Thanks for a well-written answer. Great to know that you managed to land a job within as few as two months of graduating - no mean feat, I daresay.
I like to say that the best answers are the ones that lead to more questions. So here goes:
1. Is there a significant difference between an internship and a co-op?
Full time MBA students do an internship, usually during the summer vacation after they have completed their 2 semesters. Co-op is the program. Full time MBA is 4 semesters of studies whereas co-op is 4 semesters of studies plus 3 semesters of work stint. co-op progs are usually a bit more expensive than the full time MBA but for people coming to Canada for the first time and not having too much/no work experience, it is a BIG +. Summer internship is not mandatory for full time MBA student and you would have to work your butt of to get one. The work stints are a part of co-op curriculum, and the college will REALLY work with you to get one. Now that doesnt mean it is guaranteed but since the college's reputation rests on all its co-op students getting work terms, they will put in some extra work. However, you still have to work your butt off - resumes, networking, interviewing etc
2. You say that there were international students in your cohort who couldn't find a job and therefore had to go back. Were these students an unfortunate minority? I do hope so.
very few.but, my point was that you have to understand that if you come to Canada to study it doesnt automatically guarantee you a job. You still have to put in all the hard work.....maybe a bit more, because its a different country, different work culture etc
3. Would my co-op salary take the sting off the extortionate tuition of the MBA program? Would I be able to make close to half the amount if I worked three co-op jobs?
Let me put it this way, it will help. Again, it all depends on where you find your work terms. some companies pay better than the others. You might have to shift to different city for one of your work term and that could drive up your rent costs, food, travel etc. I dont know what are your spending habits. My suggestion would be that make sure that you have enough to support yourself even without this additional income. In my case, since I had done a full time MBA, my 4 month salary helped pay off my 2 semesters' fees. But, I am a stingy fool. ;D Yes, these co-op terms will definitely help but I dont think you should plan your MBA with this as your fallback plan.
4. Although I am much more comfortable speaking English than I am speaking French, I am not too bad at the latter. Would that help my cause when I'm out looking for a job in Ontario? In fact, I also speak the mother-tongues of two of the largest immigrant communities in Canada. Is that any good in a city like Toronto?
Being bilingual is ALWAYS helpful
5. I won't have a jot of Canadian experience (unless you count a three-month exchange program in Northern Ontario, which didn't entail any non-academic work) when I apply for my first co-op job. Would that be a handicap? Given that most MBA co-op programs are designed for students with little or no work experience, would I be in the same boat as most of my Canada-born classmates when recruiters come to campus looking to hire us for our co-op terms?
Yes, you first co-op could be a challenge but it also depends on how you spin your experience in your resume. Its all about you showing the recruiter why you are the best choice for the role. I was selected for my internship over some of my classmates and, honestly, when I had gotten the call I was a little surprised too because I had thought that one of my Canadian classmates would have gotten the job but later I found out, that my manager was extremely impressed with the way I had told my story of how good a fit I would be in the organization. So dont underestimate yourself.
Cheers!