Reviews of Columbia International College (School)

Boobly

Pretty good school. If you're a good kid trying achieve something in your life, this is a great school for you. Wish everyone a great start of the new semester with in-person classes after this COVID-19 pandemic!

Daron Mauricette

To be honest, it helped me get to university, but the school has some deep problems deserving a one star. Send your child here if you want them to constantly tell everyone how thru barely survived.

Rylynn -

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GUANTING DU DU

Very good school! You will feel at home here. Teachers and staff will try their best to help you and solve your problems. The school will be considerate for students not only in study but also in life. In terms of learning, there are excellent teachers and good courses, and my friends have been to great universities. The school will arrange extracurricular activities, such as spring outing, field running, skill learning and so on. As an international student, I am very satisfied with this school, which has relieved my worries and successfully admitted to my favorite university. I recommend you to come here!!

Aamir Malik

This place is JOKE Security guard (rude) wont let you speak to any one because of COVD.(joke) I clearly see people sitting inside but they are too busy apparently to provide information No phone number No emails response What are waste of time stay away.

Đăng Khôi Phạm

"Very good" place to go! Come here, "Study" and try to survive!

Ned Hoang

"Good" school

Nana Boncano

I was in this school for the last five years (Grade 7-12) and I'm so glad my parents brought me here. Most of the staff and teachers are kind and I made so many memories in this school. I also believe this school makes the path to university much easier as the school has relations to some of the top universities in Canada. The only downside was the food got repetitive at times but in my opinion, it was very worth it and I would recommend bringing your kids to this school :) I'm really going to miss it

Edward Liu (Edward)

If I could give a zero star, I’ll definitely do!!! The school is just a joke, principles do not care the growth of students, but more care about how much they earn and how to remain their freaking reputation. Some of the teachers ain’t well educated, I have had a teacher who were originally teaching PE, and now she is teaching biology and English. Sometimes teachers give marks to students only based on their mood, not the students’ ability. In conclusion, whether you wish to be working here or studying here, there are bunch of good places for you, just don’t come to this place.

Ying Sun

Simply one of the top high schools in Canada for international students. Tons of students spend a year there and went to University of Toronto. Actually this school has the highest number of graduates going to Waterloo, McMaster and UofT than any other school in the world, hundreds of them every year! Students services are great too, the meals are good and residences are even better than university dormitories. I've visited the school many times and find it very safe living on the campus. Keep up the great work, Kudos from a fellow Hamiltonian!

Zhihao Ou

Staffs and teachers here are super nice. Tho the COVID affects me a lot, still wanna thx to everyone helps me achieve success. :)

Nick

Worst college in Canada. Security guy is the worst as well.

Chipo Mwanza

One of the best moments of my life where I met life long friends that are now getting married and are working. I have also graduated from Science at uottawa. Colombia really helps you settle into Canada and provides you with the opportunity to discover your passions and pursue them.

Nguyen Hieu

Fine food and fine service

Fen H

I learnt nothing here; couldn’t blend into Canadian culture nor learn more English. 80% students were rich spoiled Chinese kids who spend their parents money and buy fake university diplomas. I learnt more Chinese slangs than anything. This school doesn’t prepare their students for the life after graduation. 10 years after graduating from here, most of the people I know either went back to their country or still in some kind of school, continuing spending their parents’ money.

Huynh Le

Hi, i have been here since October, 2018 and i think CIC is one of the best private high school i have ever attended to. When i first came here, everything was quite strange to me but then i could get used to it with the assistance of school's staff and students. I would have to say that everyone in this school is so generous and helpful thus i am not getting homesick anymore as i can come and talk to them whenever i want. The education in here is also great as it gives me a good preparation for university in the future. So, if you are wondering which school to choose for your kids, i strongly recommend CIC is the best option for you.

Ok Jimmy

2 Liaison officer: Ms. Kate Le, Ms. Sabrina Trinh is extremely enthusiastic, approachable and caring to help Vietnamese students with all her might. Tlove CIC

Sandyjass Randhawa

They are fraud i booked my ielets exam on February 6,2021 they canceled exam because of covid they didn’t refund my payment i paid by paypal its almost one and half month am waiting for my refund.

Maria Sanchez

The best school ever. Made friends for life there.

Ashish Rishi

Booked ielts test here and requested for headsets. The representative said that its not our problem and you cannot anything to change that.

