International students in Canada and their psycho-social adaptations: Challenges and possibilities.

Lt(N) Fr.Sajo Jacob, Pastor and Reserve Chaplain to DND

International students in Canada and their psycho-social adaptations: Challenges and possibilities.

Lt(N) Fr.Sajo Jacob, Pastor and Reserve Chaplain to DND.

The phenomenal growth in the number of international students in Canada in recent years has opened many possibilities ushered with insurmountable challenges and struggles. Undoubtedly, these new learners in transition (international students) are becoming part of Canada's nation-building dynamics. They bring remarkable wealth and intellectual rigor to Canada to navigate the land of possibilities. One of the incentives to choose Canada as the global destination for studies is the recent change in immigration policies. Canada's immigration policy introduced a fast-track permanent residency program and stay-back policy after study, which boosted the influx of international students in Canada. The international students' involvement with economic development, industry innovation, and the labour market, accompanied by social and cultural diversity, has greatly increased – In short, their contribution to Canada is remarkable.

Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1Report from Canadian Bureau for international students (Image copied from public domain) The number of International students in higher education has phenomenally increased-an exponential growth within two decades. As per the Canadian Bureau for International Education, there was a 31% increase within one year (2021-2022) and a 43% growth over the previous five years. 170% growth over the last decade. 73% are likely to stay here in Canada, and 60% intend to apply for permanent residence in Canada. 40 % of students in 2022 were from India. Canada has become the global center of international students and has brought exorbitant revenue to Canada. International students bring roughly $21 billion a year to the Canadian economy.( Scott Stirrett, Global Mail, June 10, 2022) The influx of international students demands adequate care and other mental health resources. One of the main concerns is the mental health and support system, which must be provided by the host country.

Cultural shock-Adaptation- and mental health challenges of international students.

Photo from public domain

Living and learning in another country is always a learning curve, and the emotional and mental challenges are often left oblivion. What are the means to overcome these challenges? It begins with cultural shock, struggling through the acculturation process and cultural exposure. We should explore the therapeutic measures to alleviate the cross-cultural transitional mental health issues and cultural and psychological adaptation problems. Promoting acculturative-therapeutic empowerment programs can enhance the resiliency among international students in Canada. The Relighting Lives Foundation is always at the forefront of these challenges and become a beacon of hope and resiliency for international students.

Transition issues: common and particular.

Photo from public domain

There are many common transition issues for international students: Financial struggles, lack of rental houses, and support. “Are we cash cows in Canada?” is a question that a second-year international student lurches out with loaded meaning. Many are wealthy, not necessarily everyone, but many seek bank loans to pursue their future studies in Canada. The immense pressure to meet academic standards, depression and anxiety, adjustment problems, cultural shock and stress levels often alarmingly high leave them vulnerable and susceptible to mental health challenges. Though academic success is the central concern of international students, there are other problems they face, such as communication problems, language skills, challenges of building up social support, cost of living, financial struggles, lack of financial aid, issues of discrimination and racism, the biased mindset of instructors and authorities, gender roles and confusing sexual orientation, male domination and female subservience, family issues, etc. are always stumbling blocks. Without external interventions, these problems are debilitating international students' well-being.

Relevance of Relighting Lives Foundation

My experience in post-secondary institutions as a campus chaplain for more than a decade and my ongoing contribution to the Department of National Defense in the role of a military chaplain, along with my pastoral experience of guidance and care, shaped me to start a collaborative social outreach approach and community strategies to empower the international students. Individual guidance is a powerful tool to assist students who are more vulnerable to these adjustment challenges. Depression leading to suicide, drugs and isolation are not mere concepts but a reality with international students. Dead bodies are being shipped to native countries as a huge shock to family members. Fraud recruiters and false information often mislead students and parents. Some of them live in deplorable living conditions. As a host country, Canada must care for international students' mental health and invest in their welfare and wellness. Relighting Lives Foundation, along with its numerous volunteers, will always be at the forefront of imparting the human values of care and service. The scholarships and mentorships for international students are quintessential of the visions and missions of this foundation.