About the IEC

The International Education Centre provides a range of programs and services tailored to support and enhance the experience of our global students. Committed to holistic learning, we strive to meet the diverse needs of our global students while ensuring compliance with changing government policy related to immigration and international student support from authorized educational agents.

On this page:

 

 

IEC Services

Immigration Support
  • Immigration advice from an International Student Immigration Advisor, including Permanent Residence advising within three years of graduation;

  • Support and advice related to studying and working in Canada, including aid in applying for a study or work permit;

Notary

  • A notary is available, offering free notarization, commissioning, and certification services for students, including certified copies of original documents, affidavits, and statutory declarations

Health Insurance

  • We provide comprehensive support for international students, offering free notary services and assisting with University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) matters. These services help international students navigate important documentation and health coverage requirements during their academic journey in Canada.

Study Abroad Opportunities

  • We provide exciting study abroad opportunities through the UTM Exchange and UTM Abroad programs. These programs enable students to earn credits while experiencing new cultures, traveling, and developing global competencies, with options for both short-term and semester-long international experiences.

Working in Canada
  • Requirements to work in Canada as an International Student
  • Support with obtaining your:
International Student Programs & Events
  • We offer comprehensive programs like the Transition Coaching Program and International Student Mentorship Program (ISMP), designed to support international students' academic and social success, while also hosting various events to foster community building and help students make meaningful connections during their time at UTM.
Intercultural Development
  • We offer comprehensive intercultural development programs and services, including the Global and Intercultural Fluency Training Series (GIFTS), Cultural Fusion Fridays, and individualized Intercultural Development Inventory assessments, designed to enhance intercultural competence for students, staff, and faculty across the campus community.

These are just a few areas in which the International Education Centre can provide you with assistance. We understand that what is familiar to us may be new and complex to you. We are here to help you maximize your study experience.

Meet the IEC Staff

The International Education Centre (IEC) at the University of Toronto Mississauga is staffed by a diverse team of dedicated professionals committed to supporting international students and fostering global learning opportunities. Our staff includes specialists in immigration advising, student transition support, global mobility, intercultural development, and more. Each team member brings unique expertise to help international students thrive academically and socially, while also promoting intercultural competence across the campus community. To learn more about our staff and their roles, please explore our individual profiles below:

Veronica, Director of IEC

Veronica Vasquez (she/her)

Director

The IEC Director provides strategic leadership and support to the department’s professional and student staff in delivering programs and services that support international students to help them thrive at UTM, global learning opportunities to help all students broaden their horizons, and intercultural programs that help UTM celebrate our global community.

Andrew, Acting Assistant Director

Andrew Sedmihradsky (he/him)

Acting Assistant Director, Intercultural and Global Initiatives

The Acting Assistant Director provides strategic support to the IEC’s programs focused on international 
students’ sense of belonging at UTM, building intercultural awareness among all students, and creating 
opportunities for students to internationalize their experience.

Cristina, Assistant Director

Cristina Puha (she/her)

Assistant Director, International Student Supports

The Assistant Director, International Student Supports leads the IEC’s advising, coaching and career development services for international students to help them thrive and meet their goals at UTM and beyond. Cristina works collaboratively with campus partners and external services to help international students build community at UTM.

Arshdeep Bindra

Arshdeep Bindra (he/him)

International Student Advisor

The International Student Advisor works with students to provide certified advice on immigration matters. They support international students' transition through workshops, sessions, and one-to-one advising tailored to their specific needs at UTM. Arsh also works with varying student pathways, providing support and advising on all matters related to life at UTM and Canada.

Carolina Pombo

Carolina Pombo

Career Counsellor, International

The Career Counselor helps students explore career options, identify career pathways, and develop networking skills to help international students build a career in Canada and all students explore global career options.

Christine Nguyen

Christine Nguyen (she/her)

Student Development Coordinator, International Programs 

The Student Development Coordinator, International Programs creates programs that help international 
students build skills and community, and provide opportunities for all students to foster intercultural awareness. Christine also supports the programming & events student staff.

Jonathan Davis

Jonathan Davis (he/him)

Research and Assessment Analyst

The Research and Assessment Analyst utilizes research and assessment practices to support student learning by measuring learning outcomes and the effectiveness of the programs, services, and resources within the International Education Centre and fellow Student Experience departments. 

