"What's Education Got to Do With It?" The Experiences of Punjabi International Students in Canadian Higher Education

• In Event: Revealing Often Unseen Barriers to College

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of Punjabi international undergraduate students attending Canadian higher education. In recent years (pre-COVID-19) there has been a steep increase in the enrollment of international students from India in Canadian universities. Some of the factors underlying this growth are the expedited visa procedures for international students from India under the Student Direct Stream (SDS), expansion in the global higher education market, Canada’s relatively easy route to immigration post-graduation, and the changing political climate in the US. While Canadian universities collect high tuition fees from international students, they demonstrate little commitment to support their academic success. This case study aims to highlight students’ voices and experiences that may be overlooked in the field of market-driven higher education.

Author

• Lilach Marom, Simon Fraser University