Sheeba Singh

© Panjabi Beat, February-March 2009. Vol. 1 No. 3

With globalization in full swing, the interconnectedness between cultures in the international society implies increased mobility for the purpose of education, employment and life itself. However, despite notions of India rising at the global-political and economical level, the social consensus embodied within the nation itself tells a different story. Even today, a large percentage of the population has never set foot outside their hometown, let alone, sees another country. For many young Indians and their families, the ability to pursue further studies abroad is still the chance of a lifetime. A certificate from an education board and successful high-school completion constitute just the start of what makes an Indian student eligible to study in a post secondary institution in Canada. Banking statements, visa applications, English proficiency tests come next in the application process- furthering the hope of life in a foreign country for the student. Once accepted, teenagers leave their comfort, lives, families and friends and board onto a new way of life for the purpose of higher studies.

This piece will look to provide an analysis of the lives of Indian students in Canada and the hardships that they have to face. Although most of these struggles are distributed just as well in other foreign countries, I will not dwell on them for this piece. The information in this piece comes, both, through personal experience and conversations with students over the past five years regarding their hardships and their struggle for the purpose of education.

Crossing Many a Hurdle

Many friends are made at orientation here in Canada for all the new comers; it is an opportunity to get to know other first year students, learn more about the university and introduce yourselves to the seniors and get some tips. It is the beginning of a great adventure and university life. However, with the start of classes, registration and the increased workload, international students find themselves turning to others of their own or similar communities for friendship, help and consolation. The problem here is not with bonding with your own people, but the lack of actual support that is provided to the students in need of financial, academic and emotional support through the institution. This jeopardizes academic, emotional, psychological and even physical aspects of all the students’ lives when encountering challenging problems. The Post- secondary institutions allege their support services to be beneficial for the students. This comes to include a part of the package of information provided in the mail prior to admission and the start of classes. While students are still trying to find their roots in a brand new country, adjust to a new life, and tackle language barriers (English, on its own changes elements with boundaries and cultures)- academics may become troublesome, and homesickness on the rise. For those who pieced together financial support for the substantial fee, going back home to visit is not a subtle option.

While, allegedly, a support system exists within the institution, little support is provided. Most students are turned down if in need of finances and are baffled by the options in courses, the difference in course load and the difference in education system of the country. This is not to imply that services being paid for are of no use, but the first year, for any student is overwhelming- and its effects can be even more detrimental for international students. International students often find themselves anxious in troublesome situations due to the lack of aid in many instances and aren’t given enough information of the facilities available to them until later years at the university/college. Dealing with a missed exam, writing a twelve-page research paper, getting a sick note from the doctor etc can become fairly difficult due to the lack of information provided.

Especially in the case of writing essays, reports and research papers, students find themselves with a loss of direction in the appropriate approach for the assignment. Workshops are often arranged by professors in first year to help the students with research tips and insight into search tools in the library. This often deems itself as insufficient in helping the students to tackle typing thousands of words for their courses. Getting some guidance from the teaching-assistants; who are hired by the appropriate department to mark papers; can be beneficial as well. However, international students tend to have an inbred fear of their professors, and this fear drags along at the post secondary level, preventing them from taking necessary initiative.

Settling in university or college not only means doing well in school, but being able to provide for yourself as well. Students apply to odd part-time jobs to make a little money between classes and the strenuous workload. The problem here is the inability to get a job off campus due to the requirement of a work visa- the application for which also requires a hefty payment. Financial troubles create a vicious circle- and with the high tuition costs for international students, expensive books, food and extra costs- the need for money rises. Most students who come from low-income families or even middle class families tend not to expose their troubles for the fear of causing any additional tension in the household. They push themselves to attain a decent paying job on campus that allows them to work flexible hours and study hard for courses. This is not easy due to the high demand for on-campus jobs, even by students who are national citizens.

On the other hand, there are handful of international students who emerge from the upper classes in India and are able to rely on their families’ support in response to any financial troubles Seawards of all political bigwigs and wards of senior bureaucrats study in North American universities; Sukhbir Badal, Rahul Gandhi and Sachin Pilot are the immediate examples. They, however, cannot be equated or compared with a normal student, who comes with funding from his/her immediate family, friends and relatives.

Often, additionally, it can be asserted that their migration to the country serves more than one purpose. With fluent and smooth English accent, designer clothes and accessories, permanent residency becomes a target. Laws in Canada have permitted students to apply for citizenship once their studies have been completed- and even in the absence of such laws- this goal has been eyed, and at times, attained. Issues here are of moral and ethical concern- and more than that jeopardize the future of students with honest intentions to study in Canada. Diplomas are another leeway into the residency and citizenship ‘scheme’ for international students with less money. Most of the time in the country is spent on assessing the possibility of citizenship and future living in the country as versus to completing education first.

Education in Canada at the post secondary and postgraduate level is less expensive than studying in the United States with the same, or even better levels throughout various schools. With an additional assessment of the real guidance provided and troubles faced by international students, not only coming from India, but all walks of life throughout the globe- can prove to have positive outcomes. This could further increase the quality of education and outcome received in post secondary institutions that sway students away from repeating courses again and again, giving up, stressing out or dropping out of school altogether. With so much money being put into education and substantial funding through the international student fee, universities and colleges still have much to learn. But despite their flaws, Canada has enabled many aspirants to experience a new side of education, life, and taught them well in tackling hurdles. The liberal society with icy winters and beautiful summers does have many good things at hand as well. After all, the tag of foreign education works wonders back home.