Canada has a diverse population, so it only makes sense that our student population be multicultural as well. As a follow-up to my last article, which focused on Canadians studying abroad, there are plenty of initiatives Canadian universities are implementing to ensure more international students are coming to our country to study; there are also a number of challenges associated with these changes.

International students studying in Canada

With regards to an international student choosing to study in Canada, many institutions have difficulties helping these students secure study permits to come into Canada because immigration officials in their countries refuse to give study permits to students who wish to stay in Canada after graduating.

According to a 2006 study by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, there is a “discrepancy between government policies that encourage international students to stay in Canada to meet local labour market needs and the policy of immigration officers to refuse study permits to students on the same grounds.”

Canadian institutions have also become heavily dependent on China for students but the Chinese government is revamping its own postsecondary school system, causing concern as there may be a decrease in international enrolment in Canadian universities. Canadian institutions have started to focus their recruitment efforts in other countries like India and Africa, but there is a rise in competition from other institutes in Asia, Russia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, and South America. Canadian institutions are now competing with others that are geographically closer to the potential international student base.

Oftentimes, there are inadequate cultural and language-based services for international students, although some schools provide host families for moral support and some offer distance education language courses.

Curriculum

The study also mentions that “the internationalization of curriculum [is] the effort to introduce an international, intercultural, or global dimension into course content and materials and into teaching and learning methods.”

In order to restructure course material to include an international approach, it must go under review—a process that can take a long time to ensure that it meets practices and policies. It’s been suggested that universities also offer experiential learning opportunities via community service learning in other countries as well as international faculty.

Language barriers has also been reviewed and “each institution must resolve the issue of whether language should be taught as a skill or as an academic pursuit.” Should universities require that students learn another language in order to graduate? Some schools offer joint programs that allow students to complete half of their degree in Canada and the other half in another country.

Challenges to internationalization

There are roadblocks to fully internationalizing a university’s curriculum: peer reviews of their strategic planning take time and faculty are hesitant to get involved, as the program may not be recognized by the university or is too challenging and complex.

Financial constraints, (whether they be lack of funding to the university or lesser or fewer international research project grants), create problems for universities to provide opportunities without external means of funding like fundraising or alumni support. This shows a lack of federal strategy to implement these programs, thus slowing down the process and limiting financial support from the government.

Lastly, institutions should be helping one another with these efforts. The study recommends “[fostering] networking and connections” via databases, case studies, and workshops for universities to use to help perfect internationalized curriculum and postsecondary life for their students—local or international.

The subject of internationalizing a university’s programs is a long and unending one as Canada’s employment and population landscape continue to change. With the right focus by schools and our governments, universities can contribute to a harmonized, multicultural workforce.

Related: Learn how an international internship can benefit your career, and find out how to prepare for the culture shock even before you arrive.

Angelina Attisano is the assistant web editor with jobpostings.ca. She graduated with a degree in communication studies from Laurentian University, as well as an advertising diploma from Georgian College. She enjoys reading and writing, and also spending time with her friends and family. In the future, she sees herself working in public relations or event planning.