OCAD Goes Global

Since launching in the spring of 2009, OCAD’s International Student Services Office (ISSO) has been focused on enhancing programming, support and activities for incoming international students, outgoing mobility/exchange students and all OCAD students wanting to engage in an international education experience.

The ISSO collaborates with university and community partners to support OCAD’s internationalization strategy, enhance the critical and creative potential of all learners and maximize opportunities for engagement in the global community. Our focus lies in five main areas: international student support and engagement; mobility/exchange; alumni relations; internal collaborations; and external partnership building.

For Hristo Raynov, a third-year Environmental Design student originally from Sophia, Bulgaria, being at OCAD means, “jumping into a lava stream of knowledge and inspiration, where I can expand my creativity beyond what I have known before.” In addition to his academic exploration, Hristo is a member of the newly formed ISSO Advisory Group, a group of students who meet monthly to discuss and strategize on the issues, challenges, opportunities and activities affecting international educational opportunities at OCAD. 



The ISSO Advisory Group members at Orientation. Photo: Arslan Shahid.

Zhengyun Lu, a fourth-year Integrated Media student from Shanghai, China, is also a member of the ISSO Advisory Group and the first OCADSU International Student Rep, along with TuêSi Nguyen from France. Recognizing the need for an official channel for international student concerns and ideas, the OCADSU and ISSO co-created a position that will impact international student participation and representation which, for Lu means, “supporting the dreams we all have and encouraging us to think about new ideas and their impact in the world.”

Other recent and notable ISSO initiatives include the launch of Internationaleyes , OCAD’s internationally-focused student group. The ISSO has also engaged in training international peer mentors and developed a 6-part workshop series including Navigating Ontario’s Healthcare System , Group Presentations for Non-native English Speakers and Understanding Canadian Classroom Culture. 



Steve Kang welcomes new international students. Photo: Arslan Shahid.

 Connecting and empowering recent international graduates and alumni is another priority for the ISSO. According to Gloria Bernal, a 2009 Sculpture/Installation graduate from Bogota, Colombia, “OCAD pushed me to take risks and make decisions, both formal and theoretical, that will guide me in my future practice. Connecting to the city is another plus for international students. I appreciate so much of what Toronto has to offer in terms of cultural diversity and my dream is to be able to collaborate with local and international artists in locations around the world.”

This spring, the ISSO and the OCAD Alumni Association co-hosted the inaugural GradEx Global , a celebration of the contributions made by OCAD international graduates. Building on that success, the newly formed ISSO international alumni network, along with current students, are planning an internationally-themed group exhibit for spring 2010.



Jessica Tudos, Head, International Student Services Office with Zhengyun Lu, OCAD President Sara Diamond and Gloria Bernal. Photo: TuêSi Nguyen.
Emerging from the increased collaboration between the ISSO, faculty offices and administrative departments is the expanded and enhanced Student Mobility/Exchange Program. The program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to attend international art and design institutions for creative, academic and cross-cultural development, while completing an OCAD degree. With several new partners (Parsons Paris, Malmo University in Sweden, the Film and TV School of Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) in Prague), enhanced pre- and post-departure orientations, a returning students celebration and show, as well as streamlined administrative processes, the ISSO’s programing continues to grow and evolve.



OCAD’s first GradEx Global event. Photo: TuêSi Nguyen.


“Taking part in the mobility/exchange program is the greatest learning experience a student can encounter,” explains Daniel Dengerink, a 2009 Material Art & Design program graduate and medal winner. “You must adapt to a new learning process, look at techniques from new angles, and be a part of a new culture and community. You learn so much about yourself as a person and as an artist/designer.”

The ISSO has been active in enhancing international education opportunities and support for students, and we look forward to continuing to internationalize our unique arts and design community. To connect with the ISSO, contact Jessica Tudos, Head, International Student Services Office, or Susan Kemp, Coordinator, International Student Services & Student Mobility/Exchange at international@ocad.ca .