News Article

Mexican student fulfills dream of Canadian study at CNA


2/4/2003 9:03:10 AM


Eric Resendiz is enrolled in the Business program at the Bay St. George campus of College of the North Atlantic. He is adjusting to the cold weather and hopes to try some snow sports this winter.

February 4, 2003 - Eric Resendiz had gone all of his 19 years without seeing snow.

That is, until he flew from Mexico to Stephenville, Newfoundland in January of this year. And boy, has he seen snow!

“When my plane landed I saw white everywhere,” he exclaims. “I just said ‘what is that’?”

It seems that the west coast of Newfoundland is getting more snowfall than it’s had in years. It’s providing Eric with more snow experience than he ever imagined... or bargained for!

The Tecozautla, Mexico native decided last year that he would begin his post-secondary studies in the new year in Canada. His high school provided him with a list of institutions from provinces throughout Canada, including Newfoundland, British Columbia, and Ontario, but the Bay St. George campus of College of the North Atlantic became his destination of choice.

Arrangements were made through the Humber Education Alliance’s (HEA) International Student Centre in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Linda Hawkins, Director of Student Services for HEA, says that Eric is the first student to come through the centre to study in Canada, but he will be followed by more in the near future.

“We made a recruiting trip to Mexico and gave presentations to all the high schools, including Eric’s,” says Hawkins.

“We had a couple hundred interested students from Mexico and Belize. Like Eric, many of them are interested in coming to study Business.”

Cold weather and snow aside, Eric says he’s happy with his decision to come to Canada to study. It has been a dream of his for some time.

“I’ve always wanted to study abroad,” says Eric.

“I had attended many tradeshows with information about schools in Canada, and my high school was very oriented to students leaving Mexico for study.”

Eric comes from a relatively small family of four in Mexico. His older brother is currently finishing his degree in business at Tec de Monterrey University in Mexico. Eric’s plan is to also complete a degree in business with a concentration in finance, earn a post graduate degree, and secure a job with an investment company back in his home country.

“I am doing my first year of Business here at CNA, and then I will continue my degree at MUN,” he says.

“I’m happy to be here for my first year. The teachers are great and I like the small classes.”

The weather may be cold and a major adjustment for Eric, but he says the warm welcome and ensuing care from Stephenville residents and CNA faculty and staff have been extremely inviting.

Eric is into outdoor and indoor sports, and is hoping to meet some people who will teach him to ski and snowmobile during his stay.

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For more information contact:

Stephen Lee
Communications Manager
(709) 643-7929

or

Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
(709) 643-7928