Where else can 23 students and three instructors from China go for a trolley ride, see penguins and a polar bear, and explore parks, farmers’ markets and historical sites — all while building confidence using the English language? Red River College, of course.

The students are in Winnipeg as part of a new pilot program launched this summer by RRC’s International Education office and Language Training Centre. The aim of the program aim is to give students and instructors an opportunity to be immersed in the English language for two weeks.

“Red River College is so proud to share the culture and history of Winnipeg and Manitoba through an immersive language learning opportunity,” says Dr. Christine Crowe, vice-president of Community Development at Red River College.

“After such an exciting experience this summer, we trust these students will plan to come back to Red River College to study.”

Students and staff from the Shenyang Institute of Engineering (SIE) and Shanghai Medical Instrumentation College (SMIC) arrived in Winnipeg on July 28^th, and will spend their time here working through a packed schedule of events and tours. Each day starts with a series of interactive lessons delivered by staff from the Language Training Centre.

“The days are balanced between class time at the Roblin Campus and then (taking the students) into the City so they can start using what they’ve learned in a practical way,” says Eddy Lau, director of International Education at Red River College.

“It’s applied learning, so by the time they leave here, they will be more confident and comfortable when they converse in English,” says Margerit Roger, chair of the Language Training Centre. “So far, the training and experiences have been well received by the students, and the pilot is going really well — the students are enjoying every aspect of the city and the province.”

To date, the students have attended a Winnipeg Goldeyes game, visited the historic Forks Market, and spent an afternoon at Assiniboine Park. In their final week of training they will spend a full day at Lower Fort Garry, visit a farmers’ market, tour the Manitoba Legislature, and see many of the technical training facilities at Red River College.

The students will be in Winnipeg from July 29 to August 8. During that time they will live in the new student residence in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, and take classes at Red River College’s Roblin Campus.

Click here to see a photo gallery of the visiting students’ experiences in Winnipeg.