Karolina, Special Projects

Karolina Kujszczyk (she/her)

Global Mobility Coordinator

The Global Mobility Coordinator supports UTM students interested in global learning opportunities, from UTM Abroad to Exchange. Karolina also provides mentorship and supervises the global learning student staff.  

Lucille Yi

Lucille Yi (she/her)

Employment Strategist, International

From resume critiques to interview preparation, the employment strategist supports students seeking 
employment by tailoring their programs and advice to the unique needs of international students at UTM. 

Photo Placeholder for Professional Staff Headshot

Megan Stevenson (she/her)

International Student Advisor

The International Student Advisor works with international students to provide advice and support on all matters related to life at UTM and Canada. Megan is certified to provide immigration advice and support a range of 
international student needs, from the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) and Social Insurance Number (SIN) to adjusting to life in Canada.

Nadia, Immigration Advisor

Nadia Mihailuk (she/her)

International Experience Special Projects Coordinator

The Special Projects Coordinator focuses on projects and initiatives that support the development of global learning opportunities, department-wide process improvements, and innovative supports that enhance the international student experience. Nadia also supports the special projects student staff.

Pamela Amurun's photo

Pamela Amurun (she/her)

Assistant International Education Administrator

The Assistant International Education Administrator provides front-line support to those who interact with the IEC, supports department operations, and leads the IEC’s communications. Pam also supports the 
operations and marketing student staff.

Rebeca Mahadeo

Rebeca Mahadeo (she/her)

Supervisor, Intercultural Fluency and International Student Development.

The Supervisor, Intercultural Fluency and International Student Development, creates spaces for discussion, learning, and celebration of our campus' intercultural nature and oversees a team dedicated to improving the international student experience.

Sue, Global Mobility Coordinator

Sue Romulo (she/her)

Global Mobility Coordinator

The Global Mobility Coordinator supports UTM students interested in global learning opportunities, from UTM Abroad to Exchange. Sue also provides mentorship and supervises the global learning student staff.  

Gilbert Lin

Gilbert Lin (he/him)(on-leave)

Assistant Director, Intercultural and Global Initiatives

The Assistant Director provides strategic support to the IEC’s programs focused on international students’ sense of belonging at UTM, building intercultural awareness among all students, and creating opportunities for students to internationalize their experience.

Romona, IEC

Romona Mangal (she/her) (on-leave)

International Education Administrator

The International Education Administrator provides front-line supports to those who interact with the IEC, they support the department operations, and lead the IEC’s communications. As such, they support the operations and marketing student staff.

Sherice Robertson

Sherice Robertson (she/her)(on-leave)

International Students Transition Coach

The International Students Success Coach works with international students to help them to set clear goals, build skills, and support their overall transition and success at UTM. As such, they support the peer coaching student staff.

Zarina M

Zarina Mamadbekova (she/her)(on-leave)

Student Development Coordinator, International Programs 

The SDC, International Programs creates programs for international students to engage in skill development and community building as well as opportunities for all students to foster their intercultural awareness. As such, they support the programming & events student staff.

Goals & Outcomes

Goal One: Assist our students in internationalizing their degree at home to broaden their global perspective.

Student Outcomes:
  • develop cultural awareness and understanding
  • build global networks
  • learn a new language
  • reflect on personal values and beliefs
  • develop internationally transferrable skills
  • interpret multiple perspectives

Goal Two: Strengthen the transition experience of our international students to help them meet their goals.

Student Outcomes:
  • learn about Canada (e.g. transit, healthcare, etc.)
  • understand immigration responsibilities
  • gain Canadian volunteer and work experience
  • navigate permanent residency in Canada 

Goal Three: Engage more of our students in international opportunities abroad to enhance their personal growth, educational experience, and professional opportunities. 

Student Outcomes:
  • establish a greater sense of independence  
  • immerse in a different culture
  • enhance employability 
  • develop cultural awareness and understanding
  • build global networks
  • learn a new language
  • reflect on personal values and beliefs
  • develop internationally transferrable skills
  • interpret multiple perspectives

Connect with the IEC!

We invite you to connect with the International Education Centre at UTM! Whether you're an international student seeking support, interested in study abroad opportunities, or looking to enhance your intercultural competence, our team is here to help. Visit our Contact Us page to find out how to reach us via email, phone, or in person. We look forward to assisting you on your global learning journey!

 

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