For international students coming to Canada, navigating language barriers and obstacles to permanent residency can be isolating and challenging. However, the International Student Support Centre (ISSC) at Mount Royal University works to assist students through these challenges, while helping them to grow community and find support amongst their peers during their time in Canada.
One evening, when the group was holding a games night, student Larry Luo noticed a girl who was very nervous and barely spoke English.
Luo immediately connected with her because English is not his first language either. He remembers this as one of those moments where international students can help support one another.
“When I’m standing in a large crowd, sometimes I get nervous because I don’t know what they are saying half the time,” Luo said. “I find games night is a chance to share some enjoyment and meet people.”
The centre is a physical space on campus where international and domestic students can create meaningful connections. Students come to this dedicated space to find support in managing the many hurdles that come with studying abroad. Student volunteers can provide information and support through peer-driven programs, while creating a space for students to practice their languages, study and learn from one another.
Luo is an international student from Taiwan with a master’s degree in finance. He is currently taking accounting at Mount Royal and understands how hard it is to make connections — so he often tries to spark conversations with visitors at the ISSC.
Luo was surprised, for example, to discover the emphasis Mount Royal places on mental health, such as the student association’s Puppy Rooms during their biannual Stress Less Week. He’s amazed at the attention Canadian universities give to mental health awareness.
“The first year I came to MRU, I had no idea what exam stress-relief was,” said Lou. “In some Asian countries they may be more focused on performance whereas western education may offer additional areas of focus on your path,” said Luo.
Jumping through hoops
Puppies aside, there is a lot of stress that international students must deal with before and after moving to Canada.
Hrithik Jude Dsouza, a volunteer at the ISSC, says he always dreamed of living near the Canadian Rockies. He was a personal trainer in Mumbai, India, before moving to Canada after the pandemic.
Dsouza says his personal training career is not respected the same way in India as in Canada.
“Back home, personal training is not considered a real job—it’s looked down upon,” he said. “Here in Canada, there’s more to it, there’s a science behind it.”
In addition to adapting to new ways of living, Dsouza is grappling with his future in Canada, as he considers the steps he needs to obtain permanent residency. In order to work in his field of study, he must complete Mount Royal’s personal fitness training program.
Because of how Canada’s immigration system works, Dsouza would need to step into a managerial role in order to obtain his status as a permanent resident. To do this, he has to navigate a complex ranking system known as TEER.
TEER, or training, education, experience and responsibilities, is part of the federal National Occupation Classification where highly-skilled work is ranked from zero to three. Any occupation ranked four or five is considered low-skilled work.
“When it comes to a personal trainer, that is considered TEER 4,” said Dsouza. He is frustrated about still being classified as a low-skilled worker despite taking on new training.
If Dsouza does not reach a managerial position within three years, he will have to return home. Because of this, he would like to see the TEER system shift its focus away from managerial positions, and be more equal in its rankings.
“Expand it a bit and of course there will be more opportunities for the economy to grow,” he said.
Navigating the system
Kristen Chappell is the international student support and immigration advising coordinator with the International Education office at MRU. She helps students like Dsouza and Luo with questions about everything related to immigration, studying and working in Canada, including questions about the TEER system.
Chappell emphasizes how international students are key to the economy.
“They inject population into the Canadian economy, which means they’re spending money here and they’re doing jobs that a lot of Canadians don’t want to do,” said Chappell, adding they pay three and a half times more tuition than domestic students.
Part of Chappell’s job is to connect international students with resources like career services, immigration policy, language programming and mental health initiatives.
“This is a space to create connections, create community, have students meet other students where they help each other with their personal experiences and goals,” said Chappell.
She remembers her first year working at the International Education office when representatives from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada visited the ISSC for an in-person session called Pathways to Permanent Residency.
Chappell realized then how much she takes for granted growing up in Canada.
“I feel very fortunate to work with this population who by nature work so hard to be here, let alone a university student,” she said. “There’s just so much graciousness. They don’t feel entitled. They’re working hard and they’re appreciative of the help in general.”
Amid navigating a new country, complex immigration systems, and finding support for their mental health and careers, international students work hard to contribute to the economy.
Both Dsouza and Lou try to take advantage of every moment, especially the opportunity to enjoy the Rockies — something many Canadian citizens take for granted. For both of them, the ISSC has provided a sense of connection and belonging, and an opportunity to support others in the same way.
“It’s always been a passion of mine to help people,” said Dsouza. “I find it rewarding to help others accomplish their personal fitness goals.”