The campaign kicked off in the first week of May with a series of dedicated posts, each spotlighting remarkable South Asian Canadians who tirelessly advocate for migrant and refugee justice—both professionally and personally. Their work spans activism, legal support, community organizing, and more, illustrating the diverse ways South Asians contribute to social justice.

The celebration culminated on May 19th with the unveiling of CASSA’s 2025 SAHM poster, featuring six inspiring champions:

• Harsha Walia: Author and Community Organizer
• Shalini Konanur: Executive Director and Senior Lawyer, South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALCO)
• Syed Hussan: Executive Director, Migrant Workers Alliance for Change
• Chris Ramsaroop: Organizer, Justicia for Migrant Workers; Assistant Professor, University of Toronto; Co-Director, Migrant Farm Worker Legal Clinic
• Prasanna Balasundaram: Advocate and Special Advocate
• Naujawan Support Network (NSN): Immigrant Worker and International Student Collective, Brampton

We are proud to honor these champions who continue to uplift, support, and shape the future of our vibrant community and beyond. Their dedication inspires us all to work towards a more just and equitable society.

The post South Asian Heritage Month Campaign first appeared on CASSA.

With the recent increase in South Asian international students and the lack of adequate government support, this group has become one of the most marginalized in Canada. Without tailored settlement programs to assist them, these students are vulnerable to various forms of discrimination from consultancy agencies, educational institutions, employers, landlords, and other fraudulent services. Many students find themselves sleeping on friends’ couches or spending nights in tents due to a lack of affordable housing. To save money, some skip meals, while others rely more on food banks. Additionally, many students are working extra hours for significantly less than minimum wage, making them susceptible to exploitation. As fraudulent activities targeting these students become more prevalent, anti-South Asian sentiments are also on the rise, further complicating their situation.

It is imperative to develop robust settlement programs tailored to support this demographic. Collaboration between the IRCC, provincial agencies, and local settlement organizations is essential to address the unique challenges faced by these students. Many South Asian-led non-profits currently lack the capacity to effectively assist newcomers, necessitating discussions about increased settlement funding and resource allocation.

Moreover, it is crucial to interrogate whether international students are receiving the “better” education they were promised. Many higher educational institutions fail to deliver the diverse and “internationalized” curricula that they advertise. Even prestigious universities often rely heavily on Western pedagogical frameworks, neglecting to incorporate inclusive perspectives. Private institutions, sometimes labeled “diploma mills,” frequently lack the necessary resources and campus facilities to provide a comprehensive educational experience, including extracurricular activities, leadership development, and networking opportunities.

This situation raises pressing questions regarding the quality assurance protocols for post-secondary institutions in Canada and their efficacy in ensuring high-quality “international” education, especially given the exorbitant tuition fees that these students pay. It is essential for all levels of government to engage in a dialogue about improving these protocols and addressing the systemic issues within the education system to better serve international students and fulfill the promises made to them.

Policy Recommendations

Develop Tailored Settlement Programs: Create specific settlement programs addressing the unique needs of international students, particularly South Asian students, to facilitate their integration into Canadian society.

Enhance Collaboration: Foster partnerships between IRCC, provincial agencies, and local settlement organizations to improve resource allocation and support for international students.

Increase Funding for Non-Profits: Allocate additional funding to South Asian-led non-profits to expand their capacity to assist newcomers effectively.

Create more collaboration with Community Organizations: Develop a community-institutions collaboration framework for creating support systems for international students.

Implement Quality Assurance Protocols: Establish rigorous quality assurance measures for post-secondary institutions to ensure they provide the promised diverse and inclusive education.

Evaluate Curriculum Diversity: Require educational institutions to regularly assess and enhance their curricula to include diverse perspectives and internationalized content.

Monitor Private Institutions: Strengthen oversight of private educational institutions to ensure they meet necessary standards and provide comprehensive educational experiences.

Support Extracurricular Opportunities: Encourage institutions to invest in extracurricular activities, leadership development, and networking opportunities for international students.

Facilitate Feedback Mechanisms: Implement systems for international students to provide feedback on their educational experiences, helping institutions improve their offerings.

