Hi, I am applying the study permit recently. I need some advice on my study plan. Any comments will be appreciated. Thank you.
study plan - Canadian study permit
Dear Visa Officer,
This is the study permit applicant XXX, with nearly four years of work experience in education industry, who was admitted by the UPEI's Master of Education in Leadership in Learning Courses, Global Perspectives program for fall 2022. Here I propose the study plan, hoping that my application could be kindly considered.
The GAP year experience in New Zealand inspired me to devote to the education cause. After working in the field of tourism for two and a half years I applied for the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa, hoping to broaden my horizon. The one-year in-depth experience in New Zealand piqued my interest in the local education system. Therefore, I began to engage in education after I came back to China. I can still remember vividly my first teaching experience as a tutor who instructed children aged between 3 and 6 in an English training institution. Currently, I am working at The British School of Beijing, an international school located in embassy area, which focuses on early childhood and primary education. As teaching assistant(TA), I encourage students to actively participate in learning and classroom activities and provide learning support to individuals and groups while supporting teaching staff. In the future, I aspire to be a teacher in an international school or bilingual school and a distinguishable intercultural educator.
However, my current situation hinders my career development and only full-time further study could quickly break out the current impasse. First of all, most international schools clearly claim that the one who wants to be a teacher must hold an Education degree. And for time saving, I chose the 16-month Master of Education program instead of the 3-4 year bachelor programs. Secondly, I deem it necessary to advance my professional skillet to solve the problems that I encounter in teaching practice. Compared to the thesis-based program, the practical course-based Master of Education program is more suitable for my professional goal, as I can explore theory and practice from the fields of international and comparative education, educational leadership, curriculum and pedagogy, and global education. The Master of Education program is tipped to greatly elevate my competencies as an educator. Thirdly, full-time study is irreplaceable. Despite of my great achievements in work and active online self-study, I still believe that full-time study is inevitable for me. The lack of professional and systematic knowledge results in my difficulty in applying different theories flexibly to guide teaching practice, let alone finding the most suitable way. Even worse, the effect of online self-study is limited. The online courses which are entry-level, scattered and uninteractive, are not designed for deep learning. Only by studying in the global context and engaging in active experiential learning, will my educational leadership and critical reflection ability be highly improved.
As a conclusion, taking a Master of Education program is the best choice for me.
My career object is to become an international school teacher, studying aboard and international diploma will strengthen my employability. Therefore I choose to pursue further study aboard without any hesitation. My current unit, The British School of Beijing, is a British-style school, so I naturally narrow it down to the British Commonwealth of Nations. Plus that I had worked in New Zealand before, I excluded Australia and New Zealand. Compared with UK and Canada, Canada's reasonable tuition and living cost are friendlier for me, let alone the fascinating melting pot cultural, high education quality, sound social security and proper epidemic prevention measure.
UPEI has been noted for its scientific course offering and it has rather high attainments in the field of Education. The innovative MEd in Leadership in Learning Courses, Global Perspectives adds a global perspective to learning leadership in the 21st century context. Through the program, I can not only learn advanced educational ideas, management thinking and system of educational leadership, but also enhance my English proficiency, English thinking and practical ability. Another point that attracts me is the geographical position. The campus is located at Charlottetown, a quiet and beautiful city, which is an ideal learning place. Last but not least, the competitive tuition rate and living expense is friendly for international students than any other Canadian universities. The small-class size ensures the teaching quality. Also, the rich opportunities to engage with local cultures can bridge my learning and previous working experience seamlessly.
I treasure the hard-earned opportunity dearly and have embarked on preparing the study plan once receiving the offer.
During the next two years, I will concentrate on the professional study and study tirelessly. Specifically, I'll attend specialized courses such as Educational Leadership, Leadership in Learning, Action Research in Education, Issues in Educational Leadership, etc. and get the required credits. Through studying relevant curriculum with researchers and expert practitioners, I'll master advanced pedagogical theory, grasp basic technology and methods of modern education management as well as learn to flexibly solve practical problems in teaching practice. I can gain the quality as an effective educational leader and the capacity to make valuable contribution to education. In addition to the course study, I intend to improve problem-solving ability through face-to-face teaching, self-study, discussion and case analysis. If possible, my spare time will be spent on education practice at a local school. Through interaction with students and teachers, my work capacity will advance by leaps and bounds, including the judgment, decision-making ability, strain capacity and organizational capability.
The attractions of Canada cannot shake my resolve to return to Beijing, China. The most important factor is my career planning. With one-year teaching experience, two-year TA experience, and UPEI's Master of Education degree, I am confident to enter an international school or bilingual school as a teacher. Beijing, an international city, gathers plenty of international or bilingual schools, which provides a broad career platform for me. Also, the salary of 36,000 CAD ~ 72,000 CAD per year is triple of my current salary.
Family tie and financial status are the other decisive factors for my returning to China. Our couple have prepared 70,000 CAD, which is totally enough for my tuition and living expenses in Canada. Having married for four years, we have a deep affection for each other. With steady and high annual income (70,000 CAD), my husband is a software engineer at xx company. He is very supportive for my study in Canada and could provide adequate and continuous funding for me. Beyond that, my parents and my parents-in-law are all in China, and I do not have any family tie in Canada.
Considering my study purpose of visiting Canada, my total career plan, my family ties and my financial status in China, coming back is the best and wisest choice for me.
Sincerely yours,
XXX