International students, particularly those from Nigeria and other nations, are grappling with formidable challenges in Canada as they need help securing part-time employment to sustain themselves. A recent report by the Voice of America sheds light on these students’ precarious predicament, with some resorting to living in substandard conditions.
Canada’s initiative to open up pathways for employment and immigration for international students initially attracted a significant influx of individuals from diverse backgrounds. However, despite the opportunities presented, many need more suitable job prospects to meet their financial needs. Images circulating on Canadian social media platforms depict long queues of hopefuls competing for basic cashier positions, highlighting the stark reality of limited employment options for international students.
In Canada, international students are restricted to part-time employment, often relegated to low-wage positions. Dhvani Malik, a fourth-year international relations student at the University of British Columbia, articulates the mounting pressure students face in light of Vancouver’s affordability crisis and diminishing job opportunities. “International students already shoulder substantial financial burdens with tuition fees, and the escalating costs of rent and living expenses only exacerbate the strain,” Malik laments.
As of March, Statistics Canada reported a concerning 12.6 percent unemployment rate among young people in the country, sounding alarm bells regarding the nation’s capacity to accommodate its rapidly expanding population, particularly immigrants. Minister Justin Trudeau, addressing the issue during a speech in Nova Scotia, acknowledged the imperative of regulating the influx of temporary immigrants. Trudeau underscored the need to address the overwhelming growth of temporary foreign workers and international students, signaling a recognition of the challenges posed by unchecked immigration.
However, curbing the influx of international students presents a problem for Canadian institutions, which heavily rely on the tuition fees paid by this demographic. The government finds itself at a crossroads, torn between the economic benefits of international student enrollment and the strain on resources posed by unchecked immigration. Balancing these competing interests will require careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure the sustainability of the education sector and the broader Canadian economy.