Engage in Continuous Dialogue: Promote ongoing discussions among government levels and educational stakeholders to address systemic issues in the education system affecting international students.

The post Lack of Supports and Quality Education first appeared on CASSA.

Canada’s immigration policy has effectively created a scenario that benefits the economy without necessitating any substantial support or resources for these temporary residents. This approach not only circumvents allegations of racial discrimination in immigration practices but also generates billions in economic activity, often at the expense of international students’ well-being.

The Canadian government has shown a troubling inconsistency in its regulations governing student work hours, oscillating between permitting 20 and 40 hours of work per week based on labor market demands. Such fluctuations have a direct impact on the living standards and financial stability of international students. Although working longer hours may seem beneficial in theory, it often exacerbates physical and mental health issues. Despite these challenges, many students are drawn to Canada by the prospect of employment opportunities, only to face sudden policy shifts that impose significant financial stress.

The increasing burden of tuition fees, coupled with limited work opportunities, has led to a growing dependency on an exploitative labor market. Over the past two decades, the number of college students in Canada working has surged eightfold, although comprehensive data on those engaged in informal employment remains scarce. Estimates suggest that Canada’s informal economy is approximately $68 billion, a sector where safety and fair treatment are frequently compromised.

Concerningly, many international students do not transition into long-term residency in Canada after completing their studies. Reports indicate that about 70 percent of these students return to their home countries with substantial debt and little tangible benefit from their Canadian education, which, while prestigious, often fails to translate into employment opportunities.

Local employers have increasingly exploited the precarious status of international students, viewing them as a source of cheap labor. Many businesses offer work under the table, taking advantage of the students’ limited ability to work legally. In this context, Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) have become tools of exploitation rather than support. The increase in LMIAs issued in 2023, the highest on record, reflects a system that incentivizes employers to prioritize profit over ethical labor practices.

Furthermore, a burgeoning black market for LMIAs has emerged, with employers reportedly charging between $20,000 to $40,000 for these documents. In addition, fraudulent payroll systems are being utilized to create false employment records, ostensibly to help international students meet immigration requirements and secure pathways to permanent residency.

In conclusion, the situation facing international students in Canada presents a complex interplay of economic benefits and ethical dilemmas. While they contribute significantly to the Canadian economy, the systemic exploitation they face raises important questions about the moral responsibilities of both the government and employers. Addressing these issues requires a concerted effort to reevaluate immigration policies and labor practices to ensure that international students are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Policy Recommendations

• Regulate Work Hours for International Students: Establish consistent and fair regulations regarding work hours for international students, ensuring they can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during studies and full-time during breaks, with clear guidelines that prevent exploitation.
• Implement Minimum Wage Protections: Enforce strict adherence to minimum wage laws for all international students, penalizing employers who fail to comply and ensuring that students are not subjected to underpayment or exploitative labor practices.
• Enhance Support Services: Increase funding for support services that help international students navigate their employment rights, financial literacy, and mental health challenges, ensuring they have access to the resources they need.
• Strengthen Monitoring of Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs): Reform the LMIA process to prevent abuse and exploitation, ensuring that these assessments prioritize ethical labor practices and genuinely reflect labor market needs.
• Combat Informal Employment Practices: Launch initiatives to address the informal economy, providing clear pathways for international students to report exploitative work conditions without fear of jeopardizing their immigration status.
• Raise Awareness Among Employers: Conduct educational campaigns for employers to promote fair labor practices, emphasizing the value of international students as vital contributors to the workforce and the economy.
• Collect Comprehensive Data: Develop a robust framework for collecting data on international students’ employment, working conditions, and transitions to permanent residency to inform policy decisions and address gaps in the current system.
• Establish an Ethical Employment Certification: Introduce a certification program for employers who demonstrate fair labor practices towards international students, promoting ethical employment and creating incentives for compliance.

The post Cheap Labour first appeared on CASSA.

