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The Contribution of Foreign Students to Canada’s Prosperity

The Contribution of Foreign Students to Canada’s Prosperity. Chedly Belkhodja and Victoria Esses Concordia University /Western University SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grants Metropolis Conference Gatineau, March2014. Context. In 2012: 105 000 new international students

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The Contribution of Foreign Students to Canada’s Prosperity

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  1. The Contribution of ForeignStudentsto Canada’sProsperity Chedly Belkhodja and Victoria Esses Concordia University/Western University SSHRC KnowledgeSynthesisGrants MetropolisConference Gatineau, March2014

  2. Context • In 2012: • 105 000 new international students • 265 000 international students present by Dec 1st • Canada is becoming a destination of choice • See growing numbers: A New international education strategy: 450 000 foreign students by 2022 • Policies in place: off-campus work permits; post-graduation work permit; Canadian Experience Class • What is missing?

  3. SSHRC ResearchSynthesis…5 main themes • Understand international students’ transition to permanent residence; • Theireconomic and social integrationbefore and whentheybecome permanent residents; • Their contribution to Canada; • The challenges they face duringtheirprofessionalintegration and the factorsthatdeterminetheireconomic performance in the labour market; • The best pratices for theirsuccessfuleconomic and social integration

  4. Methodology: A diverse body of litterature International Students

  5. Systematic Literature Review: Research Engines Used • ABI/Inform • CBCA Complete • EBSCOhost • Google Scholar • IngentaConnect • Proquest • Scopus • Sociological Abstract • Summon

  6. Corpus • Comprehensive review of the state of knowledge • Qualitative approach: analytical and thematic • Peer-reviewed articles were found in diversity of journals (n=51): • Globalisation, Societies and Education; Journal of International Migration and Integration; Journal of Career Development; Population, Space and Place; International; Higher Education; Journal of Studies in International Education, among others. • Grey Literature

  7. The Contribution of International Students to Canada’sProsperity • International students are an important source of revenue for the Canadian economy (Kofmel, 2013; Kunin & Associates, 2012; Sidiq et al. 2010). • International students significantly contribute to innovation and knowledge development (Chellaraj, Maskus & Mattoo, 2008). • International students are a source of cultural creativity, notably in regions less marked by diversity (Yao & Bai, 2008).

  8. Transition to Permanent Residency • Becoming a permanent resident is an important motivational factor (Alboim & Cohl, 2012; Bass, 2005; Eskelä, 2013; Geddie, 2013; Lowe, 2012; Robertson, 2011; Zigurus & Law, 2007). • Staying in host country post graduation: • Job opportunities (Kim, Bankart & Isdell, 2011; Arthur & Flynn, 2011; Baruch, Budhwar and Kahtri, 2007). • Family reunification, and social and personal factors (Lu, Zong & Schissel, 2009; Soon, 2011 & 2012). • The transition periodcan have an impact on theirprofessional and social integration(Robertson, 2012).

  9. Integration Challenges • “There is a need for comprehensive settlement services and supports for international students to facilitate a smooth transition towards their full integration and participation in Canadian society” (Gates-Gasse, 2012). • Obstacles: • Acculturation stress (Reynold & Constantine, 2009) • Language proficiency as cultural barrier to professional integration (Arthur & Flynn; Chira, 2013). • Cultural adaptation (Moores & Popadiuk, 2011).

  10. Best Practices • Community Connections atUniversity of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus, in Australia. • University of British Columbia’sProfessional Development Program International Teaching Assistants • Collaborative campaign in Alberta to promote international students to employers • The Connectorprogram in Halifax, Nova Scotia • MemorialUniversity’sProfessional SkilssDevelopment Program and International StudentWorkExperience Program

  11. Conclusions/Recommandations • “Switchers” : The student – state interface: • The anxiety of international studentsduring the process of transitioning to permanent residenceshoud not beunderestimated, as the transition periodcan have an impact on theirprofessional and social integration(See Robertson, 2012). • Better collaboration between local stakeholders to help smooth international student’s transition and integration to the host community. • Pay attention to the softer factors or what happens at the coffee break?

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