Prince Edward Island is one of four Atlantic provinces located on Canada’s east coast. Charlottetown, the province’s capital, is known as the ‘birthplace of Canada’.

Of the ten provinces in Canada, Prince Edward Island has the smallest population at 134,557. The population is evenly divided between urban and rural dwellers. Charlottetown and Summerside are the only cities in the province. Charlottetown has a population of 32,531 and Summerside, 14,525.

While English is the first language on Prince Edward Island and 5 per cent of the total population speaks French, Islanders welcome the opportunity to meet international students and teach them about Prince Edward Island’s rich and diverse culture.

The Island’s rich red soil and moderate climate make it an excellent location for mixed farming. The three main industries which fuel the Island’s economy include agriculture, tourism and the fishery.

Travelling to Prince Edward Island is a truly unique experience, as visitors can journey by bridge, boat or air. The 13-kilometre Confederation Bridge, an engineering marvel, is one of the world’s longest continuous multi-span bridges which connects Prince Edward Island to the mainland. A ferry service operates between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia during the spring and summer months and the province’s only airport, located in Charlottetown, has direct links to most international airports.

Education Leaders:

University of Prince Edward Island

A public liberal arts and science institution, the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is committed to encouraging and fostering critical, creative, and independent thinking. As the province's only university, it plays an important role in the Island's historic, economic, social and cultural makeup. Just minutes from sandy beaches and downtown Charlottetown, the 130-acre campus features a combination of modern classrooms in century-old buildings, as well as new facilities.

UPEI offers Bachelor's degrees in Arts, Science, Nursing, Business Administration, Education and Music. DVM, MSc, and PhD programs are offered through the University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Diploma programs, distance education and continuing education courses are also offered.

With an enrollment of approximately 2900 full- and part-time students, UPEI is able to offer its students small classes, easy access to qualified faculty members and the opportunity to become involved in numerous student activities and organizations.

The University welcomes international students who are interested in its English as a Second Language program, as well as students who wish to register in a full range of academic programs.

Atlantic Veterinary College

The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at UPEI has earned an international reputation in providing exceptional learning opportunities, conducting important research and in offering expert veterinary service. AVC is also a world leader in aquaculture research.

AVC provides a unique learning environment for the study of veterinary medicine, both at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Established in 1986, AVC is the newest of the veterinary colleges in North America and is the only institution in Atlantic Canada educating Doctors of Veterinary Medicine.

Holland College

Holland College is the community college of Prince Edward Island. Located at 12 centers across the Island, the College offers a diverse range of career training options. Areas of training include: Business Administration; Entrepreneurship; Office Systems Administration; Call Centre; Health Sciences; Community Services; Adult Education; Contract Training; Industrial Trades and Technologies; Atlantic Tourism and Hospitality Institute; The Justice Institute of Canada; Marine Studies; Aviation; Wood Technology; Cosmetology; Computer Studies; Engineering Technology; Environment; and Media and Communications.

With more than a quarter century of experience, Holland College is an internationally recognized leader in the field of Competency Based Education. This learning method focuses on meeting the individual needs of the learner, combining both theory and hands-on training.

Canadian Centre for Language Training

The Canadian Centre for Language Training provides comprehensive English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for international students in Charlottetown and in two rural locations, Tryon and Park Corner. Courses offered include Intensive English Programs, English for Academic Purposes Programs and Study Tour Programs. In addition to scheduled class time, students can participate in weekly activities which will expose them to Island culture.

Programs at UPEI and Holland College are approved by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, a government advisory committee which monitors post-secondary education in the three Maritime provinces ( Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick). In addition, tuition fees for international students are reasonably low in comparison to many other countries.

Incredible Learning Opportunities:

There are many services available to help international students adjust to life on Prince Edward Island, including counselling services and student organizations. International students also have access to a wide range of extracurricular opportunities on Prince Edward Island, as there is easy access to shopping, entertainment, museums, theatres and restaurants.

Together, Prince Edward Island’s post-secondary institutions provide international students with an opportunity to grow and learn in a province rich in charm, heritage and tradition. Furthermore, they are dedicated to educational excellence by offering quality programs and are committed to developing the potential of every student.

Prince Edward Island’s educational institutions pride themselves on being small enough to know your name and big enough to offer incredible learning opportunities for all students.

Author: Ellen Hamill, Prince Edward Island, Department of Education

This article first appeared in TransWorld Education