International students are vital to Canada’s future workforce, helping to alleviate significant labor shortages in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. They represent a highly skilled talent pool, particularly in engineering and computer sciences, where their numbers exceed those of domestic students. The proportion of international students working while studying surged from 7% in 2000 to 57% in 2018. Notably, during the economic recovery post-COVID, international students provided crucial support when employers struggled to find and retain necessary workers. After the government lifted the 20-hour work limit for international students, over 500,200 stepped into the labor market, despite the lack of government support during the pandemic.

Policy changes often disrupt students’ ability to work. Current regulations not only restrict their work hours but also complicate their prospects for staying in Canada, leading to a disconnect between labor market needs and immigration policies. This underrepresentation in essential sectors like healthcare and trades poses a risk of losing valuable talent. International students are also strong candidates for permanent residency, constituting nearly 40% of new economic-class immigrants and playing a critical role in addressing projected labor shortages by 2028.

However, the disparity in tuition fees between international and domestic students has widened significantly over the past two decades. In 2002, a first-year international student studying Arts and Humanities at Western University paid $9,300, while a domestic student paid $4,000. By 2023, the cost for international students in the same program surged to $42,233, compared to a modest increase for domestic students, whose tuition rose to $6,050. This stark widening of the tuition gap raises important concerns regarding the treatment of international students, as critics argue that educational institutions often view them as “commodities” or  “cash cows,” prioritizing revenue generation over their academic success and well-being. Despite their substantial contributions to the economy, many international students report feelings of exploitation and isolation due to inadequate support and resources. As they advocate for better financial assistance and educational quality, these students continue to view Canada as a promising opportunity for a better future, motivated by the potential for permanent residency and the pursuit of higher education. As Canada increasingly relies on the financial influx from international students, it is imperative to adopt a balanced approach that prioritizes their support and integration, enhancing their educational experience and enriching the cultural fabric of the province as a whole.

Policy Recommendations

• Establish Fair Tuition Policies: Implement policies to regulate tuition fees for international students, aiming to narrow the gap between domestic and international tuition rates and ensuring affordability.
• Enhance Financial Support Programs: Create targeted financial aid and scholarship programs for international students to alleviate their financial burdens and promote academic success.
• Improve Academic Support Services: Increase funding for academic resources tailored to the needs of international students, including tutoring, mentorship, and counseling services to enhance their educational experience.
• Implement Transparent Reporting Mechanisms: Require institutions to regularly report on the support services available to international students and the outcomes of these programs, ensuring accountability.
• Engage in Stakeholder Dialogues: Organize forums and discussions involving international students, educational institutions, and government bodies to address concerns and collaboratively develop solutions.

The post The Economic Impact and Challenges of International Students first appeared on CASSA.

The Reality of Core Housing Need

The concept of “core housing need” refers to households that live in unaffordable, overcrowded, or otherwise uninhabitable conditions, where adequate housing is unavailable in their area. Currently, approximately 1.5 million Canadian households fall into this category. This staggering number highlights that even if Canada halted immigration tomorrow, the housing needs of those already residing in the country would remain unaddressed. Moreover, many vulnerable groups—such as the homeless, students, and individuals in long-term care facilities—are not even included in this statistic.

Misplaced Blame: International students as a Target

The narrative that links immigration to the housing crisis often overlooks the multifaceted nature of the issue. While it is true that increasing numbers of international students can exert additional pressure on the housing market, they are not the sole contributors. New household formations, including young adults moving out of their family homes and couples divorcing, also play a significant role in driving demand for housing. Historically, immigrants have been scapegoated for housing issues, a trend that continues today, despite the fact that these problems are largely rooted in inadequate government policies.

Since the early 1990s, Canada has lacked a cohesive national housing policy, leaving responsibility to provincial and municipal governments, which often struggle to coordinate effectively. Current data indicates that 16% of new migrant households are in core housing need, a figure higher than the national average. However, no comprehensive data exists regarding the housing needs of students, both international and domestic, due to past policy decisions that excluded them from assessments of housing need.

 The Struggles of International Students

Reports state that at the beginning of the new academic year, approximately 30 students at Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario, staged a protest to highlight the lack of accommodations available to international students. Their plight is emblematic of a broader issue facing approximately 300 international students at Canadore and Nipissing University, who struggle to find adequate housing in the region. Some students have resorted to sleeping in tents due to the lack of affordable options, a situation that underscores the urgent need for institutional support.

