International Students at Cypress College Caught in Alleged Education Scam

International Students at Cypress College in Medicine Hat Caught in Alleged Education Scam

International students attending Cypress College in Medicine Hat, Alberta, are speaking out about what they describe as a "million-dollar scam college" experience. For many, the college appears to be a shadow operation, taking advantage of students' hopes to study and build careers in Canada.

One former student described the setup: “I paid around $17,000 in tuition for a college that essentially doesn’t exist.” Instead of live virtual classes, students received years-old video lectures by a chef (whose name remains undisclosed out of respect). While some student teachers, hired by the college, monitor online sessions, their role seems limited to ensuring that students stay awake, rather than providing real instruction or support.

The so-called practicum component of the program, a critical element of hands-on education, allegedly consists of unpaid labor at a local hotel (The Cliff at Clarion Point). Students report being forced to work in the hotel kitchen, and some have even been assigned tasks like pool cleaning, laundry, dishwashing, and room cleaning. Missing one of these shifts could mean being expelled from the college—sometimes without prior notice.

Adding to the troubling experience, students have reportedly faced demands for additional fees, often thousands of dollars, when they request crucial documents, such as their college enrollment letters for IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) purposes. “If you need your enrollment letter, they ask for a ‘re-admission’ fee, which can range from $2,000 to $3,000 depending on their mood,” one student revealed.

Another issue involves the alleged promise of LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) applications, which are essential for many students to secure Canadian work permits. After completing the first year, students report being told to pay an additional $2,500 for a lawyer, supposedly to facilitate their LMIA applications. For some students, this leads to restarting the entire academic year if the LMIA falls through, with no true second-year program to advance to.

The student further claimed that these practices have been ongoing for the last two to three years, with an influx of approximately 400 students annually—mostly young people in their early 20s. Many feel silenced by fear, worried that any complaint will lead to deportation, as they believe the college president holds unchecked power over their status.

These allegations raise serious concerns about Cypress College’s integrity and its treatment of international students, who are left vulnerable and afraid. As one student put it, "People think he’s not just the President of Cypress College but the president of Canada.”