JIARUI WANG

Great school and every staff is patient, thank you so much

Anna Massa

The best experience. The professors and the staff are very attentive. They get you when you ask for help, they care about your well-being. The classes are very interactive and well structured. The advisors are very available when you call for them. The environment is very organized, such as its sectors, the schedule of the bus and the meal plan. The residences are welcoming, safe and comfortable. The students, at least when I was there haha, were very welcoming and cool. The student life is great, I recommend getting involved in clubs and sports because, besides you have time to do something you like, which makes you feel good, it is a good opportunity to make friends. There is a good variety of courses, where there are the mandatories and electives. Both are great if you participate in class, which for me was the main thing. If you pay attention in class, participate, do your homework well done and study for the tests, you probably will do great, and adding it all up, your grades will be very good. Mine, for example, was from 81% to 95% because I dedicated, paying attention, participating and completing all my tasks well done. About the money, if you are an international student will be somehow expensive depending on your financial condition. However, it is completely worth it if you focus and dedicate yourself to it.

Crystal Yin

Had such a great time there! Love all of my teachers. I dont know about other ppl, all I know is that you shouldnt be complaining when the only reason you didnt get a good market is you didnt put effort to school work.

Pourvi Chandwaney

Although I was only there as an online student, the staff and teachers were always so pleasant and accommodating, helping me throughout my time at CIC!

Charming Jordon

It is just a garbage school! Absolutely! First and foremost, there is a wide spread of discrimination between staff and students, especially Chinese students. Besides, it is very funny that the staff ask students to work efficiently while the staff all work inefficiently when they serve students. Last but not least, the school is trying various of method to access to your wallet!!! Very surprise, right? To conclude, choosing CIC means choosing failure.

Nestor Khashba

This place is cursed. Please, keep your kids safe, they don’t deserve this.

Hadrian Wong

If u want to smoke, welcome to cic

Gilya Samwel

The college seems to be very good. I have never attended the school rather seeing it on the internet. I have a dream to attend grade 12 in CIC. But the fees are way bigger to me. I come from East africa,Tanzania where here education is very affordable. But I prefer CIC. I wish they had a system of a certain sort of scholarship or fees waiver to some students who wish and willing to attend CIC based on their financial need but in need to get educated in CIC. I personally wish to come and may this message go direcgly to the principal of the college, I need a fees waivee and I promise ro be loyal to the Canadian laws and promise to give it back for the benefit of the CIC. To say in short...CIC seems the best!!

Pastor Tom

Beautiful School! Attended my daughter's graduation. It was beautiful. I'm very glad my daughter attended the school...I'll recommend it for Its TOTALCARE PROG.

Ann Yamada

This school is full of racism, thacher don't now how to teach, the cours are sucks, the foods are disaster, and the most frustrated is you will never get a nice WIFI. DON'T EVER JOIN THIS DAMN SCHOOL, otherwise you will regret.

Francis .Blain

Do not under any circumstances send your kid to Columbia International College. It is a marketing ploy. All of their classes are geared for English as a second language kids so you won't learn anything if you speak English well. The food is nasty, and the teachers are mean and unfair. I remember having to sign petitions to get the food to improve when I attended. I had several teachers that I had to put under review by the principal and the Ministry of Education. Two of my final marks were increased because the teachers were not honest when marking my papers. If you haven't been attending for years and you get better marks than students who have been there for years or Chinese students (the owner is Chinese and doesn't like to see other races beat Chinese students), they try to lower your marks any way they can so the other students can pass you. Hamilton is also a corrupt and run-down city with nothing to do. If you go to Columbia, you will regret it. They are high on advertising but low on quality.

Clara Dao

The school is great. I spent 8 months there and I would say if you're hard working, determined and know how to stand out, you'll have a great time. I met a lot of wonderful friends, teachers and staff. Now I graduate and I'll miss it. I guess most of the bad reviews are from those who didn't care about the school work so it makes sense that they got bad marks and blamed the teachers. Anyway, the food and residence are decent, i enjoy it no matter what. Most of the staff are dedicated and really care about the students. To sum up, experience is mostly what you make of it, so stay positive and determined, and you'll have a great and memorable time of your life there.

Nguyen Tan Phat Ly

great school

SeedoSimba

Great experience no doubt. However a school like CIC should offer library databases for their students instead of looking up google scholar which usually leads to an incomplete research. That results in students not getting fully prepared for the post-secondary school. I ask CIC to offer their students such basic services especially when the fees are over the average and expensive.

yemisi coast

I've read through all the reviews here and feel I had to say something. The bad reviews are pretty much people looking for someone to blame for their mishaps other than themselves. I'm in CIC presently and really enjoying it. It's building in me qualities of perseverance, determination and the ability to stay focused when there are things around me to be distracted by. I've made friends from so many different cultures here and it's cultivating in me the appreciation of diversity. The food they serve can sometimes be repelling(especially if you're from an African nation and not used to such a diverse menu). But you will survive!!! The work load can be stressful, but I promise it's worth it. Just put in your best for the sake of your parents who are paying thousands of dollars for it. Come into this knowing your intentions or else you might fall to the wayside. Cause the school's not gonna be picking up after you. You make your own decisions and face the consequences for it. It's advice. Take it twice.

Matt Dedatha

Coming into CIC, I had always expected for these 6 months to fly by in a blink of an eye. At first, I believed that this phase in my life would have only been short-lived. However, CIC continued to surpass my expectations by giving me an experience worth remembering for the rest of my life. CIC impacted me in ways that I could have never imagined, and as short as this journey is, it has been one of the greatest and most important journeys of my life.

Giovanna

I'll never forget this place ♥ The people are awesome and always ready to help, thanks to all the staff for making me feel like home. I've never been so happy in my life as when I went there, for a Summer Camp Program, in 2014. I loved everything about this place, I still do and I can't wait to visit again.

Jeremy Bell

great place to work everyone is really friendly and helpful

Thomas Z.

Worse education, awful food service, expensive accommodation. Don’t choose this school

7-11 slurpee

Actually, it's an awesome school that help us settle down in Canada.

Loyal Lad

The first time I feel need to leave my review, cause if at least one potential student will not come to this school by using my friendly advice - so I will know that I did something good in my life

chris moffat

It's an excellent facility and a great place to work

Febrian

Incredible school. i went there for a year and it was the best school year of my life disciplined . they teach you to be hard working and the teachers (most) are just awesome yes the quality of the dorm & food is shite but it was a great exp i would go back and do it all over again at CIC

vanderson jose

Good

TAM MINH NGUYEN

I love CIC’s SD, Liason, Tutor, etc departments

yiyue Deng

CC is the largest boarding school in Ontario. It has a large campus with great facilities and beautiful scenery. The school is very considerate of its students. The teachers are very responsible, friendly and helpful. CIC is a great place to study, a great place to experience group life, and a great springboard to university.

Fiona Wang

To be honest, CIC is a terrible school . Full of bullying and insults .when u trying to report that u were-facing some serious problems like racism or the unfair evaluation of the grades, school will never give u an answer,they just walked away. Further, teachers in that school even worse recent years. Some of them have strong bias on Asian students. All I want to say is CIC owes all international students a sincerely apology.

Bon bah Merci

Business school for students. Treat not good

Arshia

Its a great school and I had very good experience in it, they have great teachers and great staff and I recommend cic to others

Fatma Aliyeva

Here is very good.????

Daniel Ma

Don't come to this school! you will regret, they always care about your money in many respects.

M R

Staff is rude and irrational.

Anonymous User

Scores are based of the attitude of the teachers. If you're lucky (which is most likely not the case), then good for you! You can get your good grades and of course a wonderful time attending the school. But if you're just slightly unlucky, then too bad. Your average will get dragged down (even if it is grade 12) and the 'worse' teachers wouldn't even care about you at all. I do have one or two friends who got lucky and had gotten really good teachers (in attitude aspects and gives reasonable marks based on your performance). But most of us, we can just sit there and watch our lives burnt into ashes due to the poor standardized marking schemes set by the problematic teachers in the school. I personally met a lot while taking only 6 courses in this school and it wasn't the best experience. Did i also mention that scoring systems and teachers aren't everything that's bad (from my own experience)? From residence to food to staff, you can totally get a better deal somewhere else. All in all, if you want to test your luck, attend this school at your own cost. I'm not trying to force you into not attending this school.

Nguyen Son

If you want to be a Chinese, please come to this school, they speak Chinese very well in Canada. The students are able to help you speak some Chinese such as Cao Ni Ma, Shabi.

Ngọc Nguyễn

I have been studying here since August 2019 and I really enjoy the time I stay here. The school has celebrated many events related to diversity in culture, which I like the most. On top of that, the staffs and teachers are really friendly, especially liaisons. I can talk with my liaison in my own language when I have anything that needs help:3

Justin Ma

I studied at Columbia International College (CIC) for the past 3 years and just graduated in May 2021. I am admitted to the University of Toronto. CIC is a boarding school with a unique total care system that support me inside and outside of my classroom learning. House parent in residence are extremely supportive at all times regardless of who you are and where you are from. I felt very welcome and well cared for during my three years in residence. CIC helped me to fulfill my dream of admission to my university choice. More important is the atmosphere at CIC. We had fun and enjoyable time while working towards our goal. The program of studies has a lot of flexibilities and I found the courses I loved and enjoyed. Moving on, even during pandemic, CIC has lots of co-curricular activities that allowed me to make many friends. Check out our Instagram. I have opportunities to build up my confidence and leadership skills. The activities are valued by many of the world’s top universities. Not to mention, if you are easily stressed about your academic or social life, CIC have a free counselling service. I used it once myself during the pandemic and I find it very helpful. With all the support and resources CIC provides, my parents and I have nothing to worry about covid safety, academic success and personal life skill issues. I am glad my parents and I chose CIC three years ago. We made the right decision.

minh tống

This is an awesome school. Columbia International College is the best representation of Canada: diversity. Students and staffs come from different countries and they are very friendly to new comers. You will feel comfortable at CIC.

Ximena García de León Treviño

Great school that makes you grow not only educationally, but also as a person. Educationally, all the teachers I had were experts in the subject and at the same time really nice. Personally, there's a huge variety of clubs to get in and develop extra-curricular activities, students come from all over the world so you can make friends around the globe and at the same time learn about their cultures, also you become more independent and responsible. I had an amazing time in CIC and will never forget all the people I met and friendships I made.

Jiayu Yan

Staffs are all very kind and friendly, the clean ladies, securities, house parents, the food staff etc, they are just like friends if you’d be nice to them. My liaison offecier and guidence teacher helped me a lot on my course arrangement, university application and all kinds of stuff. The teachers I had are all responsible to me, I think they have office hours every week for students to ask questions about the course content. The student development people plan so many activities, like hockey games, pumpkin contest… I forgot too many of them. During the lockdown, they still plan things at residence and outdoor activities as well, I did running, hiking, soccer in the summer, it was great memories. I had a lot experiences at cic, most of them are awesome, valuable, and memorable. There are cons too, (food not tasty, the residence, different lunch time..), but overall all, I like it, it was a crazy year for me

Joanne Wong

I studied two years at CIC and it has been a very transformational experience. I met so many people. I read some reviews but realized that many are from students before me my time and so much has changed. My parents sent me for summer camp to see the school first and I would recommend you to do that too and make your own decision

Hoàng Như Nguyễn

School staff really nice. They have many active for you to join after class

A T

They discriminate against students with disabilities. They scan and email your confidential health information to third parties. The school offers nothing exceptional for international students. Overpriced and racist.

JUNYU DAI

the worst school I have seen. poor schedule.

Arsh bagh

worst Place...believe me...they just want your money

Huy Nguyễn

The staffs and teachers are wonderful. They helped me to get an 81 average on English which is impossible for a boy with 11 years studying English+ Literature but only get an average of 65, oh btw you will know what is "real food" when u study in here ????

Lingxiao Yang

don’t come to this school if you are afraid of racism

PHAN DUC TRUNG LE

This is an amazing school, where you can find truly tolerable teacher, and genuinely kind staff.

Kathy Deng

Racist

Jason Xu

just a place to waste time

Kartik Bhojwani

A great school with a great staff. The medium sized classes, friendly teachers, and a great learning atmosphere make CIC an ideal school for everyone. And just so you know, teachers give a lot of work but it's totally worth it. You won't realize this till you have graduated ????????

Li Yammi

Dont send your kids to this school, the staff in this school make terrible decision and lock people up with no reason. Shamful for being a Canadian School.

Aline U. B.

CIC has been an absolute blessing in my life. Teachers are enthusiastic, staff are always willing to help, peers are easy to talk to and form friendships with, and the environment is just so welcoming and fun. There is so much support and I have incredible memories there that I will cherish forever. I would definitely recommend getting involved: from clubs to the Duke of Edinburgh program, there are so many unique opportunities to develop all kinds of skills! Thank you for this once in a lifetime experience :)

M Perozako

Costs a lot but easy to pass this school - dont's gotta do no work and a good place for parties all night long! The girls are right next door we hang out in front of their residence and pick them up - so easy.

Sham Chan

they need money ，if u are not that smart or you are rich just come here .bad school

Chen Yang

Waste of parent's hard worked money! They give hundred thousands dollars so I can party, stay out 12 am late at bars, and learn nothin! Columbia not a real college! It just a school that let you pass if you have money. Now I not find a job!

Beihao Zhou

Enjoyed my school life here. Staff and teachers are really nice. Also I succeed in getting into my ideal university. :)

Y Olegovna

I'm grateful to Columbia. My child couldn't have achieved as much without the support from Columbia teachers, especially the math teachers and UPO staff, they're AMAZING. Thank you

이상훈

Don't WASTE your precious time here in CIC. One of bad memory in my student days. What they care for is just your MONEY!!!

Nam Le Nhat

I have been a student of CIC just for 3 months. However, I experience such warm and total care from teachers and staffs here. The curriculum is perfect I must say, and the school also provided extra-curriculum activities which is incredible and amazing. Students are diverse but we all together study, share experiences for better learning. Especially, in here, Liaison Officers are extremely friendly and open, always helping us. What a stunning environment for learning

arshia kosari

Worst school i’ve ever been.