International students face significant challenges, including financial strain due to limited resources and high tuition fees, which often force them to compromise on essential living expenses, negatively affecting their academic performance and mental health. They frequently encounter discrimination in the housing market, leading to precarious living situations that can be overcrowded or substandard. This isolation is compounded by their unfamiliarity with local neighborhoods, making it difficult to find community support. Additionally, many lack knowledge of their tenant rights and the nuances of the housing market, which can result in exploitative situations and added stress during their housing search.

The housing crisis in Canada requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond blaming immigration and acknowledges the valuable contributions of immigrants and international students. Effective solutions should include policy advocacy to increase affordable housing availability for vulnerable populations, enhanced institutional support from colleges and universities to help international students navigate the housing market, and community engagement initiatives to foster connections between students and local residents. These strategies aim to address systemic housing issues while promoting inclusivity and support for all affected individuals.

The Liberal government introduced a national housing strategy in 2017 aimed at revitalizing Ottawa’s role in building social housing, and in 2019, legislation was passed declaring housing a human right. However, critics point out that the strategy neglects to address the needs of students, raising concerns about their exclusion from discussions on the housing market.

 Scapegoating immigrants and international students for the housing crisis only distracts from the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. By addressing the systemic issues that contribute to housing insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations, Canada can work toward a more equitable and inclusive housing landscape. Recognizing the value of immigrants in enriching the social and economic fabric of the country is essential as we seek to create a society where everyone has access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing

Policy Recommendations

• Develop a National Housing Strategy: Create a comprehensive national housing policy that explicitly addresses the needs of both domestic and international students, ensuring equitable access to safe and affordable housing.
• Increase Affordable Housing Supply: Implement measures to boost the availability of affordable housing options, prioritizing vulnerable populations, including international students.
• Conduct Inclusive Research: Commission studies to gather data on the housing needs of international and domestic students, ensuring their voices are included in assessments of housing demand.
• Enhance Institutional Support: Encourage educational institutions to establish dedicated housing offices to assist international students in navigating the housing market and understanding their tenant rights.
• Promote Community Engagement: Initiate programs that connect international students with local residents, fostering community support and reducing isolation.
• Implement Anti-Discrimination Measures: Strengthen policies that combat discrimination in the housing market to protect international students and ensure equitable treatment.
• Raise Awareness of Tenant Rights: Provide resources and workshops to educate international students about their rights as tenants and the local housing market.
• Facilitate Temporary Housing Solutions: Establish temporary accommodation options for international students during their transition to permanent housing, helping to alleviate immediate pressures.
• Integrate Housing Policy with Immigration Strategy: Ensure that housing policies are aligned with immigration strategies to address the needs of newcomers and prevent misattribution of housing challenges to immigration.

The post The Housing Crisis in Canada: International Students as a Scapegoat first appeared on CASSA.

Many myths surrounding immigration policies, job opportunities, financial realities, and Canadian culture contribute to this misinformation. While some students conduct their own research, a large number rely on immigration and education consultancy agencies to navigate the complex landscape of admissions and visa processes. Unfortunately, these agencies frequently misrepresent the Canadian education system as an easy pathway to employment and permanent residency, leading many students to prioritize obtaining a student visa over genuine academic interest. Although more international students are obtaining permanent residency, the numbers remain low compared to the large influx of students each year, with over half leaving Canada after their work permits expire. The precarious nature of the job market is often not discussed during consultations, leaving students unprepared for the reality that few secure well-paying jobs that match their qualifications. Most programs offered to international students, particularly in business and management, do not align with labor market demands, which increasingly favor graduates in STEM and vocational fields. As a result, students often find themselves entering a job market that does not value their skills, a critical issue that recruitment agencies typically overlook.

Consequently, many students enroll in programs for which they have little enthusiasm, often selected for them by these agencies. In some cases, students are admitted to programs they have never researched, and reports of fraudulent offer letters and forged documents are alarmingly common. The financial burden placed on students is exacerbated by a lack of transparency regarding the total costs involved in admission and visa processes.

