CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Pursuing Canadian education opens the world to international student

Conestoga gave Brazilian student Victor Barbosa Nogueira the opportunity to study at the top college in Ontario and immerse himself in Canadian culture, as well as learn about countries all around the world from his fellow international classmates.

"Even though I came to Canada, I'm not just learning about Canadian culture. I'm learning from a lot of cultures as well because we're so diverse here," said Barbosa Nogueira, who came to Canada in December 2022. "In my class, I would make friends from all over the world and I could share with them my experiences, and they shared their experiences so I learned a lot from different countries even though I am here in Canada."

Barbosa Nogueira's dream to study abroad became reality when he began the Software Engineering Technology three-year advanced diploma at Conestoga, which he chose for its ideal location in the heart of Silicon Valley North (Waterloo Region) and the college's strong ties to the local innovation sector.

Currently, Barbosa Nogueira is in his third co-op placement as a product support analyst at locally based global software company D2L following two co-ops at Conestoga's Virtual and Augmented Reality Lab (VARLab), which specializes in creating digital learning simulations for students and training solutions for industry partners.

The invaluable learning experience students gain in co-op placements by putting classroom learning into real-world practice is a priority at Conestoga, which offers more than 85 co-op programs in various disciplines and credentials from degrees to diplomas. Barbosa Nogueira's co-op experiences have greatly boosted his confidence in finding professional success after graduation.

"Now I am very comfortable on finding a job because I can explain a lot of things from a technical perspective, and it was all due to the theory that I learned in the program and the first two terms of the co-op."

Barbosa Nogueira found needed assistance securing employment from Conestoga's Student Success advisors, who offered individualized tips on tailoring his resume and interviewing, and the college's online job openings platform narrowed his search.

He also appreciates the many other supports available to students, including a medical clinic, counselling services and conversation circles for students like himself learning English as a second language. "Even if you don't use it, just knowing it's there gives you comfort."

Barbosa Nogueira was impressed by the Waterloo campus and its amenities, including the Esports hub for recreational and varsity gaming, a restaurant operated by hospitality and culinary students, and the top-of-the-line technology and equipment for the career-focused programs from information and communications technology to skilled trades.

Conestoga was ranked the best college in Ontario in 2025 by CourseCompare, which celebrated the wide variety of options available to students including more degree programs than any other college outside the Greater Toronto Area and their success after graduation. More than 90 per cent of Conestoga students find work within six months of graduation, and 92.3 per cent of employers were very satisfied with their graduates. Conestoga has the highest graduation rate in Ontario at 72 per cent, and 80.7 per cent of students are satisfied with their experience.

"I'm very grateful to Conestoga College because everything I've ever needed, they were able to provide me," Barbosa Nogueira said.

Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning is a public college established in Kitchener, Ontario in 1967. The college expanded significantly to deliver in-demand career and skills training in eight communities and their surrounding areas in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Brantford, Milton, Stratford and Ingersoll. The college delivers a comprehensive range of career-focused programs including diplomas, degrees and post-graduate certificates.

This article was first published by The PIE.