The hypocrisy of fly-by-night so-called immigration consultants
Dear Editor,
Let me first express my thanks for the wonderful article that you carried on studying in Canada.
Indeed, this article was tremendously facilitated by the frank discussion by Canadian Immigration lawyer Kaisree Chatarpaul. As I read the article, I could not help thinking about unscrupulous fly-by-night so-called immigration consultants who consistently prey on innocent Guyanese.
They are heartless beasts, wolves in sheep’s clothing. They portray themselves as having the expertise to make wrong right as they prey on the vulnerable. I had the opportunity to study in Canada (1994-1996), and I would like to offer some simple advice to all those students who would like to attend university in Ontario, Canada.
If you are university material, you do not have to retain the services of any immigration consultant (at least I never did) to process your student authorisation (student visa). You must be prepared to spend some invaluable time surfing the Internet — it will be for your own good and, above all, your sanity.
I have listed below two important websites that you can access, and you do not have to pay a penny for that. The first is the Ontario University Centre, and on it you can check the list of universities that offer the undergraduate course that you may want to pursue. You can see admission criteria, fees, dormitory facilities etc.
If you are honest with yourself, you will know whether you satisfy the admission requirements or not. If you do not meet those requirements, it is pointless to make an application, since it will be denied and you will lose your processing fee.
Do not forget that you must show proof of funds to cover the entire tuition fees, books, accommodation, clothing, etc. If you meet the prescribed requirements, you must start the admission application process early –preferably by March — for the fall semester which starts in September.
It is an excellent idea if you can be accommodated by relatives, but always agree ahead of time what the monthly cost for accommodation, food etc. will be. The last website is Citizenships and Immigration Canada. You can visit that site and you can read about studying in Canada.
Finally, I wish all prospective students the very best. Remember to always be vigilant; if not, you will all be consumed by the angry tide of dishonest, fly-by-night, so-called immigration consultants.
http://www.ouac.on.ca/105/index.html
http://www.cic.gc.ca/
Aptie Sookoo