Moreover, the expectation that students can easily earn enough to cover tuition and living expenses through part-time work is misleading. Many are unaware of the types of jobs available and the restrictions on working hours, which can lead to severe financial stress and hinder their academic performance. The precarious nature of the Canadian job market is rarely discussed during consultations, leaving students unprepared for the realities they will face upon arrival.

The role of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in this context raises critical questions. Reports indicate that the IRCC has approved numerous student applications based on fraudulent documentation, resulting in deportations once the false nature of the admissions was discovered. This situation has particularly affected many Indian students, who only learned of their institutions’ illegitimacy long after completing their degrees. In 2022, the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) issued a deportation notice  to 700 Indian students underscores the need for more stringent oversight and a more thorough examination of documentation. By the time students discover that their admission letters are invalid, they may have already expended substantial financial resources pursuing their aspirations in Canada. This situation prompts critical inquiries into whether the apparent negligence in document verification was a result of intentional oversight on the part of the government.

Furthermore, a significant disconnect exists between the federal and provincial governments regarding immigration, education, and housing policies. While immigration falls under federal jurisdiction, education is managed at the provincial level, and housing is overseen by municipalities. This lack of coordination contributes to the infrastructural challenges Canada currently faces, as the influx of international students has not been matched by adequate housing and educational facilities.  There are no statistics around the growing need for housing and the job market resulting from the high intake of international students. Many private colleges struggle with insufficient classroom and extracurricular space, depriving students of a fulfilling campus experience.

The portrayal of Canadian life in advertisements and social media often paints an unrealistic picture, neglecting the struggles that many international students endure. The narrative of diversity and multiculturalism, while appealing, fails to address the systemic issues of racism, discrimination, and Islamophobia that persist within Canadian society. This oversight highlights the urgent need for institutions to provide prospective students with a more balanced view of what to expect, including potential challenges.

To foster a genuinely inclusive environment, it is crucial for all stakeholders—government, educational institutions, and consultancy agencies—to engage in transparent practices that prioritize the well-being of international students. By bridging the information gap and addressing systemic barriers, Canada can enhance its reputation as a truly welcoming destination for all.

 Policy Recommendations

• Establish Transparent Information Channels: Create accessible resources detailing the realities of studying in Canada, including immigration policies, job market conditions, and financial expectations.
• Regulate Education Consultancy Agencies: Enforce stricter regulations to ensure accurate representation of the Canadian education system and prevent misinformation.
• Enhance Collaboration Across Levels of Government: Coordinate federal, provincial, and municipal efforts to align housing, education, and immigration policies with the influx of international students.
• Improve Oversight of Admissions Processes: Strengthen document verification by IRCC to prevent fraudulent applications and protect students from deportation and financial loss.
• Increase Support for Job Market Preparation: Provide resources and workshops to help students understand the Canadian job market and align their studies with labor market demands, particularly in STEM fields.
• Promote Realistic Financial Guidance: Offer clear information on tuition, living expenses, and potential part-time income to prepare students for financial realities.
• Create Feedback Mechanisms: Implement systems for international students to share feedback on their experiences for ongoing improvements.
• Implement Inclusive Marketing Practices: Ensure promotional materials accurately reflect the challenges of international students, including systemic issues like racism.
• Support Mental Health and Well-Being: Invest in mental health resources tailored to the unique pressures faced by international students in Canada.

The post Addressing the Information Gap for International Students in Canada first appeared on CASSA.

Historically, Canadian immigration policy has been influenced by labor market needs, often reflecting racial discrimination and exclusion. Canada has a complex legacy of rejecting certain groups—such as Panjabis, Eastern Europeans, Jews, Chinese, and Blacks—while initially favoring immigrants from British or Western European backgrounds. Over time, the need for labor forced the country to diversify its immigration strategies, albeit often in response to local resistance. Such historical patterns indicate that when labor was required, policies shifted to invite workers from countries like India and China. However, when societal pressures mounted, the government frequently resorted to caps or bans (sometimes in the form of head tax or sometimes in the form of a cap on international students or immigrants), demonstrating a willingness to exclude or deport temporary residents when convenient.

