Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-6-2015
Keywords
international students, psychosocial adjustment, international education; Canada, labour market integration, immigration
Abstract
Recent policy changes in Canada highlight the strategic role International Students (IS) in the country’s economic development and future prosperity. With the release of Canada’s first international education strategy, the federal government has intimately tied international education to the domestic economy by attracting and retaining skilled workers to prepare Canada for the global market place. IS are particularly desirable candidates for permanent residency because their Canadian credentials, proficiency in at least one official language, and their relevant Canadian work experience is assumed to allow them to integrate more easily into the labour force upon graduation. Through 11 focus groups with 48 IS from two post-secondary institutions in the province of Ontario, we explored the adjustment of IS as they adapt to Canada and transition from student to worker. Thematic analysis suggests a disconnect between policy makers’ assumptions and the lived experiences of IS in Canada. Specifically, we find that IS’ integration into Canadian society into the domestic labour market is hindered by adjustment difficulties pertaining to language abilities, poor connectedness to host communities, and perceived employer discrimination against IS. We offer policy recommendations for how international education can better prepare IS for the Canadian labour market.
Faculty
Inclusive Communities
Journal
Comparative and International Education
Volume
43
Issue
3
Version
Publisher's version
Peer Reviewed/Refereed Publication
yes
Copyright
© Colin Scott, Saba Safdar, Roopa Trilokekar, Amira El Masri
Terms of Use
Terms of Use for Works posted in SOURCE.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Original Publication Citation
Scott, C., Safdar, S. Trilokekar, R., and El Masri, A. (2015). International Students as ‘Ideal Immigrants’ in Canada: A disconnect between policy makers’ assumptions and the lived experiences of international students. Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale: Vol. 43: Iss. 3, Article 5.
SOURCE Citation
Scott, Colin; Safdar, Saba; Trilokekar, Roopa; and El Masri, Amira, "International Students as ‘Ideal Immigrants’ in Canada: A disconnect between policy makers’ assumptions and the lived experiences of international students" (2015). Publications and Scholarship. 7.
https://source.sheridancollege.ca/nonfaculty_cei_publications/7
