TITLE:
Challenges and Strategies for the Adaptation of International Students to the Canadian Workplace
AUTHORS:
Nam Phuong Le, Adnan Sarwar
KEYWORDS:
International Students, Migrant Workers, Globalization
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.8,
August
22,
2024
ABSTRACT: International students have a significant impact on the host country’s economy. In Canada, they can help create jobs, contribute to the GDP, and solve the problem of labour shortages. Despite their significant contribution, international students have undergone a lot of challenges without appropriate support. Many international students reported being discriminated against due to many factors ranging from the language barrier to the lack of local experience. Thus, they experience mental distress and physical health issues. This study will explore the challenges that international students are facing and the strategies that they implemented to adapt to the Canadian workplace. The significance of the student can help policymakers develop plans to support international student workers, which ultimately contribute to the Canadian economy. The study result confirms the challenges faced by international student workers in previous literature. Several adaptation strategies were identified, such as 1) building networks, 2) gaining local working experience through volunteering, internship or on-campus jobs, 3) utilizing support from the university or professors, 4) leveraging family or friend support, and 5) upgrade their skill and knowledge to better fit with the new working environment.