From Language Learning to Lattes
Every year, students from around the world arrive in Regina with ambitious goals, sometimes with limited English language skills. For many, the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at the U of R is their first step toward academic and professional success in Canada.
ESL is more than language instruction. Often, it’s an international student’s first time living outside of their home country. So, it’s also a bridge—not just into university studies, but into Canadian culture and daily life. - Sunyung Park, ESL Advisor/Counselor at CCE
The program welcomes students from countries like Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Brazil, Panama and many more. Most work
toward meeting English language proficiency requirements to take an undergraduate program at the U of R. Then, once
they complete their program, many find a career and build a life in Canada.
One of those students was Md Torikul Islam Bhuiyan, who was studying at university in Bangladesh when he first learned
about the University of Regina. “A friend of mine was studying here,” he says. “After talking with my parents, I decided it
was a good idea to pursue my education in Canada. The high standard of education attracted me to the U of R.
Bhuiyan enrolled in the EAP program and arrived in Regina on a cold December night. “I didn’t know anything about Canada, let alone Regina,” he recalls. “Thankfully, my friend helped me find accommodation, learn how to take the bus,
and set up my bank account before I started the program.”
According to Park, Bhuiyan’s experience is far from unique. “For many international students, there’s an adjustment to the culture, values, and everyday life in Canada. With varied life experiences, like different living styles or unfamiliar winter
conditions, the transition can be tough at first, but it’s also an important part of their growth,” she says.
When Bhuiyan began the program, he didn’t speak English. “In my first-year classes, I had to give 200 per cent,” he says. “I couldn’t understand anything at first. I had headaches every few days because I was concentrating so hard.”
While most students find the EAP program challenging at first, they’re given a lot of support and encouragement by the ESL
team. Park and the ESL team understand those challenges well. “Sometimes there are nine or ten different countries
represented, all speaking different languages,” she says. “It takes courage to move to another country and not speak the
language. Our job is to make sure students feel supported, happy and able to achieve their goals. Our staff often become
their family.”
Another big support group that helps students succeed is the fellow classmates and other ESL students. For Bhuiyan, those
connections made all the difference. “Making friends and interacting with the staff really helped me adjust,” he says. “For me, it was a launchpad into a whole new life.”
After graduating from the EAP program in 2018, Bhuiyan went on to earn the Certificate in Administration – Level 2, an undergraduate certificate offered through CCE. He has since become a permanent resident of Canada and, to Park’s surprise, a local business owner.
“I walked into a coffee shop one day and realized he was the owner,” Park says. “I hadn’t seen him since he graduated from the EAP program, and it was incredible to see how far he’s come.”
Register now for the English for Academic Purposes program.
Now in his second year of owning a Second Cup franchise, Bhuiyan continues to learn and grow. He is currently adding
to his education by taking the Certificate in Local Government Administration through CCE while managing his business.
“I owe a lot to ESL,” he says. “If I had gone directly to university without it, everything would have been much more difficult. I couldn’t be doing what I do now without that starting point.”
For Park, Bhuiyan’s journey reflects what ESL strives to achieve every day. “When students leave ESL and go on to thrive academically, professionally and personally, that’s the success we love to see in our students.”