Go with the flow

course aimed at adding a specialization based on the prospective and/or work experience.

This further studies overseas option is not a progression from a bachelor’s degree, masters or PhD. Instead, there are specialized courses that one can take to enhance an existing bachelor’s degree with the end-view of being competitive at home in the desired industry or be globally competitive anywhere, primarily in the country where the diploma is obtained.

A licensed Filipino nurse, for example, could take up a one-year course in Infection Prevention and Control, Social Support Worker or Early Childhood Education because having an RN degree from the Philippines, coupled with a Canadian, New Zealand or student’s competitiveness at home and in the country where he or she completed further studies.

In addition, international students are allowed and authorized to work part-time while studying and work full- time during offschool terms. This privilege and right to work enables foreign students to get a foot into the labor market stream of Canada, New Zealand or Australia—and, now, even the aggressive marketing campaign of several US educational institutions in the Midwest.

Access to potential employers also increases the likelihood of getting potential sponsors that will support an international graduate’s application for permanent residency.

In contrast with other Southeast or Asian countries— where the pursuit of higher education is principally to have higher and world to further one’s career at home or ensure one’s marketability in the global job marketplace— most Filipino students pursue studies abroad to gain access to potential employers and get those crucial points that enable them to cross the minimum threshold to be invited for permanent residency.

In addition to this access to potential employers and the allure of permanent residency (freedom from seeking whom you know in - pine career development), Filipinos validate the most common reasons why studying overseas is now seen as the most viable escape clause from perennial underemployment and unemployment in the Philippines despite holding college degrees.

A Filipino student wants study:

1. In a particular part of the world he/she had always wanted to see.

2. In a city, town, or rural area where a profession could be practiced while getting decent pay.

3. Where he/ she would feel comfortable living in.

4. Where the cultural, social, and extracurricular experiences and activities are enjoyable and productive.

5. Academic programs that aligned with his/ her personal, academic, and professional goals

6. In a country that allows easy travel to and domicile probabilities in other countries.

Based on this wish list, the Criteria for Ranking emerge.

The following criteria had been selected based on rankings made by a respected magazine worldwide and interviews with Filipino students applying for visas to pursue academic programs overseas.

Citizenship: cares about human rights, cares about the environment, gender equality, progressive, religious freedom, respects property rights, trustworthy, welldistributed political power

Cultural Influence: culturally - to ment, fashionable, happy, has an influential culture, modern, prestigious, trendy

Ability to Work While Studying: availability of career counselors, guidance on entering the local job market; access to employers who could be potential sponsors for full employment and/or permanent residency; eligibility of spouse to work full-time.

Entrepreneurship: connected to the rest of the world, educated population, entrepreneurial, innovative, provides easy access to capital, skilled labor force, technological expertise, transparent business practices, well-developed infrastructure, well- developed legal framework.

Best value for tuition and cost of studies: competitive course employers allowed to post job reasonable rates of transportation, food and lodging.

Open for Business: bureaucratic, cheap manufacturing costs, corrupt, favorable tax environment, transparent government practices.

Pathway to permanent employ - grams in place allowing change of status onshore; points for com - spouse/partner; bonus points for - try of study.

As with the euphoria of victory from voters who had chosen the winning presidential candidate, the ritual of getting up on stage and having on hand the redribboned diploma duplicate is a dream come true for college graduates.

Then reality sinks in. By that and opportunities expired.

permanent resident migration options also study their options on what kind of students they would like to welcome and hold on to.

All that this week would be true at Niagara Falls.