Building on an International Degree with a Canadian Credential
“Do not be hesitant. Register. It is worth it to add Canadian credentials.”
— Abdel Halim H., Academy of Learning Career College – Scarborough, McCowan and 401, Class of 2010
Do you have to start over with education in Canada if you already hold an international degree?
Not necessarily. Abdel already had an international pharmacy degree and chose to earn a Canadian credential at Academy of Learning Career College while continuing to work toward his longer-term career goals in Canada. Below is the story he shared with us.
Going back to school while working toward a career in Canada
When Abdel Halim H. came to Academy of Learning Career College, he already had an educational background he was proud of: a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy earned internationally.
But like many internationally educated professionals building a career in Canada, Abdel saw value in adding a Canadian credential to his existing education.
“I wanted to earn an additional Canadian credential beside my international Pharmacy Bachelor,” Abdel says.
For him, continuing his education was an opportunity to strengthen his qualifications, gain Canadian experience and work toward better career opportunities and earning potential.
Before starting at Academy of Learning Career College, Abdel was already focused on his next professional step. He was preparing for the qualifying and evaluation exams connected to pursuing pharmacy in Canada.
Rather than putting everything else on hold while studying for those exams, Abdel began looking for another way to continue developing his skills and credentials.
“I was preparing for the qualifying exam and, while studying for the exam, I was looking to earn a Canadian credential,” he explains.
For internationally trained professionals, this can be a familiar situation. You may already have years of education or professional experience from another country, while still needing to understand how your background fits into the Canadian job market.
For Abdel, going back to school was not about replacing the education he already had. It was about continuing to build on it.
Finding a learning environment that fit his life
Returning to school also meant finding a program that could work alongside Abdel’s other responsibilities.
He says the schedule and flexibility at Academy of Learning Career College worked well with his lifestyle and allowed him to balance school with the other things he needed to manage.
“The flexibility was good and matched my lifestyle and responsibilities,” he says.
That ability to balance different priorities was important while Abdel continued preparing for his professional exams and working toward his longer-term career goals.
Feeling welcomed and supported
One of the things that surprised Abdel most was the environment he encountered when he started his studies.
He remembers the staff being welcoming and treating students well, and he was pleased with the content of the curriculum.
“The staff were nice, the treatment was good and I really appreciated the welcoming behaviour,” he says. “The curriculum content was also good.”
Support from instructors and advisors also helped him navigate his studies. Abdel says staff helped him understand which classes and requirements he needed to complete and supported him in staying on track.
That guidance made it easier to manage his course load while continuing to work toward completing his program.
Having your progress recognized
For Abdel, one of the memorable parts of his experience was seeing student achievement acknowledged.
Recognition can matter when you are working toward a new beginning professionally, particularly when you are adapting your previous education and experience to a new country.
He appreciated seeing strong academic achievement recognized and seeing capable students connected with employment opportunities.
It reinforced one of the reasons he had decided to pursue a Canadian credential in the first place: creating more opportunities to gain Canadian work experience and ultimately find a good job.
His advice to other internationally educated students
For someone who already has education from another country, enrolling in another program can feel like a major decision.
Is another credential worth it? Will it help? Can you manage school alongside work, family or professional exams?
Abdel understands that hesitation. His advice is simple:
“Do not be hesitant. Register. It is worth it to add Canadian credentials.”
His experience is a reminder that returning to school does not erase everything you accomplished before coming to Canada. A Canadian credential can instead become another part of your education and career story.
Looking ahead
Abdel’s goal was never simply to collect another credential.
He wanted to use his education as a step toward gaining Canadian experience, improving his career opportunities and finding a good job.
For anyone with an international degree, professional experience or a previous career, Abdel’s journey shows one possible path forward: continue building on what you already know while gaining skills that remain relevant in today’s workforce.
Abdel Halim H. attended Academy of Learning Career College – Scarborough, McCowan and 401 in 2009–2010.
Thinking about your next step?
If you’re considering additional education to support your career goals, explore the programs and study options available at Academy of Learning Career College.
Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.