Making SAIT home: From Iran to Calgary for Administrative Information Management

“I would highly recommend that international students participate in events on campus or online to gain new experiences, meet new people and make friends.”

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SAIT has welcomed international students from 140+ countries around the world to study everything from electrical engineering technology to business administration.

To celebrate International Education Week, Nov. 16 - 20, five international students share what brought them to SAIT, their favourite thing about Calgary and their top tips for international students planning to study #hereatSAIT.

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Golnaz, Iran, Administrative Information Management

What brought you to SAIT? 

I’m an international student from Iran —  I came to Canada in 2018. SAIT is one of the best post-secondary schools in Alberta, and I liked the variety of programs I could choose from. I also love that SAIT programs are practical — I wanted something that would prepare me for the world of work after I graduate.

How are you making the most of your experience in Calgary and at SAIT?

Since I came to Calgary, I’ve volunteered at different organizations both on and off-campus. Volunteering with Saitsa I met a lot of amazing people and gained so many great experiences. I’m also an Event Ambassador with the International Centre  — we organize online events, such as Global Cafés to stay connected to SAIT students and staff. Since the pandemic, I still get to connect with people virtually by participating in online events. I’ve found participating and getting involved in extra-curricular activities helps me make the most of my spare time and improves my communication and teamwork skills.

What are your top three tips for international students looking to study at SAIT? 

• I would highly recommend that international students participate in events on campus or online to gain new experiences, meet new people and make friends.
• As an international student, I know how expensive tuition is. Remember to apply for student awards.
• If you have questions about your health insurance, status or extending your study permit, contact one of the advisors from the International Centre — they’ll be able to help you with all of that.

What’s your favourite thing about Calgary? 

There are a lot of things I love about Calgary. It’s a beautiful city with a magnificent environment, especially in the summer. There are lots of activities you can do during summer or fall, such as hiking and biking. During winter, you can try ice skating — which is so much fun in my opinion. I also love the community and how nice people are. There are a lot of events and opportunities to make sure you have a good time, give back to the community and connect with people.

What’s your favourite thing about studying at SAIT? 

Since I started my courses at SAIT, I have met a lot of people from different countries and I really enjoy learning about other cultures. Hanging out with my international friends has helped me improve my English skills and be more confident in communicating with others.

Let’s get global!

Connect with people and cultures from around the world and add a global perspective to your student experience with these stories. 

• Kenmay, Philippines “Top tips for international students: Food, seasonal clothes and slang”
• Ravi, India “SAIT has a very good reputation amongst employers, so if you can show your capabilities in the classroom, you will do well when it’s time to look for work.”
• Richie, Trinidad and Tobago “I chose SAIT because the programs are tailored to meet the needs of industry, the facilities are world-class and SAIT as an institution is held in high regard throughout Canada.”
• Sabiha, United States “Whether it's my classmates or my instructors, everyone here is just so friendly and open-minded, always willing to offer a hand.”

Make the most of your transition to Canada and SAIT

Connect with experts and access resources through the International Centre.