The inclusion of international students began in earnest after the 1960s, when Canada sought to eliminate racial discrimination from its immigration framework to meet immigration targets. Although international students initially lacked robust policy support, their economic contributions became increasingly recognized. Nonetheless, this focus remained primarily on addressing immediate labor market needs rather than fostering long-term community integration.

The evolution of policies governing international students reflects a broader anti-immigrant sentiment, where newcomers are often scapegoated for existing societal issues such as job shortages, housing crises, and crime surges. Despite being valuable contributors to the Canadian educational landscape—enriching it with diverse cultural perspectives—international students face undue blame for systemic issues. The government’s unplanned increase in international student admissions, without sufficient infrastructure and support, has exacerbated resource and housing challenges. Anti-immigration rhetoric frequently claims that immigrants are “stealing jobs” or causing crimes. Most importantly, the lack of adequate laws and measures to monitor online hate has led to a significant increase in anti-South Asian sentiment on social media, resulting in mental, social, and often physical distress for these students..  Many regions, particularly Waterloo, have seen a significant rise in hate crimes targeting international students. Rather than addressing the core issues within Canadian society, policies tend to shift blame onto these students, fueling anti-international sentiment. This approach underscores a troubling tendency to scapegoat “outsiders” rather than confronting the systemic problems that demand real solutions.

As Canada continues to grapple with its identity as a multicultural nation, it is crucial to reassess how international students are treated and acknowledged within the broader socio-economic landscape.

Recommendations for Government Policy

Promote Awareness Campaigns: Launch national campaigns showcasing the cultural, economic, and academic contributions of international students to counter negative perceptions.

Enhance Support Infrastructure: Invest in housing, healthcare, and academic resources tailored to the needs of international students for effective integration.

Implement Community Engagement: Facilitate programs that promote interaction between international students and local communities to foster understanding and reduce xenophobia.

Establish Clear Immigration Policies: Develop transparent policies prioritizing the long-term integration of international students as valued members of society.

Strengthen Anti-Discrimination Laws: Enforce and expand legislation to protect international students from harassment and discrimination.

Monitor Policies: Regularly assess the impact of policies on international students to promote inclusion and address root causes of anti-international sentimen

Develop Reporting Mechanisms: Create confidential systems for international students to report discrimination or harassment, ensuring accountability.Enhance Mental Health Services: Provide accessible mental health resources addressing the unique challenges faced by international students.

The post The Rising Anti-International Sentiment in Canada: A Critical Examination first appeared on CASSA.

Several factors contribute to the overwhelming pressures faced by these students, including significant financial burdens, inflation, demanding schedules, culture shock, social isolation, discrimination, housing crises, and language barriers. These vulnerable students are profoundly affected by unexpected realities, often leading to severe mental health challenges. The stigma surrounding mental health in South Asia often prevents students from understanding how to seek help.

Many arrive in Canada unprepared and unaware of the complexities of the socio-economic landscape, which can lead to feelings of exhaustion and distress as they attempt to realize their Canadian dream. Unfortunately, Canadian educational institutions and government settlement programs often lack adequate resources to support these students in navigating their mental health struggles. The limited services available frequently fail to be culturally appropriate, inclusive, or sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of South Asian students.

Barriers such as language, ethnicity, and the biases of healthcare providers can further hinder access to mental health support. Additionally, the health insurance plans available to international students typically do not provide sufficient coverage for mental health services. The repercussions of this situation extend beyond academic retention and success; they can lead some students to substance use disorders or even tragic outcomes.

It is imperative that insurance coverage be expanded to include comprehensive mental health support. Institutions should prioritize offering culturally sensitive and accessible counseling services, along with promoting awareness campaigns that educate both students and faculty about mental health issues. Creating safe spaces for open dialogue and regularly checking in on students’ well-being can foster a supportive environment that encourages help-seeking behavior.

Policy Recommendations:

To take meaningful actions to support the mental health of South Asian international students, CASSA recommends the following actions by Government, educational institutes and community partners to be taken so that students feel heard, understood, and supported in their academic journeys.

