COVID-19: Updates and Resources

 

EduNova and its members are committed to supporting current and prospective international students in navigating studying at a Nova Scotia institution during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We understand that the pandemic is causing a lot of uncertainty. The purpose of this page is to provide the most up-to-date information available as it relates to how Nova Scotia institutions are handling the COVID-19 situation and what that means for you as an international student.  

Need to Know:

  • On 22 March 2020, the Government of Nova Scotia declared a provincial state of emergency to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency is still in place to-date. 
  • Nova Scotia is prepared and delighted to be once again welcoming international students to our institutions knowing the necessary health protocols are in place!
  • Please check your respective institution for more details regarding accessing your education.  
  • Nova Scotians are required to practice social distancing to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.  
  • Staying healthy: wash or sanitize hands often, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, clean high-touch surfaces and objects often. 
  • For more information on this release, please visit Nova Scotia’s Coronavirus Website. 

 

 

EduNova Webinar Series

EduNova has developed a free winter webinar series created in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the impact it is having on international students across the province. The series is designed to support international students during the changing job market and post-graduation. 

Upcoming Webinar:

There are no upcoming webinars at this time. Check back soon. 

Previous Webinars: 

December 8, 2020 – Winter Webinar and Wellness Series: Health and Wellness for International Students

EduNova Webinar Series – Building Resiliency in Your Career During a Time of Crisis (delivered by En Point and IPromise – April 15th):

EduNova Webinar Series – LinkedIn and Online Profiles for A Competitive Job Market (delivered by Halifax Partnership – April 22nd):

EduNova Webinar Series – Immigration Pathways for Permanent Residency (delivered by IRCC and NSOI – April 29th):

EduNova Webinar Series – Coping and Managing Anxiety in a Changing Job Market During Uncertain Times (delivered by Lysa Appleton- May 6th):

EduNova Webinar Series – Financial Management During Uncertain Times (delivered by Sam Jarad- May 13th):

EduNova Presents: Get an Edge on Your Job Search with Graduate To Opportunity (GTO) (delivered by Margaret Schwartz- May 28th):

EduNova Presents: Jobtimize: Finding The Ideal Job – Learn About Online Job Matching (delivered by Tim Brennan- June 17th):

EduNova Presents: RRSP and Investment Options in Canada: An Overview and Q&A Webinar for International Students (delivered by Sam Jared- June 24th):

EduNova Presents: Soft Skills: Determinants of Career Success? (delivered by Paul Brinkhurst- July 15th):

Link to the recording to the Tax information Session – delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), February 21st, 2020.

Post Graduate Work Permits:

Under the standard processing guidelines for the PGWPP, an international student graduating from an eligible Designated Learning Institution may be eligible for a work permit if the graduate has:

  • completed a program of study in Canada (minimum 8 month duration);
  • completed at least 50% of their studies in Canada; and,
  • completed at least 50% of their studies in-class.

Additionally, any time spent studying towards a Canadian credential outside of Canada is deducted from the assessment of the length of the work permit.

Students who were already studying in Canada, and whose classes were moved online due to the travel and health restrictions introduced due to COVID-19 won’t be penalized with regard to their PGWPP eligibility, including the length of work permit for which they will be eligible. However, these students continue to be required to spend at least 50% of their time studying in Canada to be eligible for the PGWPP.

To address ongoing developments with respect to COVID-19, on April 7, 2020, IRCC introduced temporary policy changes, effective immediately. These temporary policy changes impact students who currently have a study permit, or who have been approved for a study permit, for a program starting in May or June 2020, but who are unable to travel to Canada at this time due to travel restrictions. For these students, if their in-class courses are being moved to an online-only format because of COVID-19, their eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program won’t be affected. International students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada and may complete up to 50% of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner. Given the fluidity of the current context surrounding COVID-19, IRCC will continue to monitor and assess the situation. For more information please visit IRCC.

Volunteer Nova Scotia:

Volunteer Nova Scotia is a province-wide service that connects people looking for volunteer opportunities with non-profit organizations looking for skilled volunteers. In response to COVID-19, the website has been updated to include a COVID-19 response page for organizations and volunteers who want to help with the relief effort, as well as volunteer-from-home opportunities.

More information is available at https://www.volunteerns.ca/

Questions? Keep up to date with your institution’s response to COVID-19.

Cape Breton University 

University Sainte-Anne

Atlantic School of Theology

Dalhousie University

Saint Mary’s University 

Acadia University

NSCAD

St. Francis Xavier 

Mount Saint Vincent University 

University of King’s College

NSCC

Health and Wellbeing

While we continue to practise social distancing, it is important to continue to look after your mental and physical health.

Resources:  

Federal Resources: 

Provincial Resources:  

 Immigration Resources: