老妈说我的运气一向不错，说公派到我们这一届允许本科生申请，又说我来了一年公派生活费标准就有大幅度提高。我心里一向是不以为然的——要是有足够的实力申请到全奖，我干嘛申请公派啊；瑞典那边的公派学生们穷的都申请不到签证了，涨钱不是顺理成章的么。不过，必须说其实老天还是挺眷顾的，当年在海淀驾校学着车，忽然接到研究生院的老师打电话和我说公派有第二批，已经把我材料交上去的时候，对研院老师那叫一个感激涕零啊。而刚刚看到的曼省移民新规，这就意味着我明年Master毕业压根不用找工作，拿到毕业证在读Phd的时候就可以申请移民了——不过我还没想好。

虽然说加拿大这边要念完master才能继续读phd，读完博士比美国多了两年时间。不过福祸相依，有个master学位好处还是挺多的。而且如果想要移民，留学基金委那两年的服务时间对我一点影响都没有——因为加拿大这边毕业之后直接给三年的post-secondary work permit。回国呆两年也一样能不用额外申请签证直接回到加拿大。这些都比美国那边要宽松的多。

MANITOBA MAKES IT EASIER FOR INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES TO STAY AND WORK

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger today announced changes to Manitoba’s successful provincial nominee program that would make it faster and easier for international students to stay and work in the province.

“International students bring many benefits to our economy and communities, and we want to ensure we can continue to attract and retain the best and the brightest,” said Selinger.

“We are making Manitoba a destination of choice for international students and meeting the needs of businesses by providing them with better access to highly skilled and well-trained employees.”

Beginning in 2011, international graduates from a post-secondary educational program of at least two academic years at a Manitoba institution will be able to apply immediately to the provincial nominee program in advance of receiving an offer of employment. Previously, international graduates could only apply to the provincial nominee program after working for a Manitoba employer for at least six months.

As part of the changes, international students applying for the fast-track program will also enrol in an employment-readiness program upon completion of their studies. The program will include job readiness, career coaching and job-matching services.

“By fast-tracking the immigration process for international graduates and helping them integrate into the job market, Manitoba will be well positioned to compete for and retain our highly skilled workers,” said Selinger.