1. Expand Mental Health Insurance Coverage: Ensure comprehensive coverage for therapy, counseling, and emergency mental health services in international student insurance plans.
2. Culturally Sensitive Counseling Services: Prioritize funding for culturally appropriate mental health resources, including hiring trained counselors familiar with South Asian experiences.
3. Awareness and Education Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate students, faculties and staff on mental health issues, emphasizing help-seeking and stigma reduction through workshops and informational sessions.
4. Create Safe Spaces for Dialogue: Establish environments for open discussions about mental health, including peer support groups and regular check-ins to normalize help-seeking behaviors.
5. Improve Accessibility of Services: Provide mental health resources in multiple languages and offer online counseling options to reduce language and stigma barriers.
6. Enhance Training for Healthcare Providers: Include cultural sensitivity and recognition of mental distress in training programs for healthcare providers and educators.
7. Incorporate Student Feedback: Regularly gather input from international students on mental health services to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
8. Foster Community Engagement: Partner with local South Asian organizations to create support networks and resources beyond campus.
9. Implement Comprehensive Support Programs: Develop programs addressing broader challenges, such as financial literacy workshops, housing assistance, and social integration initiatives.

The post Addressing the Mental Health Crisis Among South Asian International Students in Canada first appeared on CASSA.

Challenges that International Students might consider before Arrival:

• Language Barrier: Studying in a foreign language is the biggest challenge for an international student. Language barrier not only disadvantages students in their classroom learning, interaction and performances and assessments, but also hinders their social interactions and extracurricular activities. Therefore, students should explore all linguistic and academic services and resources that their institutions provide for international students. Most importantly, students should develop a strong linguistic skill in English before they endeavor higher education in Ontario, Canada.  
• Culture Shock & Shift: The differences in food, social customs and norms, and communication strategies pose a great challenge to international students’ acculturation into Canadian cultures, which in result causes social isolation and burn out feelings. International students center in students’ institutions can help them navigate this difficult situation. 
• Financial Burden: Even though students come to Canada knowing the high tuition fees that they have to pay for their programs, many might not be fully aware of the high living cost, price hike for daily needs, and limited opportunities for part time work for students in Canada. The financial challenges often intensify students’ psychological struggle to cope up with the new culture and social life since they might have to spend most of their time to figure out their financial means. Therefore, students should plan the budgets on both tuition fees and living expenses in Canada before their arrival. They should also explore the part time job opportunities. Many universities offer work study options within the campus. Most renowned institutions also offer bursaries and financial support that international students might be eligible to apply for.
• Housing: Difficulties to rent a place, high renting cost, lack of campus housing options, and insufficient clean, safe, and well-maintained residences have been causing many problems for international students in Canada. In addition, sharing a living space with roommates may lead to conflicts and negative impact on students’ academic performances as well as mental health. Therefore, students must finalize their accommodation arrangement before they fly to Canada. This might require extra financial arrangements too. Many universities and colleges have their dorms or student housing options, for which students may have to apply even before they get confirmation of their admission. 
• Social Abuse and Difficulty in Social Integration: International students may face discrimination, prejudices, harassment, and microaggression based on their race, ethnicity, language, nationality, or religion, which make them feel humiliated and excluded. These social abuses make their journey more difficult. Students should be aware that such abuses exist in Canada even though the country is very welcoming for immigrants and international students. However, Canada also has structural support to address these abuses, which students should explore.
• Time Management and Adaptation to New Lifestyles: International students will need to adapt to new time management strategies in order to balance their academic work with other life responsibilities. Apart from the regular life responsibilities for which they have no support here, most students have to work to manage their tuition fees and living costs as well. Such a lifestyle affects their academic performances as well as limits their opportunities to have a healthy social life. So, students should be prepared to adapt to new lifestyles that might be full of new challenges. Skills on driving, cooking, and working might be needed simultaneously with academic performances.
• Academic Expectation & Learning Style: Students identifying with different cultural backgrounds may have individualized understandings of class performance and interactions, academic honesty, and good writing skills. The new standard for academic performance is difficult to adjust with promptly. Students who are used to different power dynamics in the class and learning styles may struggle to keep up with the expected academic performance and progression. Most institutions have services and resources to support students on how to navigate academic challenges and expectations. Students should explore these resources and if needed, reach out to the instructors directly. Academic advisors are the best persons to reach out for such support.
• Health care: Given the expensive health insurance and limited coverage that most post-secondary institutes have for international students, they often do not receive the needed health care. Moreover, the existing health care services in Canada such as long waiting time, insufficient health care workers, and Canadian health care protocol increases the crisis for these students. Also, the limited or no mental health support that the higher education institutions provide to international students intensifies the mental health crisis further. Every student must consider having health insurance even though it costs extra money. Also, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and food habit can avoid many health hazards in the long run.
• Homesickness: Missing family and friends are expected for these students; however, homesickness can be intensified by the social and cultural isolation and the difficulties to adjust into the new country’s culture and norms that they experience. Being in touch with family members and friends back home as well as building up a social life in Canada is crucial for mental health. 
• Canadian Weather: Students usually find Canadian winter very harsh and difficult to cope up with. Many students, especially South Asian students who are not used to such cold winters, find it extreme and lonely. While it takes a lot of time to get used to this weather, students have to commute and attend to their academic requirements as well as financial arrangements. While getting used to the harsh winter weather takes time, precautions can be taken to avoid sickness, injuries, and accidents. Timely flu shots, appropriate clothes and layering, and right winter boots can help someone a long way.
• Disconnected Curriculum and Academic Environment: Although Canadian higher education has a reputation for maintaining a high standard curriculum and post-secondary environment, the curriculum, university culture, and overall environment are highly Westernized and hardly recognize the diverse backgrounds these students have. Very little academic and pedagogical resources have been created to provide academic support to international students. Students struggle academically and feel disconnected, left out, and excluded. Although students cannot change curriculum, they can share their opinions and perspectives inside and outside the classroom which will create awareness in the academia, as well as boost their confidence.

