For What It Was and What It Meant: A Farewell to International Development
A photo collage of Centennial College’s International Development post-graduate cohort of 2022-2023. (Created by Nivar Gardi, photo credit to multiple sources).
With a grateful heart and teary eyes, the program coordinator of Centennial College’s International Development post-graduate program bid farewell with one last heartfelt presentation. As an alumnus of the program, I attended the final International Development Week (IDW) conference on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, and was shocked and saddened by the low turnout.
Two years ago, I helped organize the IDW conference with my classmates. The Event Centre was so packed you couldn’t find a place to sit. The event used to be a major spectacle for students to network with NGOs, and listen to diverse panels from members of different organizations, such as Save the Children Canada and Global Affairs Canada.
We were a small class of 20 people representing 11 countries: Afghanistan, Argentina, Bhutan, Canada, Colombia, India, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, and the Philippines, with diverse ethnic backgrounds within those countries — Kurdish, Hong Konger, and Tibetan, among others. Not to mention, we were all multilingual, speaking at least 1.5 languages per person.
Our classroom reflected Canada’s multicultural mosaic, something we, as Canadians, take great pride in. We were a mini United Nations.
Academically, the program was rigorous, with six to seven courses per semester. Our professors gave us their all, working tirelessly to help us understand and engage with complex global issues. On top of that, we took on extracurricular activities and volunteered with various non-profit organizations to gain experience in the sector.
This program wasn’t just about academics — it was a journey of self-discovery. It was the first time I moved out of my family home, the first time I was surrounded by such a diverse group of international students. I learned how to network, how to lead, and how to communicate across cultures. I found my voice as an advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ rights and gained the confidence to stand up for what I believed in. I built friendships that mean the world to me.
More than anything, I learned how to be brave and resilient. I learned to keep going despite adversity. I developed a global mindset and truly became a global citizen.
Without this program, I would not be the person I am today, and that is why it has taken me weeks to figure out how to say goodbye to it.
Despite its impact, this program fell victim to the recent policy changes by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which led to its cancellation, along with 48 other programs at Centennial College.
I just went through a year’s worth of memories, videos, and photos from my time in the program, and I couldn’t stop smiling. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to create such precious memories, and it’s heartbreaking that there won’t be future students to continue creating more.
One video, in particular, caught my eye — I had forgotten about it. It was only the second month of our program, and we were still getting to know each other. One of our classmates was celebrating a birthday, and we gathered in Centennial’s Marketplace between classes. We had gotten her a cake, and suddenly, we all took turns singing “Happy Birthday” in different languages — Dari, Nepali, Spanish, and Kurdish. What was funny was that Spanish was sung twice because of the differences between the Colombian and Argentinian versions, something even they hadn’t realized until they started singing. It was such a wholesome moment.
Throughout the year, the sweet sounds of English, Hindi, Spanish, Nepali, Tagalog, and Malayalam echoed through the classroom walls.
Our minds were curious and open. We celebrated each other’s holidays, learned each other’s dances, and listened to each other’s cultural music. We shared snacks and dishes from our diverse backgrounds.
One might assume that with so many different countries represented, there would be vast differences between us. But in reality, we all wanted the same things in life. We were united in our goal of making the world a safer, more sustainable, and more beautiful place for everyone.
Together, we traveled to Chile, all expenses paid by the college. It was an incredible experience. We visited the UNHCR (ACNUR), the Embassy of Canada to Chile, and several social enterprises and small non-profits. We explored the history and culture of Santiago de Chile through guided walking and cycling tours. That trip brought us closer, strengthening the bonds that carried us through our final semester together.
I could go on and on about how impactful this program was — not only for me and my classmates but also for Centennial’s community, the Greater Toronto Area, and beyond.
This program shaped who I am today, and it’s heartbreaking that future students won’t have the same opportunity. International development is essential, and so are the international students who come here to pursue it. They are not pawns in a game of chess, nor should they be unfairly scapegoated. Every student — domestic or international — deserves stability and access to world-class education.
As I say goodbye, I carry forward everything this program gave me, and I hope its impact will live on through those of us lucky enough to have been part of it. As A.A. Milne eloquently said in The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
