Okanagan College (OC) is situated in the stunning Okanagan region with wineries, lakes, mountains, and more surrounding the amazing campuses in 4 different cities, it’s where you’re dreaming to study. Students can take the winter breaks off to ski and study outside in the summer and spring months! Also, OC offers some fantastic programs in diverse areas such as computer information systems, business administration, culinary management, commercial aviation, and so much more. All student needs and wants are met by OC and stunning BC surroundings.
Okanagan College Beginnings
Established in 1963, Okanagan College serves the Okanagan and Shuswap regions in South-Central British Columbia. This is a stunning region of British Columbia, full of lakes, and mountains. All are great for outdoor activities to get to know Canada’s beautiful natural environment. As a public post-secondary institution, the College became a University-College in 1990. In 2005, the government decided to establish a campus of the University of British Columbia (now UBC Okanagan) at one of the Kelowna locations and Okanagan College was re-established.
Stunning Campuses Region-Wide
The comprehensive institution has campuses in four cities – Penticton in the South Okanagan, Kelowna in the Central Okanagan, Vernon in the North Okanagan and Salmon Arm in the Shuswap. Each campus is unique and serves the local community as well as students from other parts of the country and international students. The Kelowna campus sits alongside wineries, farms, lakes, and trendy restaurants in this beachfront city – a great atmosphere for students to get to know each other.
Student Population at Okanagan College
Of the current 10,000 students attending the four campuses, over 1,700 students are international from 60 different countries. This has grown exponentially since international activities began over 30 years ago with small groups of students from Libya and Japan. Current international students are from around the globe including Asia, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Southern hemisphere. What a great, diverse mix of individuals! A great chance for international and domestic students to make friends from around the world.
Available Programs, Transfers and More
OC offers programs ranging from English as a Second Language through to completion of four-year degrees. Two-year diploma programs are offered in Health, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Animation, and more. There are also two-year University transfer programs in Arts or Science (Associate Degrees). Students completing university transfer programs often go on to complete their four-year degrees at top tier universities.
Okanagan College’s Stunning Setting
The region is home to over 400,000 residents with half residing in Kelowna and West Kelowna. The Okanagan Valley is a very popular year-round tourist destination due to the weather. Warm dry summers and a mild winter with enough snow in the surrounding mountains for skiing and snowboarding. The region has four world-class ski resorts offering winter activities as well as off-season recreation. Students often take advantage of a Friday bus (from the Kelowna campus) to Big White Ski Resort for inexpensive night skiing.
The warm dry climate, similar to that in deserts, is perfect for growing grapes for the renowned wine industry. Fresh local fruits and vegetables, grown in orchards and farms, which are part of the scenery, are available at farmers markets and in many of the farm-to-table restaurants. The apples, peaches, pears, grapes, cherries, and other fresh fruits are shipped around the globe. Summer sees the population of the Okanagan bursting as tourists come to enjoy the amazing surroundings. The average temperatures in the winter are about 0 Celsius and the summer average is about 30 Celsius. Of course, locals know that some days can reach 40 Celsius in the summer and some winter days can be -20 Celsius.
Social Media Handles for OC
Okanagan College International Education has a social media mascot – Ringo, the name coming from the famous Okanagan apple. Visit, Ringo’s Instagram @OC_Ringo to see Ringo visiting various spots in the Okanagan and on campus. You can also follow Okanagan College International Education Instagram @okanaganinternational.
Okanagan College (OC) is an outstanding institution sitting in one of the most stunning areas of British Columbia. So, with amazing programs, and numerous opportunities to experience Canada’s great outdoors, international students will have the experience of a lifetime at Okanagan College while learning a worthwhile degree or certificate. Please watch for a future article that will provide more information about the programs, services, and uniqueness of Okanagan College in more detail, and get you the answers you need about all things OC!
