If you have moved abroad but miss the excellent education that Canadian schools and colleges offer you and your family, one very viable option to consider is distance education. Canadian grad schools and universities host  a vast array of degree and diploma courses to suit even the most discerning of students. Yet, selecting the right program for your needs can be a tough decision to make, especially if you’ve already left the country.Before you hastily sign on the dotted lines of the first course you come across, there are a few things to be consider. How ready are you for beginning a distance education programme? Studying online takes a serious amount of discipline, more so when you are working in a foreign country as an expat, and may have other priorities. You might find yourself hemmed in by a routine, which often precludes any study plans you’ve outlined. If you are committed to the idea of studying, you still need to realistically evaluate your time schedule. Are you working? Do you have a full-time job? Will you be able to study evenings, weekends?Once you can overcome obstacles such as working without immediate supervision, and carving out some time to read, study and prepare assignments, the next step is to find a suitable school or college which teaches the curriculum of your choice.There are a number of sites which provide links to Canadian grad schools, universities, colleges, and technical institutes offering distance education courses. The following are some of the more comprehensive links:www.distanceedcanada.ca/index.cfmwww.athabascau.cawww.learn4good.com/distance_learn/distance_learn_canada.htmwww.canadian-universities.net/Campus/Distance-Education.htmlwww.jobboom.com/conseils/top100_question_01A.html

In researching them, you will need to take into consideration the following points:

Course options: Most of the online distance education courses offered do not need classroom participation. The ones that do include courses which require practical training, such as medicine, lab-work etc. Ask in advance, and the institutes should be happy to provide you with a complete curriculum outline to enable you to make the right decision. Online courses are not necessarily cheap, so it’s important to ensure all your questions are answered before signing up for one.

Course timelines: One of the major benefits of a distance education course is the ability to work at your own pace. Having said this, most courses do have a structure that needs to be followed - study material is provided and assignments are expected to be turned in. Some courses are more flexible than others and give you a longer timeframe to work within. When a course begins is equally important. Most courses will have set start dates depending on the availably of the instructor/s, and not all courses operate through all semesters. A good distance education programme understands the need of its students to juggle career, family and study commitments, and usually tries to work around their schedule.

Course material: How is the course delivered to you? Just because you sign up for a virtual course, does not mean your study material has to be net-driven. A lot of colleges have printed guidebooks and course material which is mailed to you. The same holds true for research options. Granted while most research nowadays is conducted online, certain courses will require specialized material. Check to see if you will have access to the institute’s libraries or reference sites as and when is needed.

Communication tools: Studying via distance education requires a two-way communication system. Nowadays, most everything is done online and by email, but you may need an alternative method of communication, such as Skype, especially if verbal communication is part of the study course. Some other tools to investigate include student forums and chat rooms, customer service option especially to handle technical issues, and the ability to reach your tutor should you have questions.

The final results: This of course is the reason many students take a course- to get certified. It’s important to confirm in advance the kind of certification you will be receiving, and whether it’s accredited. There are a number of ‘fake’ school certifications floating around, and while you may learn something from their courses, you will also be paying for a degree or diploma that is not officially recognized.  Evaluation and assessment of your assignments is equally important and should be done by a recognized tutor. In certain instances, courses can be credited toward a degree at a recognized University.

Financial cost: If you are working, your company may offer to pay part or full-tuition. If not, you may still be able to get a grad school loan or a private loan. Speak to the school’s financial advisor to see what options if any are available. A number of universities and grad schools which offer distance education do have a refund schedule in place should you decide to cancel; however, how much you get back is often at the school’s discretion.

Distance education can be an invaluable tool to furthering your career, and with the varied selection available in the Canadian market, it’s not so much a question of why to begin, as when to begin.

The Canadian Expat Association Tip: Before you begin your application process, ensure you have transcripts from previous courses. Depending on what you opt for, you  may be required to do a placement test or provide letters of recommendations. Having all your notes compiled and bound chronologically will help  make the application process that much easier.

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Categories: Education, Expat Stories
Tags: Canadian Education, Canadian Expat, Distance Education