Challenges Faced by International Students in Canada has discussed some of these barriers which current and upcoming international students might find beneficial to explore in advance to navigate the challenges that they might encounter in Canada.

Impact on Mental Health

Facing all these challenges in a foreign country may have a huge impact on the mental health of these young students. Also, many cultures across the world have social stigma connected to mental health. When it comes to mental health, most international students do not speak openly about their well-being. They remain silent; they hide and often push themselves harder to survive. Many students do not even share their states with their family back home since they think it will worry their parents more. Also, they hardly have anyone here to speak to. Although most post-secondary institutions have some support system for students’ mental health, that support is not enough and is not culturally responsive or sensitive to the unique needs of a diverse group of students. In fact, language barriers, cultural understanding about mental health, and financial crisis can make accessing these supports more difficult. The consequence is not connected to students’ retention, success, and progression only; it often leads some helpless students to drug addiction or substance use disorder, even to an unexpected death. Multiple news and reports have indicated an increasing suicide rate for many South Asian students, especially Panjabi students in Canada.

What to Do (actions) 

Proper research, planning, and preparation can ease many of the difficulties mentioned above, if not all. Some measures have been mentioned above. The following are the gist of some major actions that should be considered while planning to study in Canada:

• Explore the university and the city websites, social media posts, and all other relevant websites to know about the culture, norms, and environment.
• Budget and plan about the financial expenses. Please do not plan for the tuition fees only; plan for the living expenses too.
• Do not plan to earn the tuition fees and living expenses by working in Canada.
• Explore information on work opportunities thoroughly.
• Reach out to the university and other students for authentic information on academic and social life in Canada.
• Work on language and social communication skills.
• Do not rely entirely on the agent’s information and social media posts.
• Explore the resources and services that the institution, city, and the different communities provide.
• Please explore and investigate all information thoroughly by yourself and be critical while making the decision.
• Reach out to people or different community supporters or college/university designated information.
• Build up a healthy social life once you are in Canada.

Campus Mental Health has many resources and toolkits to self-assess or navigate such situations.

Studying in Canada should be the most beautiful and precious decision in a student’s life, not the other way around.

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