy their time, and not worry, describing the school as a second home.
College Prep International was where I learned English and where I started my whole career. I remember the first day we came to visit the school, and I was so stressed out, like, “What's going to happen? How am I going to communicate?” And Ms. Mora took me out of the office and we walked into the cafeteria. Everyone was so friendly. We started playing ping-pong, and she told me about the food, and she was so calm and welcoming. And, even though I couldn't speak English, I somehow found a way to communicate with Ms. Mora, and that really affected me.
Even today, after eleven years, I still come to visit the school, and help them with things that they need. And it still feels the same: An amazing, welcoming environment. When I will bring my own kids to school, this is a place I will bring them.
If I had to describe College Prep with just three words, I would say welcoming, smart and kind.
From the moment I saw College Prep’s website, I had that feeling that this is the right school. When I visited the school, I felt that I was really making the right choice. When we immigrated to Canada, five years ago, I wanted to send my kids to a good school. I didn't know anybody in Montreal. So, I first went through the web.
I felt that my kids really fit in this school and developed their personalities, even though we came from a different culture. And that was when my daughters were new to Canada. And I wanted a place where it could be suitable for them to develop their personalities and skills. And I believe we found that. I am very, very happy that I made that choice.
This is a truly amazing school. Both my daughters were happy to go to school. They had quality education, quality friends, quality teachers. I got everything that I wanted from the school. And I was proud that I had my kids in the school. I was really proud.
What families might find surprising about College Prep International is the family atmosphere, the great environment where their children are going to grow. It’s a very healthy atmosphere, a healthy environment, where there is love all around. There is no judgment, everyone's there to help. Everyone's there for you. You will never feel pressured.
For new students, I will tell them to actually just enjoy their time, because all the hard things are going to be easy at College Prep. I will tell them to never worry. Everything is going to be great at the school. So just to enjoy their time and do everything they're supposed to be doing and just be responsible.
You leave home to come to a second home, you never feel like you're going to school.
